Multiple series against the same club in such a short time span create a scenario in which specific pitching matchups can be repeated—the case for this battle of southpaws between Tarik Skubal and Nick Lodolo. The prevailing sentiment in cases such as these is that the repeat game can favor the hitter who starts to adapt to the more looks he gets—a mindset that’s not as easily embraced when Skubal is the one doing the pitching.
Brought over for the impact he’d provide in the postseason above all else,
Skubal has been a key factor in helping the Dodgers fight for this playoff bye that comes with one of the top two campaigns in the NL. The Dodgers have won each of Skubal’s last four starts, and they needed every last drop of quality he can provide, considering each one of them was a one-run win—this sequence obviously includes last week’s 3-2 over the Reds. While the Dodgers’ offense had Lodolo on the ropes, it didn’t produce anything in a significant sample against Cincinnati’s bullpen, leading to a close game until the end despite Skubal’s longest outing as a Dodger, covering 7.1 innings.
For those who want to see even more of Josue De Paula following his impressive performance on Sunday, including his first big-league home run, this game and series present some obstacles. Lodolo will be one of two left-handed starters the Reds will utilize in a three-game series against the Dodgers. Then again, even if he occasionally doesn’t start a game here and there, De Paula is a lock to get in on the action at some point given the composure he has displayed in his first few games.
Monday game info
- Teams: Dodgers at Reds
- Ballpark: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
- Start time: 3:40 p.m. PT
- TV: SportsNet LA
- Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
