by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Apr 17, 2025
Game Time: 8:05 pm ET, Friday, April 18, 2025
Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Where to Watch: CW33
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -142, Rangers +120; Over/Under: 8 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -140, Rangers +120; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -140, Rangers +120; Over/Under: 8 runs
Season Record
Los Angeles Dodgers: 14-6 (3rd place, NL West)
Texas Rangers: 11-7 (1st place, AL West)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-5 last 10
Texas Rangers: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Texas Rangers Preview and Analysis
The Dodgers are entering this series off a win and completed the sweep in their 3-game series against the Colorado Rockies 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 14-6 record overall and have a road record of 4-4. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Rangers on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 6th in the MLB with a .762 OPS. Bobby Miller was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Yoshinobu Yamamoto is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 1 BB with 9 Ks on 2 hits through 6 IP against the Chicago Cubs.
The Rangers got swept in their 3-game series against the Seattle Mariners 3-0. They enter this game with an 11-7 record overall and have a home record of 8-1. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Friday with the 3rd game of their series against the Los Angeles Angels still to be played on Thursday. The Rangers won the 1st game of this series on Tuesday and the 2nd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 23rd in the MLB with a .637 OPS. Kumar Rocker is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Jacob deGrom is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 0-0 with a 4.30 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 earned runs, 2 homers, and 4 BB with 4 strikeouts on 3 hits through 4 innings played against the Seattle Mariners.
Dodgers vs Rangers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked great in their games this season with their 14-6 record overall which has them right in the middle of their division, but that record is also one of the best records in the MLB so far. They haven't been a great road team though with their 4-4 road record this season. Meanwhile, the Rangers have looked really good in their games this season with their 11-7 record overall which has them right at the top of their division. They have also looked great in their own ballpark with their 8-1 home record this season. Both of these teams are going to have studs on the mound to start this game, but the Dodgers definitely have the edge with this pitching matchup. The Rangers will have deGrom on the mound here and he has been great throughout his career, but he has also dealt with a lot of injury trouble over the last few years and hasn't come out hot to start this season. He has a 4.30 ERA and has been giving up quite a few runs in his starts this year, giving up another 3 earned runs in his last start. The Dodgers are going to have Yamamoto in this game and he has been great in his starts this year. He does have a loss under his belt, but he is 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA and hasn't been giving up many runs in his starts. He gave up no runs in his last start too and the Dodgers also have the much better offense to lean on here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Dodgers Rangers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, April 18, 2025 (8:05 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 5 Rangers 2.
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MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers: 23-9 (+11.4 units) on the moneyline against AL West opponents. 222-140 (+10.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 197-107 (+14.2 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 170-122 OVER as a favorite of -110 or higher. 105-68 OVER in road games.
Texas Rangers: 17-20 (-5.1 units) on the moneyline against NL West opponents. 79-85 (-9.1 units) on the moneyline when the money line is +125 to -125. 47-55 (-16.9 units) on the moneyline in an inter-league game. 7-2 OVER as a home underdog of +125 or more. 9-5 OVER vs. a team slugging percentage of .430 or better on the season (NL).
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Dodgers: B. Snell (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. K. Hurt (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. E. Sheehan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. Kershaw (SP) Sixty Day IL - Toe. E. Henriquez (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Foot. M. Grove (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Graterol (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. E. Phillips (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. M. Kopech (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. T. Gonsolin (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Back. R. Ryan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Stone (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Texas Rangers: W. Langford (LF) Ten Day IL - Oblique. C. Bradford (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Leiter (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Finger. J. Gray (SP) Sixty Day IL - Wrist. J. Sborz (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
"It was a superb first inning overall as a team. It's really a testament for how focused we are from the get-go." - Shohei Ohtani after their win against the Rockies in their game on Wednesday.
“We used his pitches better [Wednesday night]. He really stayed off the center of the plate and when they’ve got to put good swings on pitchers’ kinds of pitches, that usually works out pretty well.” - Jonah Heim on Patrick Corbin after their win against the LA Angels in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
Michael Conforto (L) LF
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Andy Pages (R) CF
Austin Barnes (R) C
Texas Rangers
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Joc Pederson (L) DH
Adolis García (R) RF
Josh Jung (R) 3B
Dustin Harris (L) LF
Jake Burger (R) 1B
Jonah Heim (S) C
Leody Taveras (S) CF
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Will Smith (.367)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (23)
Home Runs: Tommy Edman (6)
RBI: Teoscar Hernández (16)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (5)
Wins: Anthony Banda (3)
Saves: Tanner Scott (6)
ERA: Jack Dreyer (0.75)
Texas Rangers
Batting Average: Josh Jung (.343)
Hits: Corey Seager (17)
Home Runs: Wyatt Langford (4)
RBI: Jake Burger (8)
Stolen Bases: Leody Taveras (6)
Wins: Tyler Mahle (3)
Saves: Luke Jackson (6)
ERA: Hoby Milner (0.00)
Managers:
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (10th season)
Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
