Sports Today Wednesday, September 16
← Back to today’s slate MLB matchup · September 16, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers
92-59 · 1st in NL West
Offense cooling lately
LHP Blake Snell · Elite strikeout stuff
@
Cincinnati Reds
70-81 · 5th in NL Central, 24 GB
Bats heating up
LHP Andrew Abbott · Pitches to contact
MLB · Great American Ball Park · 3:40 PM PT

Team Identity

Los Angeles Dodgers
Season-to-date, 150 games, 5,892 PA.
A patient, contact-oriented offense that works counts and draws walks. The offense has cooled off recently.
Power
Above Avg83
Contact
Elite92
Plate Discipline
Elite92
Speed
Below Avg35
RISP
Elite91
Recent Form
Trending Down
Hit rate is down 17% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.
Cincinnati Reds
Season-to-date, 150 games, 5,819 PA.
A balanced offense without a standout strength or glaring weakness. The bats have been heating up lately.
Power
Average57
Contact
Well Below3
Plate Discipline
Average66
Speed
Average57
RISP
Well Below7
Recent Form
Trending Up
Hit rate is up 8% 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

Blake Snell strikes hitters out at a 30.7% clip (96th percentile); Reds carry a 24.5% strikeout rate.

Momentum

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

Key Matchups

Can Blake Snell miss enough bats?
Blake Snell strikes hitters out at a 30.7% clip (96th percentile); Reds carry a 24.5% strikeout rate.
Edge · Blake SnellBlake Snell: 30.7% K rateReds: 24.5% K rateModerate confidence
Can Andrew Abbott miss enough bats?
Andrew Abbott strikes hitters out at a 17.0% clip (19th percentile); Dodgers carry a 19.9% strikeout rate.
Edge · DodgersAndrew Abbott: 17.0% K rateDodgers: 19.9% K rateHigh confidence
Can Andrew Abbott limit Dodgers' power?
Dodgers rank in the 83rd percentile in extra-base production, while Andrew Abbott sits in the 33rd percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · DodgersDodgers: 0.360 TB/PAAndrew Abbott: 0.367 TB/PA allowed (705 PA)High confidence
Can Blake Snell limit Reds' power?
Reds rank in the 57th percentile in extra-base production, while Blake Snell sits in the 99th percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · Blake SnellReds: 0.340 TB/PABlake Snell: 0.181 TB/PA allowed (166 PA)Moderate confidence
Can Andrew Abbott command the strike zone?
Dodgers walk in 9.8% of trips; Andrew Abbott allows walks at a fairly typical rate (9.8%).
Edge · DodgersDodgers: 9.8% walk rateAndrew Abbott: 9.8% walks allowedHigh confidence

Pitcher Trends

Blake Snell
Blake Snell
Los Angeles Dodgers · 7 starts
SP
Strikeouts7.3/start
Hits allowed3.6/start
6+ Strikeouts — 5 of last 64 or fewer Hits Allowed — 5 of last 6
31% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.
Andrew Abbott
Andrew Abbott
Cincinnati Reds · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts3.2/start
Hits allowed6.0/start
7+ Hits Allowed — 4 of last 64 or fewer Strikeouts — 3 of last 6
17% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.

Player Trends

Teoscar Hernandez
Teoscar Hernandez
Los Angeles Dodgers · 0.314 hit rate · 0.571 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L108 / 10L2518 / 25
Total bases per PA is up 61% over his prior baseline, with hits in 7 of his last 9 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 20%.
Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz
Cincinnati Reds · 0.378 hit rate · 0.867 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L54 / 5L109 / 10L2521 / 253-game hit streak
Total bases per PA is up 115% over his prior baseline, with hits in 9 of his last 10 games.
Eugenio Suarez
Eugenio Suarez
Cincinnati Reds · 0.237 hit rate · 0.579 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L106 / 10L2514 / 253-game hit streak
Total bases per PA is up 67% over his prior baseline, with hits in 6 of his last 9 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 16%.
Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman
Los Angeles Dodgers · 0.040 hit rate · 0.040 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L51 / 5L103 / 10L2513 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 90% over his prior baseline, with hits in 1 of his last 6 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 24%.
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%.
JJ Bleday
JJ Bleday
Cincinnati Reds · 0.095 hit rate · 0.119 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L103 / 10L2510 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 66% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 10 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 36%.

Players Positioned to Succeed

77
Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz
1+ Hit
Cincinnati Reds
Why it stands out
Consistently reaching base
Main risk
Recent hit rate has cooled
74
Nathaniel Lowe
Nathaniel Lowe
1+ Hit
Cincinnati Reds
Why it stands out
Low recent strikeout rate
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
74
Teoscar Hernandez
Teoscar Hernandez
1+ Hit
Los Angeles Dodgers
Why it stands out
Recent contact results are improving
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
74
Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts
1+ Hit
Los Angeles Dodgers
Why it stands out
Strong recent plate-appearance volume
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
69
Andy Pages
Andy Pages
1+ Hit
Los Angeles Dodgers
Why it stands out
Low recent strikeout rate
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
69
Sal Stewart
Sal Stewart
1+ Hit
Cincinnati Reds
Why it stands out
Low recent strikeout rate
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted

Expected Game Shape

Power-orientedModerate confidence

Both lineups can change the game with one swing. Reds bring stronger recent momentum. Dodgers bring more power.

Early edge Dodgers Driver Extra-base damage Volatility Elevated
  • Both probable starters grade around the 56th percentile in combined suppression.
  • Dodgers are trending down; Reds are trending up.

Storylines to Watch

Can Reds handle Blake Snell's strikeout stuff?
Reds have been a below-average contact team while Blake Snell misses bats at an above-average rate — a swing factor early.
Reds contact percentile: 3
Can Freddie Freeman snap out of it?
Freddie Freeman has cooled off. Total bases per PA is down 90% over his prior baseline, with hits in 1 of his last 6 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 24%.
0.040 hit rate · 0.040 TB/PA · 0.257 hit rate · 0.392 TB/PA
Is Teoscar Hernandez the one to watch?
Teoscar Hernandez enters as Dodgers' hottest bat. Total bases per PA is up 61% over his prior baseline, with hits in 7 of his last 9 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 20%.
0.314 hit rate · 0.571 TB/PA · 0.225 hit rate · 0.355 TB/PA
Based on plate appearances before 2026-09-16, with today's posted lineups when available. Injuries, weather, bullpen availability, and park factors are not yet included.