Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants Picks and Predictions September 18th 2025

Giants vs Dodgers Picks and Predictions — September 18, 2025

The San Francisco Giants head south to face the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night in a key NL West matchup. The Dodgers (84-67) lead the division but are trying to rebound after two straight losses, while the Giants (76-76) are clinging to postseason hopes despite going just 4-6 in their last 10. San Francisco comes off a 5-1 win over Arizona, as seen on the recent MLB scoreboards, but now faces elite pitching in Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

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Opening odds:

• Moneyline: Dodgers −163, Giants +137
• Runline: Dodgers −1.5 (+134), Giants +1.5 (−162)
• Total (Over/Under): 7.5 runs

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Giants Can Win If…

• Logan Webb sets the tone. He’s 14-10 with a 3.34 ERA and gives San Francisco its best chance to slow down LA’s bats.
• Rafael Devers delivers run production. With 31 HRs and 103 RBIs, he remains the Giants’ most dangerous offensive weapon.
• The bullpen keeps it clean. The Giants lead MLB in limiting home runs allowed (129), which will be critical against LA’s power hitters.

“We’re looking for big swings from our middle of the order to carry us,” Giants staff have emphasized about Devers’ role this season.

Dodgers Can Win If…

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues his dominance. With a 2.66 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP, he’s one of the NL’s most reliable arms.
• The lineup stays hot. Despite back-to-back losses, LA tallied 10 hits and 3 homers in their last outing, with Shohei Ohtani and Enrique Hernández both going deep.
• Their patience pays off. Ranking 3rd in OBP (.330) and 2nd in slugging (.440), the Dodgers excel at getting runners on and bringing them home.

“We’ve got to reset and trust our bats,” Dodgers players stressed after back-to-back defeats.

Key MLB Betting Trends

The Lean

Pick: Dodgers Moneyline (−163)
Projected Final Score: Dodgers 5, Giants 3
Total Lean: Over 7.5

Reasoning: Yamamoto’s elite pitching paired with LA’s explosive lineup makes the Dodgers the stronger side. Webb can keep San Francisco competitive, but LA’s power bats and home-field edge should prove decisive. With both lineups capable of scoring, the over 7.5 is the sharper total play.

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