Renee: You just lost your eleven-game home winning streak. You just watched Manny Machado slam a homer and drive in three runs to snap it. But here is the twist: Shohei Ohtani is back from the IL, and he is ready to take the mound for Game Four against San Diego. This is not a drill.
Joel: It’s a massive shift in momentum. The Dodgers are sitting at 97-61, still first in the NL West, but that 5-1 loss last night exposed some serious depth issues with the injury list. We have a lot of ground to cover today.
Renee: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast! I’m Renee, and joining me as always is Joel. If you are new here, welcome to the family. We are live on September 24th, 2026, and we are breaking down the final series between the Dodgers and their bitter rivals, the San Diego Padres.
Joel: That’s right. And while the standings might look comfortable on paper, the reality on the field is complicated by a depleted roster and a critical need to close out this series.
Renee: Here is what we are tackling tonight. First, we will break down the pitching matchup for Game Four and whether Ohtani can stabilize the rotation after that rough outing. Second, we will dig into the bullpen usage with Edwin Diaz and the rest of the arms available, plus the impact of those long-term injuries. And third, we will give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction for how this finale ends.
Joel: We also have to talk about the ABS challenge system tracker, because umpire calls have been a hot topic all season, especially in these rivalry games.
Renee: Let’s get right into it. Segment One: The Series and the Pitching Probables. Joel, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Shohei Ohtani returned from the IL since September 8th. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts in Wednesday’s loss. Is he ready to pitch?
Joel: He has to be. We predicted back on Tuesday that he would return and throw at least five strong innings in his first start back. That was the plan. The Dodgers are 97-61, they own the top spot, and they cannot afford to lose their ace again. But looking at the data, his last outing was limited to hitting duties only. Tonight, he is on the mound.
Renee: So he is starting Game Four. Who is the opponent? The Padres are 88-70, second in the NL West. They took sole possession of the top spot in the National League wild-card standings with that win last night. How do you view Ohtani’s stuff coming off the IL?
Joel: It’s risky, Renee. When you come back from a stretch on the IL, especially one that lasted until early September, your velocity and command can be slightly off. However, Ohtani’s plate discipline and launch angle management are elite. Even if his stuff isn’t 100%, his ability to manipulate the bat path is something few pitchers possess. The Dodgers need him to eat innings so the bullpen doesn’t burn out.
Renee: And that brings us to the rest of the rotation. With Gavin Stone, Jake Cousins, Ben Casparius, Brusdar Graterol, Joe Musgrove, and Lucas Giolito all on the 60-Day IL, the Dodgers are thin. Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are there, but they’ve been working heavy minutes. Where does Tarik Skubal fit in here?
Joel: Skubal is a key piece of the puzzle. If the Dodgers want to ensure they don’t drop below .500 in head-to-head matchups, which matters for tiebreakers, they need Skubal to provide stability. But with the current injury list, the manager has to be careful with pitch counts. We saw Tommy Edman and Will Smith homered in a 7-0 victory earlier in the series, so the offense is capable of supporting the staff.
Renee: Right, and remember, the series is tied 1-1. So this game is essentially a winner-take-all scenario for the series sweep. If the Dodgers win, they go 2-1 in the series. If they lose, it’s a split. What is the matchup angle here? Ohtani versus the Padres’ lineup.
Joel: The Padres rely heavily on power. Manny Machado drove in three runs last night. The Dodgers’ defensive positioning needs to be perfect. With Kyle Tucker potentially dealing with injury concerns—we mentioned that in previous episodes—the outfield coverage is vital. Ohtani’s platoon splits suggest he handles left-handed hitters well, but the Padres will try to exploit any rust by targeting outside pitches early.
Renee: So, Ohtani starts. The question is, can he contain Machado? Because if he gives up another big inning, the bullpen is going to be under immense pressure. Let’s move to Segment Two: Key Hitters and Bullpen Questions, plus injuries.
Joel: Let’s talk about the bullpen. It is decimated. You have Edwin Diaz, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips, Charlie Barnes, Jack Dreyer, Cole Irvin, Brock Stewart, and Blake Treinen. That is a lot of arms, but also a lot of uncertainty. How are you managing the relief innings?
