MLB Baseball
2026-04-12 - Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Dodgers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Sunday 12th April 2026 - Scheduled 4:10pm EST
9:10pm (British Time)
Preview
They are already on top of the National League West and the Los Angeles Dodgers (11-3) will be going for a sweep of the Texas Rangers (7-7) when the teams conclude the three game series on Sunday.
After back to back World Series successes, the Dodgers are once again favoured to win it all this season and there has been nothing wrong with the early season form. Of course the real test will be putting the best baseball together in October rather than April, but the experience of the Dodgers means they are well aware of that fact and the starting pitchers are simply trying to show they can be key to the rotation later in the year.
One of those will be heading to the mound for a third start in 2026 when Roki Sasaki is handed the ball on Sunday afternoon.
Injury saw him lose his place as a starting option in the Playoffs last season, but Roki Sasaki showed his worth coming out of the bullpen. However, he did not come to America to be a solid reliever and Sasaki is under some pressure to show he can perform effectively as a starting pitcher having put together a 0-1 record with a 7.00 ERA in his two starts made this season.
The latter of those saw him roughed up on the road, but Roki Sasaki is back at home where he allowed a single run in 4 Innings thrown against the Cleveland Guardians and was saddled with a hard luck loss.
In the sole previous start against the Texas Rangers last season, Roki Sasaki held them to two runs in 6 Innings thrown, although he did not factor into the decision.
The Rangers have lost both games in this series and will turn to veteran Jacob deGrom to turn things around- injuries have restricted his appearances in recent years, but deGrom had thirty starts in 2025 and kept his ERA below 3.00 in those outings.
Jacob deGrom has a 0-0 record with a 3.72 ERA in his two starts made this season, but the second start was much more efficient than the first and the Texas Rangers will be confident the veteran can produce another strong campaign.
Twelve career starts have been made against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the 1-5 record feels harsh for Jacob deGrom considering he holds a 2.58 ERA in those outings.
With two wins in this series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have won four of the last five games against the Texas Rangers across the last twelve months.
Prediction
You know what you are going to get with Jacob deGrom and that may give the Texas Rangers an opportunity to salvage something out of this three game series.
However, the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers batting lineup are playing with some confidence and Roki Sasaki's stronger start in 2026 has come in the comforts of home.
This won't be an easy game for the Dodgers, but they may have the big hits to just do enough to complete the sweep.
The Pick :
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Texas Rangers
