# Dodgers vs Reds: De Paula leads off as Will Smith sits

> Fresh off clinching a playoff spot, the Dodgers send Yamamoto against Lowder with a reshuffled lineup and a first-round bye in sight.
- Title: Dodgers vs Reds: De Paula leads off as Will Smith sits
- Summary: Fresh off clinching a playoff spot, the Dodgers send Yamamoto against Lowder with a reshuffled lineup and a first-round bye in sight. With a postseason spot…
- Keywords: dodgers, reds, mlb, yoshinobu yamamoto, lineup, sports, Paula, leads, Smith, sits, Los Angeles Dodgers On SI
- Source: Los Angeles Dodgers On SI — https://si.com/mlb/dodgers/onsi/dodgers-lineup-vs-reds-josue-de-paula-leading-off-will-smith-out
- Published: 2026-09-15T19:01:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dodgers, reds, mlb, yoshinobu yamamoto, lineup, sports
## Playoff spot locked up
Monday's 4-1 win over the Reds clinched a postseason berth for the Dodgers. Next up: winning the NL West and grabbing one of the top two NL seeds.
## Why the bye matters
Dave Roberts says a first-round bye would give a banged-up roster a full week to reset, but the team still has to win down the stretch to earn it.

> given all the tax and where our guys are health-wise, to get that week would be huge.
## Skubal set the tone
Tarik Skubal threw seven dominant innings in the series opener, and Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker both went deep.
## Yamamoto gets the ball
Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts Tuesday with a 2.62 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 172 innings. Last week he held the Reds to one run over seven innings with 10 strikeouts.
## Eyes already on October
Yamamoto wants to use the rest of the regular season to stay sharp and treat every remaining start as a tune-up for the playoffs.

> I just want to take it one at a time to help myself get ready for October.
## Lowder needs a rebound
Reds righty Rhett Lowder faces the Dodgers again after giving up seven runs in 3.1 innings last Wednesday. He is 6-10 with a 5.81 ERA this season.
## De Paula moves to leadoff
Josue De Paula bats first as the designated hitter, followed by Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernández.
## Freeman back, Smith out
Freeman returns to the lineup despite his knee injury. With Will Smith out, Hunter Feduccia catches and Alex Freeland plays second base, batting ninth.
## How to watch
First pitch is 3:40 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Sept. 15, on SportsNet LA and the MLB app. For radio, it's AM570 in English or KTNQ 1020 AM in Spanish.
## Key takeaway

With a postseason spot locked, the Dodgers are now playing for the NL West and a top-two seed, and the rest week that comes with it.