Renee: Edwin Diaz is the closer, obviously. But with the high-leverage situations in this rivalry, using Diaz too early could leave you without your best arm for the ninth. We discussed the strategic use of Edwin Diaz in the bullpen in our preview yesterday. Do you think he comes in for the eighth or ninth?
Joel: It depends entirely on the score. If Ohtani goes deep into the game, Diaz is likely saved for the ninth. But if the offense stalls, like it did in that 5-1 loss where they were shut out until late, the manager might bring in Tanner Scott or Alex Vesia to bridge the gap. Vesia’s slider is lethal, but consistency is key.
Renee: And what about the offensive side? Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Enrique Hernandez. Who is the guy the Padres fear most tonight?
Joel: Mookie Betts. He has been on a hot streak. His OBP is crucial for stringing together hits. The Dodgers scored six runs with two outs in that 7-0 win earlier, showing their resilience. Betts excels in those clutch moments. If he gets on base, he forces the pitcher to make mistakes for the guys behind him.
Renee: But wait, there is a major injury concern. Dalton Rushing, Miguel Andujar, and Gavin Sheets are all on the 10-Day IL. Jeremiah Estrada is on the 15-Day IL. That strips away depth significantly. How does that affect the bench strategy?
Joel: It means the starters have to play every day. No resting anyone. Hunter Feduccia and Will Smith are the catchers, but with Sheets and Rushing out, the backup options are limited. This puts more load on Will Smith, who homered recently. He needs to stay fresh defensively while providing offensive spark.
Renee: This is getting intense. The injury list is longer than the active roster almost. Joel, before we get to our final segment, I want to pause for a quick moment. We know what it takes to put out a fresh show every single day, covering every team, every angle. It’s a lot of work, but a handful of supporters makes that possible. If you love the content, please chip in to help keep the show free and daily. Just check the link in the episode description.
Joel: That support keeps the lights on. Thanks for listening. Now, let’s finish this episode.
Renee: Okay, Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction. We have talked about Ohtani, the bullpen, and the injuries. What are the keys for the Dodgers to win Game Four and secure the series victory?
Joel: First, early contact. The Padres’ starter, Michael King, gave up five two-out runs in a 7-0 loss earlier. The Dodgers need to capitalize on mistakes immediately. Second, defensive execution. With the ALB challenge system tracker highlighting umpire inconsistencies, the Dodgers must be sharp on the bases and in the field to avoid cheap runs.
Renee: And third, bullpen management. You cannot overwork them. If Ohtani gives them a solid six innings, you save the high-leverage arms. But if he struggles, you have to trust the next man up. Who do you trust most in that group right now?
Joel: I trust Roki Sasaki if he is called upon. His stuff is electric. But realistically, it’s probably going to be Alex Vesia or Evan Phillips handling the middle relief. Their strikeout rates are high, which is essential against a power-heavy Padres lineup.
Renee: Alright, bold prediction time. We previously predicted the Dodgers would maintain their lead in the NL West despite the injury challenges. We also predicted Ohtani would throw five strong innings. What is your bold prediction for tonight?
Joel: I predict the Dodgers win Game Four by a score of 6-3. Ohtani will pitch seven innings, allowing two runs, and Mookie Betts will hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh. The bullpen holds on, and the Dodgers take the series 2-1.
Renee: I agree with the series win. The momentum will shift back to Los Angeles once Ohtani settles in. The crowd will be loud, and the energy will carry them through. The Dodgers are 97-61 for a reason. They adapt, they overcome, and they win.
Joel: Exactly. They have the talent, even with the injuries. Tonight is about execution. Ohtani on the mound, Betts leading off, and the bullpen ready to close it out.
Renee: That’s it for tonight’s Beatline Podcast Network episode. We covered the pitching matchup, the injury crisis, and the keys to victory against the Padres. Make sure you subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. It helps more fans find the show.
Joel: Share this with a fellow Dodger fan. Let’s get them hyped for Game Four.
Renee: Go Dodgers! See you tomorrow!