The Los Angeles Dodgers return to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, September 7 to host the Cincinnati Reds in a regular season matchup with first pitch scheduled for 9:10 PM ET. Cincinnati will send right-hander Chase Burns to the mound, while the Dodgers have yet to announce their probable starter. With the calendar deep into September, every game carries weight in the standings, and this home date gives Los Angeles a chance to take care of business in front of the Chavez Ravine faithful.
Probable Pitchers: Chase Burns Starts for Cincinnati, Dodgers TBA
Chase Burns gets the ball for the Reds. The hard-throwing right-hander has been one of the more closely watched arms in Cincinnati's rotation, and he presents a genuine challenge for any lineup. His stuff plays, and the Dodgers will need to work counts and manufacture traffic against him early before his pitch count climbs.
The Dodgers have not yet named their starter for Monday. That absence of an announced arm is worth monitoring in the hours before first pitch — manager Dave Roberts could be managing a bullpen game, holding back a rotation piece, or dealing with a late scratch. Check back for updates as the lineup card takes shape.
Keys to Watch in the Dodgers vs. Reds Matchup
- Dodgers' lineup vs. Burns: Burns can overpower hitters when he's on. Los Angeles will need patient at-bats and a willingness to drive up his pitch count to get into a Cincinnati bullpen that has been stretched at various points this season.
- Dodgers' pitching situation: Until Los Angeles names a starter, this is the biggest variable of the game. A bullpen game requires smart sequencing from Roberts and contributions up and down the staff.
- Home field advantage: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium has been a genuine fortress for Los Angeles. The crowd on a September Monday night can be a factor, especially in tight late-inning situations.
- September roster depth: With expanded rosters in play, both clubs have options. How each manager deploys his bench and relief corps in a close game could determine the outcome.
How to Watch Dodgers vs. Reds on Monday, September 7
The game broadcasts on SportsNet LA for Dodgers fans and Reds.TV for Cincinnati viewers. Radio coverage is available on Dodgers Radio AM570 in English and KTNQ 1020 in Spanish. Reds fans can tune in to WLW 700.
Prediction
Until the Dodgers name their starter, there's a real unknown sitting at the center of this preview. That said, Los Angeles has the lineup depth and home environment to make life difficult for any visiting pitcher. Chase Burns is talented, but a Dodgers offense that knows how to work pitchers will find cracks if given enough at-bats. Give the edge to the Dodgers at home, with the caveat that a bullpen game raises the floor of uncertainty considerably. Dodgers 4, Reds 2.
