Dodgers vs. Rangers Predictions, Picks, Odds & Starting Pitchers: Today, 4/18
Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers ended their series with the Colorado Rockies with yet another sweep in the young 2025 season. They’ll now head due east to Arlington for a series with the Texas Rangers, who were just facing the other LA team - the Angels. With the series opener upon us, we’ve got our best Dodgers vs. Rangers predictions for you.
That also means a best bet from our Dodgers vs. Rangers picks, and with us targeting a player prop, it pairs perfectly with a guaranteed $100+ Chalkboard Fantasy promo code bonus, which is available in both CA and TX!
Dodgers vs. Rangers Predictions For MLB on MLB Network, 4/18
A series sweep over the Rockies was fully expected for the Dodgers, as not only is LA yet again the World Series favorites, but Colorado has won just three games on the season. However, given how the NL West is shaking out, the Dodgers can’t take their foot off the gas against even the worst team in the MLB.
Between the Dodgers, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, those three have the most wins in all of baseball. Similarly, the Rangers are sitting atop the AL West, which is quite even across the board. In other words, this is a pivotal series for both teams, but it’s LA that was able to have yesterday off.
Even though the Dodgers vs. Rangers odds favor LA with that added benefit, we’ve still got a player prop in our sights for the best bet from our Dodgers vs. Rangers predictions.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani Makes History…Again
That’s right - somehow, Shohei Ohtani continues to make history. That’s even before he’s been able to take the mound again, so of course, it was made at the plate. It’s not one that will draw more comparisons to Babe Ruth, but it’s still noteworthy.
During the Dodgers massive seven-run first inning against the Rockies in the series finale, Shohei Ohtani had his first time driving in two runs and scoring himself in a single inning. One of which was a leadoff solo home run that traveled 448 feet. That was his 12th homer as a Dodger that went 445+ feet, which is the most since such a stat has been recorded.
Texas Rangers: Southern Hospitality
That same night, the Rangers also got into the win column, and while they didn’t have a seven-run first inning, it was their three-run second inning that propelled them to that victory. It was a significant one, as it took them to an amazing 8-1 home record, which was behind only the 12-1 Padres home record.
So, while Texas didn’t have the same luxury as LA in terms of having yesterday off, they’ll at least remain at Globe Life Field for this series opener. The Dodgers are also an impressive 10-2 at home, which makes them just 4-4 on the road, so the Rangers would love to show them their version of southern hospitality tonight.
How To Watch Dodgers vs. Rangers Today
Given that we just put an emphasis on Texas’ success at home, that’s a perfect transition to how to watch Dodgers vs. Rangers today:
- Where: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
- When: 4:05 PM ET on 4/18
- Watch on TV: MLB Network
- Where to stream: Fubo, MLB.TV, Sling TV
Dodgers vs. Rangers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
As mentioned, despite being the road team, the Dodgers vs. Rangers odds still have LA as the favorites tonight:
- Run Line: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+117) vs. Texas Rangers +1.5 (-138)
- Money Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (-140) vs. Texas Rangers (+130)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 8 (-101) vs. Under 8 (-112)
Dodgers vs. Rangers Best Bet: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Under 7.5 Strikeouts (Add Even More Player Picks From Chalkboard Fantasy)
Somehow, we’ve yet to fully cover what many would consider the most important aspect of making Dodgers vs. Rangers predictions - the starting pitching matchup. That is especially true given the rather well-known names that we have on the mound with Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Rangers’ Jacob DeGrom.
The often injured starter - deGrom - has put fans on a rollercoaster trying to gauge his performances when bouncing back from them, so we’re going to put our focus on the other side of the matchup. However, the approach is going to surprise many fans.
That’s because we’re actually taking the under on the Japanese superstar’s strikeout prop. He is more than capable of racking up his fair share of K’s, but that is also why his line is always set so high. While it may be a sweat, this matchup is not nearly as advantageous for him as others have been this year.
Of his four starts, two have seen Yamamoto exceed five strikeouts, which were against the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. Those two teams rank fourth and seventh respectively in strikeouts this year. Meanwhile, the Rangers have struck out the fifth-fewest times this season.
Also, to close out last season, Yamamoto had more than four strikeouts just once in his last three starts. Even if he gets right to seven strikeouts tonight, we’re still taking Yoshinobu Yamamoto under 7.5 strikeouts (use his player card at Chalkboard Fantasy) as the best bet from our Dodgers vs. Rangers predictions.
Dodgers vs. Rangers Injury Report & Starting Pitchers
Not only does our statement of Shohei Ohtani not being able to return to the mound yet hold true, neither has Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw. Similarly, starters Blake Snell, Tony Gonsolin and Gavin Stone are also all on the injured list.
As for Dodgers vs. Rangers injury news in Texas, they have starters Cody Bradford and Jack Leiter on the IL, but perhaps more notable is outfielder Wyatt Langford. With that covered, here are the Dodgers vs. Rangers starters for today:
- Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher today: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 1.23 ERA)
- Texas Rangers starting pitcher today: Jacob DeGrom (0-0, 4.30 ERA)
How To Target Dodgers vs. Rangers At Chalkboard Fantasy & Claim Your $100+ Bonus With Code ALARM
With fans of these teams in California and Texas not able to utilize our Dodgers vs. Rangers predictions from a sports betting perspective - not to worry - we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to enjoy player pick ‘ems with a two-part $100+ Chalkboard Fantasy promo code bonus:
- Sign up here for a new Chalkboard account
- Enter our Chalkboard promo code ALARM
- Make a first-time deposit of up to $100
- Receive 100% of the amount in bonus funds AND free pick for your first lineup!
As if those two guaranteed bonuses weren’t enough, Chalkboard already offers a free player pick every single day! Today’s is a free Zack Wheeler pick (17.5 pitching outs to just 0.5!) for the Phillies vs. Marlins game, so you can make multiple games super valuable when you become a new member today with our exclusive Chalkboard promo code ALARM!
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.