The Cincinnati Reds welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Great American Ball Park on Thursday, September 17, for a 12:40 PM ET first pitch. Brady Singer gets the ball for the Reds against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski in what figures to be a compelling late-season regular season clash. With September baseball carrying real weight for both clubs, this is exactly the kind of afternoon game that can define the final stretch of a long season. Catch it on Reds.TV or locally on WLW 700 AM.

Pitching Matchup: Brady Singer vs. Justin Wrobleski

Brady Singer carries the load for Cincinnati on Thursday. Singer has been one of the more reliable arms in the Reds rotation this season, and a home start at Great American Ball Park gives him a familiar setting to work with. The Reds will need him to eat innings and keep the Dodgers' lineup from doing what it does best — grind at-bats and punish mistakes.

On the other side, the Dodgers send Justin Wrobleski to the mound. Wrobleski is a younger arm working his way through a Los Angeles organization that has no shortage of pitching depth. He has shown the ability to keep hitters off-balance, so the Reds lineup will need to be patient and look for pitches to drive early in counts.

Cincinnati Reds Starting Lineup

• 1. Dane Myers, CF
• 2. Elly De La Cruz, DH
• 3. Sal Stewart, 1B
• 4. Tyler Stephenson, C
• 5. Juan Brito, 2B
• 6. Matt McLain, SS
• 7. Héctor Rodríguez, RF
• 8. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B
• 9. TJ Friedl, LF

Keys to Watch for the Reds

Elly De La Cruz in the Middle of the Order

De La Cruz slides into the DH spot and bats second, which puts him in position to do damage early and often. His combination of raw power and speed makes him a threat every time he steps to the plate. If he gets going against Wrobleski, this game could open up in a hurry for Cincinnati.

Stephenson Anchoring the Cleanup Spot

Tyler Stephenson batting fourth is a vote of confidence in his ability to produce in run-scoring situations. The Reds need their cleanup hitter to come through when De La Cruz and Sal Stewart set the table. Stephenson has the bat to make that happen.

Singer Setting the Tone Early

The Dodgers are a lineup that can wear down a pitcher over multiple trips through the order. Singer's best path to a quality start is establishing his fastball early, limiting walks, and keeping Los Angeles from stringing together crooked innings in the middle frames. If he can get through six, the Reds bullpen can handle the rest.

Prediction

This is a tough draw — the Dodgers are never an easy out, and Wrobleski is capable of keeping the Reds quiet for stretches. But Singer at home in September, backed by a lineup that includes De La Cruz, Stephenson, and Stewart in the heart of the order, gives Cincinnati a real edge. Reds win a close one, 4-2.