San Francisco Giants vs Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions April 26th 2025

Giants Host Rangers Amid Brandon Crawford Celebration

Saturday at Oracle Park won’t just be about the scoreline — it will be about honoring a San Francisco Giants legend.

Before facing the Texas Rangers in the second game of a three-game set, the Giants will celebrate the incredible career of Brandon Crawford, the longtime shortstop who embodied excellence, leadership, and loyalty for the franchise.

The Rangers grabbed a 2-0 victory on Friday night behind strong pitching, but all eyes Saturday will shift toward Crawford, who will be honored in a ceremony that will bring together Giants royalty — including former manager Bruce Bochy and longtime teammate Buster Posey.

For today's full MLB odds and key matchups, visit the Scores and Odds Baseball Page.

Brandon Crawford: The Heart of Giants Baseball

Drafted in the fourth round in 2008 out of UCLA, Brandon Crawford quickly became a cornerstone for the Giants, debuting in 2011 and never looking back.

Across 1,654 games with San Francisco, Crawford:

• Recorded 1,392 hits
• Blasted 146 home runs
• Won two World Series titles
• Made three All-Star teams

He defined what it meant to play winning baseball — combining brilliant defense with timely, clutch hitting.

Crawford’s flair for the dramatic was never more apparent than his grand slam in the 2014 NL Wild Card Game — a moment that lives in Giants lore.

Posey on Crawford: A Bond Forged in Championships

Few teammates knew Crawford better than Buster Posey, now running baseball operations for the Giants.

From dazzling double plays to historic offensive games (like his franchise-record seven-hit performance in Miami), Crawford’s career highlights reflect a rare combination of durability, consistency, and brilliance.

Posey, Bochy, and a host of former teammates and coaches will be on hand to celebrate a player who made every moment at Oracle Park matter.

Saturday’s Game: Giants Try to Regain Momentum

As the celebration fades into game time, the Giants will hand the ball to Robbie Ray (3-0, 4.07 ERA).
Ray has found his groove early in 2025, showcasing swing-and-miss stuff and giving San Francisco stability in their rotation.

• Ray owns a 5-2 career record against Texas with a 3.96 ERA in nine prior starts.
• He’ll need to navigate a dangerous Rangers lineup headlined by former Bay Area standout Marcus Semien.

Interestingly, Ray dominated Crawford during their few head-to-head matchups, limiting him to just 3-for-23 (.130) with 11 strikeouts.

Ray’s ability to neutralize Texas’ top hitters could dictate whether San Francisco evens the series.

Get a deep dive into starting pitcher breakdowns and expert predictions at the MLB Expert Betting Guide.

Rangers Counter with Unbeaten Tyler Mahle

Meanwhile, the Rangers turn to one of their early-season aces: Tyler Mahle (3-0, 0.68 ERA).

Mahle has been nearly untouchable through April, posting an ERA under 1.00 while carving up hitters with pinpoint control.

• Mahle’s lifetime record against San Francisco is less impressive: 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA across six starts.
• However, he’s pitching with newfound confidence after offseason mechanical tweaks.

If Mahle continues his dominant form, Texas could silence the Oracle Park crowd once again.

How Friday’s Opener Set the Stage

Friday’s series opener was a throwback pitchers’ duel.
Texas rode an early RBI double from Semien and a solo home run from Adolis Garcia to a 2-0 win.
The Giants, meanwhile, mustered just four hits and failed to advance a runner past second base after the fifth inning.

With momentum in their favor, the Rangers are hoping to use Saturday’s emotional backdrop to their advantage.

Giants vs Rangers: Key Matchups to Watch

• Robbie Ray vs Marcus Semien: A classic lefty-righty battle between two former AL West rivals.
• Tyler Mahle vs Giants’ Lefties: San Francisco’s left-handed bats must adjust to Mahle’s devastating changeup.
• Defensive Battle: Both teams boast elite glove work — whoever plays cleaner could take control.
• Bullpen Depth: Close games will likely come down to the reliability of late-inning arms.

Emotional Factor: How Will the Ceremony Impact the Game?

Emotional ceremonies can cut two ways:

• Fuel for the Giants: Celebrating a franchise icon could inspire a team trying to find early-season momentum.
• Distraction Factor: Sometimes pregame events lead to slower starts, especially for a team trying to snap out of an offensive funk.

If the Giants channel their energy productively, expect a fast, aggressive start.

Historical Trends: Giants vs Rangers

• The Giants have won six of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs.
• San Francisco is 8-4 in games following a ceremony or pregame event over the past decade.
• The Rangers are 5-1 in Tyler Mahle’s last six starts dating back to 2024.

FAQs: Giants vs Rangers at Oracle Park

When is the Giants vs Rangers game?
Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Robbie Ray (3-0, 4.07 ERA) for San Francisco vs Tyler Mahle (3-0, 0.68 ERA) for Texas.

What’s special about Saturday’s game?
The Giants will honor longtime shortstop Brandon Crawford in a pregame ceremony.

How has Tyler Mahle performed recently?
Mahle has a 0.68 ERA in 2025 and has won three of his first four starts.

Where can I find expert picks for MLB games today?
Check winning picks and analysis at the MLB Pick Page.

Conclusion: Giants Celebrate the Past, Eye the Future

Saturday will be a day filled with emotions at Oracle Park — a day to celebrate one of the greatest Giants ever.
But after the hugs and highlights fade, the business of baseball resumes.

The Giants must quickly shift gears and focus on evening the series against a tough Rangers squad that knows how to spoil a party.
With Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle set to battle, expect another tense, tightly contested game that could be decided by one big swing or one defensive masterpiece — just the way Brandon Crawford always liked it.

One thing is certain: Whether honoring the past or chasing future glory, San Francisco will have no shortage of inspiration on Saturday afternoon.