The Cincinnati Reds host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, September 14 at Great American Ball Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Nick Lodolo gets the ball for Cincinnati against Tarik Skubal in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup late in the regular season. The Dodgers arrive as one of the National League's marquee franchises, making any home date against Los Angeles a significant test for this Reds club. Catch the game on Reds.TV or WXIX FOX19 locally, or tune in on WLW 700 AM.
Probable Starters: Nick Lodolo vs. Tarik Skubal
Nick Lodolo draws the assignment for the Reds. The left-hander has been one of Cincinnati's most important rotation pieces, and a strong September outing against a lineup of this caliber would be a meaningful statement. Lodolo's ability to generate swings and misses with his fastball-curveball combination will be central to how this game unfolds.
Tarik Skubal makes the trip to Cincinnati for Los Angeles. Skubal is a legitimate front-of-the-rotation arm, and facing him demands discipline from the Reds' offense from the first pitch. He can be dominant when his stuff is working, so the Reds will need to grind at-bats, work counts, and avoid chasing early in counts.
Keys to Watch for the Cincinnati Reds
- Lodolo's command early: Falling behind hitters against a lineup with the Dodgers' offensive depth is a quick path to trouble. If Lodolo can establish his fastball and get ahead in counts, the secondary stuff plays up significantly.
- Offensive patience against Skubal: Skubal is the kind of pitcher who can make a lineup look helpless if hitters expand the zone. The Reds need to make him work, get deep into counts, and look for mistakes over the middle of the plate.
- Bullpen depth: September roster flexibility gives David Bell options out of the bullpen. How long Lodolo goes and when Bell turns to his relievers could determine whether Cincinnati can hold a lead or recover from an early deficit.
- Home crowd energy: Great American Ball Park in September, with playoff positioning on the line across the league, carries genuine weight. The Reds tend to feed off a loud crowd on the banks of the Ohio.
Prediction
This is exactly the kind of game Cincinnati needs to prove it belongs in the same conversation as the NL's best. Lodolo versus Skubal is a genuine pitching duel, and low-scoring affairs like this one often come down to a single swing or a single mistake. The Reds have the horses to make it uncomfortable for any opponent at home. Expect a tight, well-pitched game. Give the edge to Skubal and the Dodgers on paper, but Lodolo and a full Great American Ball Park make Cincinnati a live underdog. Reds 3, Dodgers 2.
