Dodger Stadium (UNIQLO Field) in Los Angeles, California.
First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.
TV coverage includes SportsNet LA and Reds.TV; streaming available via MLB.TV, Fubo, and similar platforms.
Starting Pitchers
Reds: RHP Rhett Lowder (6-9, 5.43 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 90 K in 116.0 IP). Rookie/young starter with elevated ERA and WHIP; has struggled with hard contact and home runs allowed. Facing the Dodgers for the first time this season.
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.67 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 161 K in 165.0 IP). Elite command, strikeout ability, and consistency. One of the stronger starters in the majors this season and a clear mismatch advantage.
Yamamoto holds a significant edge in every major metric.
Venue and Weather
Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA). Forecast: Sunny and warm-to-hot, with highs near 89–93°F. Game-time temperatures (evening) likely in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Southwest winds around 5–10 mph. Near-zero precipitation chance; classic clear Southern California night-game conditions.
Injury Reports
Reds:
Spencer Steer (1B/INF): 10-day IL (wrist).
Michael Toglia (1B): 60-day IL (shoulder).
Blake Dunn (OF): 60-day IL (elbow).
Hunter Greene (SP): 60-day IL (elbow).
Additional notes include Ke’Bryan Hayes and others with shorter-term issues in some reports.
Dodgers:
Dalton Rushing (C): 10-day IL (elbow).
Andy Pages (OF): 10-day IL (hand).
Roki Sasaki (SP): 15-day IL (finger blister).
Longer-term: Multiple bullpen/rotation pieces (shoulder/elbow). Shohei Ohtani has been managed carefully with knee/biceps soreness and was out of the lineup recently but expected available or back in the lineup.
Projected/recent lineups
Reds: Elly De La Cruz (hot recently), Sal Stewart (power/RBI leader), Tyler Stephenson, Eugenio Suárez, Matt McLain, and available outfielders.
Dodgers: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández (hot), Will Smith, Max Muncy, and Shohei Ohtani (status permitting). Key performers: Reds — De La Cruz (speed/power surge), Stewart (31 HR, 100+ RBI). Dodgers — Ohtani (30 HR), Freeman, Betts, Hernández.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Yamamoto (elite stuff/command) vs. Reds power/speed threats (De La Cruz, Stewart). His low WHIP and high K rate make him difficult to square up.
Lowder (higher ERA) vs. Dodgers deep lineup (Betts, Freeman, Ohtani/Hernández). Dodger Stadium can play neutrally but favors the better pitcher and stronger offense in warm conditions.
Recent Team Forms
Reds (last 10: 5-5): Mixed results with solid power (third in MLB in HR) but higher ERA. Dropped the first two games of the series (6-3 and 3-2). Fifth in NL Central. Road mark 33-38.
Dodgers (last 10: 7-3; current six-game home win streak): Strong overall and at home (46-28). First in NL West and playing for seeding. Outscoring opponents in the recent stretch.
Series History
Current series: Dodgers lead 2-0 (won Monday 6-3, Tuesday 3-2). Seeking the sweep. Limited prior 2026 meetings; teams will meet again later in the month.
Betting Trends
Dodgers dominant at home and covering large spreads recently.
Yamamoto’s elite numbers support favorites and potential unders if he goes deep.
Reds’ power can produce runs in streaks, but road struggles and pitching issues limit upset potential.
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds 8.5
Los Angeles Dodgers – 271
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, September 8, 2026
