The Cincinnati Reds host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. Andrew Abbott gets the ball for Cincinnati against Blake Snell in what shapes up as a marquee pitching matchup to close out the regular season stretch. With September baseball carrying real weight in the standings, this is exactly the kind of home game the Reds need to win in front of their fans on the banks of the Ohio.
Starting Pitchers: Andrew Abbott vs. Blake Snell
Abbott is Cincinnati's assignment tonight, and the left-hander has been one of the more compelling stories in the Reds rotation. He's a power arm who can miss bats, and facing a Dodgers lineup of this caliber is a genuine test of where he stands as a starter at this level.
On the other side, Blake Snell is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and one of the most dangerous left-handed starters in baseball when locked in. His stuff — a lively fastball paired with a sweeping breaking ball — can make even disciplined lineups look lost. Cincinnati's hitters will need a plan and the patience to execute it.
Keys to Watch for the Reds
- Abbott's command early: Snell-type outings tend to be decided by whether the opposing starter keeps pace. If Abbott can get through the Dodgers order twice without damage, the Reds have a real chance.
- Working Snell deep into counts: Snell's walk rates have historically been elevated. A disciplined Reds lineup that works deep counts and forces him to throw strikes can open the door to traffic and big innings.
- Great American Ball Park atmosphere: September home games matter. The ballpark can be a genuine factor when the crowd is loud and the Reds are playing meaningful baseball. Cincinnati needs to protect home turf.
- Bullpen management: Both rosters will likely rely on their relief corps at some point. The Reds' ability to navigate the middle innings and hand the ball to their late-game options in a close game could be decisive.
Matchup Breakdown: Reds vs. Dodgers
Los Angeles is perennially one of the National League's deepest and most well-resourced clubs. Their lineup construction and pitching depth present a genuine challenge for any opponent. Cincinnati, playing at home in September, has a clear motivation to show it belongs in these conversations. This is the kind of opponent that reveals where a team actually is — not where it hopes to be.
The Dodgers won't hand anything over. The Reds will have to take it.
Prediction
This one figures to be low-scoring and decided late. Snell is a difficult assignment for any lineup, but Great American Ball Park gives Cincinnati a home-field edge and Abbott is more than capable of keeping it close. Expect a tight game deep into the seventh or eighth inning. If the Reds can scratch across two or three runs and Abbott gives them six solid innings, Cincinnati has the path to win this one. Reds 3, Dodgers 2.
Catch the game on Reds.TV or locally on WLW 700 AM.
