The Washington Nationals wrap up the week with a tough road assignment, heading to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium to face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, September 4, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET. Jackson Kent gets the ball for Washington against Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell in what shapes up as a significant pitching matchup in the final month of the regular season. Nationals fans can catch the action on Nationals.TV or tune in locally on WJFK 106.7 The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Kent vs. Snell at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium

Jackson Kent draws one of the toughest assignments any young pitcher can get — taking the mound in Los Angeles against Blake Snell. Kent will need to minimize damage early and keep Washington in a game where the offensive environment is not going to be forgiving. Snell, pitching for one of baseball's marquee franchises, presents a genuine challenge for a Nationals lineup that will need to grind out at-bats and work pitch counts to create opportunities.

With no current ERA or win-loss data available for either starter, the focus shifts to execution on the night. What we do know is that Dodger Stadium is not a neutral site — it's enemy territory, and Kent will have to manage the moment as much as the lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup to Watch

The Dodgers are loading up a lineup that gives Nationals pitching no easy outs. Here's what Kent is walking into:

• Tommy Edman leads off from center field, bringing speed and on-base ability at the top of the order.
• Mookie Betts bats second, now playing shortstop — still one of the most dangerous two-way players in the game.
• Teoscar Hernández slots in third from left field, providing middle-of-the-order thump.
• Will Smith anchors the cleanup spot behind the plate — a legitimate run-producing catcher.
• Max Muncy at third base and Miguel Rojas at second give the Dodgers depth through the six-hole.
• Kyle Tucker bats eighth in right field, which tells you everything about the depth of this lineup — a former All-Star caliber bat batting near the bottom.

There are no soft spots here. Kent will need to be precise with his locations and trust his stuff when the lineup cycles through a second and third time.

Keys to the Game for Washington

Pitch Count and Patience at the Plate

The Nationals' best path to scoring runs against Snell is working deep into counts and forcing the Dodgers bullpen into action. If Washington can make Snell work, the game opens up.

Limit the Big Inning

With a lineup this loaded, one mistake from Kent or the Washington bullpen can turn a close game into a blowout quickly. Sequencing and keeping the ball in the yard will be critical in a park where the Dodgers feel very much at home.

Find Offense Early

Late-game bullpen matchups in Los Angeles tend to favor the home team. The Nationals need to put runs on the board before the Dodgers can lock things down in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.

Prediction

This is a difficult spot for Washington. Facing Blake Snell on the road, in the final month of the regular season, with a lineup that runs nine deep is about as hard as it gets in the National League. The Nationals will need a strong outing from Kent and some timely hitting to have a real shot. Expect a competitive first few innings before the Dodgers' lineup depth takes over. Dodgers 5, Nationals 2.