The San Francisco Giants head to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, September 18 for a late-season NL West clash against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with first pitch scheduled for 10:15 PM ET. Cesar Perdomo takes the ball for San Francisco against Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow. With the calendar turning deep into September, every game in this division carries weight, and a road trip to Los Angeles is never a casual affair. Giants fans can catch the action on Apple TV or tune in to KNBR 680.
Giants vs. Dodgers Game Preview: Friday, September 18, 2026
Pitching Matchup: Perdomo vs. Glasnow
Cesar Perdomo gets the start for the Giants in what figures to be a demanding assignment. Pitching in Los Angeles is a challenge for any arm, and facing the Dodgers lineup — one of the most consistent offensive forces in the National League — requires command and composure. Perdomo will need to manage the strike zone and limit the big inning if San Francisco is going to have a chance to steal a win on the road.
On the other side, Tyler Glasnow is a legitimate frontline starter when healthy and on his game. His combination of fastball velocity and breaking ball depth gives opposing lineups real problems, particularly early in games. The Giants will need disciplined at-bats and a willingness to work deep into counts to have any shot at chasing him.
Keys to Watch for the Giants
- Perdomo's command early: Walks and free passes will be punished by the Dodgers. Perdomo needs to attack the zone and get ahead in counts from the first inning on.
- Capitalizing on traffic: Against a pitcher like Glasnow, the Giants may not get many baserunners. When they do get on, they cannot afford to strand them with poor situational hitting.
- Bullpen management: If Perdomo is pulled early, the Giants' relief corps will face significant pressure in a road environment. Getting at least five or six innings from the starter is important.
- Defensive sharpness: Dodger Stadium rewards clean defense. Any miscues behind Perdomo could turn a manageable inning into a multi-run disaster.
Broadcast Information
The game airs on Apple TV and is available in English on KNBR 680 and in Spanish on 1510 AM KSFN.
Prediction
This is a tough spot for the Giants. Glasnow at home, late in September, presents a genuine challenge for a road lineup. Perdomo will need to deliver one of his better outings to keep San Francisco in it through the middle innings. The Dodgers have the edge on paper in this one. Giants are capable of making it competitive, but the pitching matchup favors Los Angeles. Dodgers 5, Giants 3.
