Rangers host Dodgers in a matchup of the league's two most recent world champions

The Texas Rangers get set to host the Los Angeles Dodgers to Globe Life Field this weekend in the matchup of Major League Baseball's two most recent World Series champions.

This is a matchup that is always marked on the calendar for the pedigree of talent that is on the baseball field at one time. It has since risen in magnitude the last two seasons now that Shohei Ohtani is a Dodger and both franchises have won a title since then.

When Texas last hosted the Dodgers, it was July 2023, before Texas wasn't a champion yet and it was prior to the Ohtani Dodgers Era. The two faced off last season, with Texas taking two of three games, but the games were played at Dodger Stadium.

Tickets for the weekend are limited throughout the weekend with the cheapest price being Sunday afternoon's matchup, being sold for $56. It is easily one of the most anticipated series to start off the season and it's sure to not disappoint.

Team previews

The Rangers and Dodgers enter the series with something in common. They both sit atop their respective West divisions. The Dodgers are entering Friday coming off a three-game sweep of the Rockies and an off day on Thursday. Texas is also coming off a three-game sweep of the other LA team, wrapping up the series on Thursday.

There are however some slight differences in how both teams have been able to be successful to start the year. As expected, the Dodgers offense is one of the best in MLB to kick off the season. The Dodgers lead the league with 34 home runs and are sixth in runs and RBIs. Texas is having a bit more trouble on that front, sitting as the 11th worst hitting team in MLB with a .225 average. The Rangers are also the fifth worst team when it comes to scoring runs.

The pitching staffs however, are more equally matched then one might think. The Rangers are the fifth-best staff in terms of ERA (3.44) compared to the Dodgers being 13th (3.86), which isn't too far off. Both are also top 3 in saves with the Dodgers leading 9 to 8 in that category.

It will be interesting to keep an eye on this weekend as the Dodgers pitchers are one of the best at striking out batters, while Texas's offense limits their strikeouts. On the other hand, the Rangers pitching has the fifth-best WHIP in the league.

Regardless, it should be a fun matchup because Texas and LA are countering with top of the line arms. The series will come down to which offense can breakthrough to win the series.

First pitch, starting pitchers, how to watch/listen and more

Friday, April 18

• First pitch: 7:05 PM CT

• Probables: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 1.23 ERA) vs. Jacob deGrom (0-0, 4.30 ERA)

• How to watch: CW33, Victory+ (TEX)

• How to listen: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270

Saturday, April 19

• First pitch: 3:05 PM CT

• Probables: Roki Sasaki (0-1, 3.29 ERA) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 2.55 ERA)

• How to watch: FOX

• How to listen: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270

Sunday, April 20

• First pitch: 1:35 PM CT

• Probables: Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 4.85 ERA) vs. Tyler Mahle (3-0, 0.92 ERA)

• How to watch: Rangers Sports Network, Victory+

• How to listen: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270