The Los Angeles Dodgers return to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, September 9 to host the Cincinnati Reds in a regular season showdown with first pitch set for 10:10 PM ET. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the ball for Los Angeles against Cincinnati's Rhett Lowder. With the calendar deep into September, every game carries standings weight, and the Dodgers will be looking to take care of business in front of their home crowd against a Reds club making the trip west.
Pitching Matchup: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Rhett Lowder
Yamamoto is the headliner here, full stop. The right-hander from Japan has been one of the most closely watched arms in baseball since arriving in Los Angeles, and a home start at Dodger Stadium is exactly the kind of setting he commands. His stuff — a deep repertoire built around a devastating splitter and a sharp breaking ball — gives opposing lineups fits, and the Reds will need a disciplined approach to get to him.
On the other side, Rhett Lowder draws the start for Cincinnati. The young right-hander has shown he belongs at the big-league level and represents a legitimate challenge for the Dodger lineup. Lowder will need to execute his game plan with precision if the Reds are going to steal one in Los Angeles.
Keys to Watch
- Yamamoto's command: When Yamamoto is throwing strikes early and burying his splitter down in the zone, opposing offenses have very little margin for error. Watch his first-inning efficiency as a barometer for how the night will go.
- Dodgers' lineup vs. a young starter: Los Angeles has the lineup depth to work counts and punish mistakes. If the Dodgers can get into Lowder's pitch count early, the Cincinnati bullpen will be forced into action in a hostile environment.
- Reds' approach at the plate: Cincinnati will need patience and selectivity against Yamamoto. Chasing his secondary stuff out of the zone is a quick way to a short night for their hitters.
- Dodger Stadium atmosphere: A September home date means the crowd will be engaged and loud. Home-field energy is a real factor late in the regular season, and Dodger Stadium in September brings it.
How to Watch and Listen
The game broadcasts on SportsNet LA and Reds.TV. Radio coverage is available on Dodgers Radio AM570 in English, KTNQ 1020 in Spanish, and WLW 700 for Reds fans.
Prediction
Yamamoto at home is a difficult assignment for any team, and the Reds present a beatable matchup for a Dodger lineup with the offensive firepower to support their ace. Lowder is a capable pitcher, but Los Angeles has the edge in this one from the jump. Expect Yamamoto to go deep into the game and the Dodgers to win a relatively clean one. Dodgers 4, Reds 1.
