The Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET. Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the ball for Los Angeles against San Diego's Robbie Ray in a late-season NL West showdown. With September winding down, every game between these two division rivals carries real weight in the standings. Catch it live on SportsNet LA or on Dodgers Radio AM570.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Yamamoto vs. Ray
Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the start for the Dodgers. The right-hander remains one of the most compelling arms in the National League, and getting him on the mound at Dodger Stadium in late September is exactly what this franchise signed him to do. His ability to control the strike zone and sequence pitches across a lineup gives Los Angeles a genuine advantage whenever he takes the bump.
Robbie Ray starts for San Diego. The left-hander has had a winding career path that includes a Cy Young Award, and he gives the Padres a capable arm capable of keeping hitters off balance with his fastball-slider combination. Whether Ray is sharp on a given night can define the tone of an entire game — he has the kind of stuff that can make a Dodgers lineup look overmatched or can be exposed if his command is off.
Keys to Watch in Dodgers vs. Padres
Yamamoto's Command Early
Yamamoto is at his best when he establishes his breaking ball early and keeps hitters guessing. If he's locating that pitch to both sides of the plate in the first two innings, San Diego is going to have a long night. The Padres have a disciplined lineup that won't give away at-bats, so Yamamoto will need to be precise rather than just powerful.
Dodgers Offense Against a Left-Hander
Los Angeles has the lineup depth to handle left-handed pitching, but Ray is not a soft matchup. The Dodgers will need to work counts, look for fastballs they can drive, and avoid chasing his slider when it's working away. Squaring up Ray early in counts is the clearest path to a productive night at the plate.
Bullpen Management
In September, bullpen availability and usage decisions can be as important as the starter. Both managers will be watching pitch counts closely and looking for the right matchups as the game deepens. The team that navigates the middle innings more efficiently typically comes out ahead in tight division games like this one.
Prediction
This is a marquee late-season pitching matchup between two clubs that know each other well. Yamamoto at home is a significant edge for Los Angeles. The Dodgers have the pitching and the lineup construction to control this game from the first inning. Expect a competitive nine innings, but look for the Dodgers to find a way to win a close one in front of their home crowd.
Dodgers 4, Padres 2.
