Sports Today Thursday, September 17
← Back to today’s slate MLB matchup · September 17, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers
92-60 · 1st in NL West
Offense cooling lately
LHP Justin Wrobleski · Command specialist
@
Cincinnati Reds
71-81 · 5th in NL Central, 24 GB
Offense cooling lately
RHP Brady Singer · Pitches to contact
MLB · Great American Ball Park · 9:40 AM PT

Team Identity

Los Angeles Dodgers
Season-to-date, 152 games, 5,972 PA.
A patient, contact-oriented offense that works counts and draws walks. The offense has cooled off recently.
Power
Above Avg80
Contact
Elite90
Plate Discipline
Elite94
Speed
Below Avg35
RISP
Elite89
Recent Form
Trending Down
Hit rate is down 16% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.
Cincinnati Reds
Season-to-date, 152 games, 5,893 PA.
A balanced offense without a standout strength or glaring weakness. The offense has cooled off recently.
Power
Average57
Contact
Well Below3
Plate Discipline
Average64
Speed
Average55
RISP
Well Below7
Recent Form
Trending Down
Walk rate is down 16% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.

What This Game Is About

Biggest Advantage

Dodgers' offense is defined by being patient, and this game tests whether Reds can match it.

Swing Factor

Dodgers rank in the 80th percentile in extra-base production, while Brady Singer sits in the 10th percentile at suppressing total bases.

Momentum

Dodgers are trending down and Reds are trending down over their last 10 games.

Key Matchups

Can Brady Singer limit Dodgers' power?
Dodgers rank in the 80th percentile in extra-base production, while Brady Singer sits in the 10th percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · DodgersDodgers: 0.359 TB/PABrady Singer: 0.413 TB/PA allowed (704 PA)High confidence
Can Brady Singer miss enough bats?
Brady Singer strikes hitters out at a 17.8% clip (24th percentile); Dodgers carry a 19.9% strikeout rate.
Edge · DodgersBrady Singer: 17.8% K rateDodgers: 19.9% K rateHigh confidence
Can Justin Wrobleski miss enough bats?
Justin Wrobleski strikes hitters out at a 19.9% clip (39th percentile); Reds carry a 24.5% strikeout rate.
Edge · RedsJustin Wrobleski: 19.9% K rateReds: 24.5% K rateHigh confidence
Can Brady Singer command the strike zone?
Dodgers walk in 9.9% of trips; Brady Singer allows walks at a fairly typical rate (8.0%).
Edge · Brady SingerDodgers: 9.9% walk rateBrady Singer: 8.0% walks allowedHigh confidence
Can Justin Wrobleski limit Reds' power?
Reds rank in the 57th percentile in extra-base production, while Justin Wrobleski sits in the 28th percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · RedsReds: 0.340 TB/PAJustin Wrobleski: 0.373 TB/PA allowed (558 PA)High confidence

Pitcher Trends

Justin Wrobleski
Justin Wrobleski
Los Angeles Dodgers · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts6.6/start
Hits allowed6.2/start
6+ Strikeouts — 4 of last 66+ Hits Allowed — 4 of last 6
20% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.
Brady Singer
Brady Singer
Cincinnati Reds · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts4.2/start
Hits allowed6.8/start
8+ Hits Allowed — 3 of last 65 or fewer Strikeouts — 6 of last 6
18% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.

Player Trends

Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz
Cincinnati Reds · 0.341 hit rate · 0.864 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L55 / 5L109 / 10L2522 / 255-game hit streak
Total bases per PA is up 110% over his prior baseline, with hits in 9 of his last 10 games.
Teoscar Hernandez
Teoscar Hernandez
Los Angeles Dodgers · 0.278 hit rate · 0.583 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L107 / 10L2517 / 25
Total bases per PA is up 64% over his prior baseline, with hits in 6 of his last 9 games.
Alex Freeland
Alex Freeland
Los Angeles Dodgers · 0.250 hit rate · 0.429 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L105 / 10L259 / 25
Total bases per PA is up 71% over his prior baseline, with hits in 5 of his last 10 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 18%.
Ke'Bryan Hayes
Ke'Bryan Hayes
Cincinnati Reds · 0.062 hit rate · 0.062 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L51 / 5L104 / 10L2510 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 72% over his prior baseline, with hits in 1 of his last 5 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 50%.
Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman
Los Angeles Dodgers · 0.129 hit rate · 0.129 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L51 / 5L103 / 10L2513 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 67% over his prior baseline, with hits in 2 of his last 7 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 23%.
JJ Bleday
JJ Bleday
Cincinnati Reds · 0.100 hit rate · 0.125 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L103 / 10L2511 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 64% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 10 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 30%.

Players Positioned to Succeed

77
Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz
1+ Hit
Cincinnati Reds
Why it stands out
Batting 2nd, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Elevated recent strikeout rate
73
Sal Stewart
Sal Stewart
1+ Hit
Cincinnati Reds
Why it stands out
Batting 3rd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
69
Teoscar Hernandez
Teoscar Hernandez
1+ Hit
Los Angeles Dodgers
Why it stands out
Batting 4th, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Recent hit rate has cooled
67
Juan Brito
Juan Brito
1+ Hit
Cincinnati Reds
Why it stands out
Batting 5th, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Recent plate-appearance volume is limited
61
Max Muncy
Max Muncy
1+ Hit
Los Angeles Dodgers
Why it stands out
Batting 5th, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Recent hit rate has cooled
61
Dane Myers
Dane Myers
1+ Hit
Cincinnati Reds
Why it stands out
Batting 1st, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Recent hit rate has cooled

Expected Game Shape

Power-orientedModerate confidence

Both lineups can change the game with one swing. Dodgers bring more power.

Early edge Dodgers Driver Extra-base damage Volatility Moderate
  • Both probable starters grade around the 37th percentile in combined suppression.
  • Dodgers are trending down; Reds are trending down.

Storylines to Watch

Can Reds handle Justin Wrobleski's strikeout stuff?
Reds have been a below-average contact team while Justin Wrobleski misses bats at an above-average rate — a swing factor early.
Reds contact percentile: 3
Is Elly De La Cruz the one to watch?
Elly De La Cruz enters as Reds' hottest bat. Total bases per PA is up 110% over his prior baseline, with hits in 9 of his last 10 games.
0.341 hit rate · 0.864 TB/PA · 0.236 hit rate · 0.411 TB/PA
Can Ke'Bryan Hayes snap out of it?
Ke'Bryan Hayes has cooled off. Total bases per PA is down 72% over his prior baseline, with hits in 1 of his last 5 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 50%.
0.062 hit rate · 0.062 TB/PA · 0.137 hit rate · 0.224 TB/PA
Based on plate appearances before 2026-09-17, with today's posted lineups when available. Injuries, weather, bullpen availability, and park factors are not yet included.