Reds Eye Fourth Straight Series Win Against Dodgers in Crucial September Showdown
All the preseason chatter surrounding the Cincinnati Reds entering September centered on a brutal closing schedule. The team has responded exactly as contenders do: by stacking series victories against playoff-caliber opposition.
Cincinnati opened the month with consecutive series wins over the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers. Coupled with a final-series triumph against the Chicago Cubs in late August, the Reds now ride a three-series winning streak into a matchup with another National League heavyweight.
Series Schedule and Probable Pitchers
On Monday night, the Reds begin a three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Here is everything you need to know before first pitch.
Game 1: Monday — Burns Gets the Nod
The Dodgers have not yet announced a Game 1 starter, but Cincinnati will counter with its ace. Chase Burns (15–3, 2.79 ERA) takes the ball for the series opener. While the organization has signaled that Burns’ workload will be managed carefully down the stretch, the right-hander looks to leave his mark in one of baseball’s most iconic venues.
First pitch: 9:10 p.m. ET
Game 2: Tuesday — Lodolo vs. Skubal
Left-hander Nick Lodolo (3–3, 5.08 ERA) opposes Dodgers lefty Tarik Skubal (8–7, 3.86 ERA) in Game 2. Skubal has logged six or more innings in three of his last five starts; Lodolo has reached that threshold only once in his previous five outings. A frustrating season marred by recurring blister issues could turn on a strong performance Tuesday night.
First pitch: 10:10 p.m. ET
Game 3: Wednesday — Lowder vs. Yamamoto
The series finale features Rhett Lowder (6–9, 5.43 ERA) against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12–8, 2.67 ERA). On paper, the matchup tilts heavily toward Los Angeles, but October baseball often defies paper.
First pitch: 10:10 p.m. ET
Ohtani’s Status: Day-to-Day, Trending Toward Playing
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is managing knee and biceps injuries that have him listed as day-to-day. On Sunday, manager Dave Roberts told Los Angeles Times reporter Maddie Lee that he sees Ohtani being in the lineup on Monday night.
If Cincinnati hopes to extend its winning streak to four series, it will likely have to do so against a Dodgers lineup featuring the game’s most dynamic two-way talent.
This article was originally published on Sports Illustrated as “Reds Seeking Fourth Straight Series Win as They Take on Dodgers in Three-Game Series.”
