Kershaw Returns to Dodgers' Mound After Extended Absence
All eyes will be on the Los Angeles Dodgers this Thursday as Clayton Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, is set to make his highly anticipated season debut. Kershaw has been sidelined for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery, and his return brings hope and excitement to a team with postseason aspirations.
Kershaw's last outing was not one to remember—the postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he allowed six runs and managed to record only one out. Despite this setback, the Dodgers and their fans are optimistic about his comeback and the impact he can make as the season progresses.
In broader baseball news, the New York Mets are preparing to face the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The Mets, coming off an impressive two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, are looking to maintain their momentum.
Meanwhile, Mike McClure, a renowned daily Fantasy sports pro who has amassed more than $2 million in his career, continues to leverage his proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times, providing invaluable insights for fans and Fantasy sports enthusiasts.
Standout Performances in the League
Jurickson Profar made a significant impact on Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. His stellar performance earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings, showcasing why Fantasy players should keep an eye on his trajectory.
On the DraftKings front, Gunnar Henderson stands as a top-tier choice, priced at $6,300 compared to $4,500 on FanDuel. Henderson leads all shortstops in home runs this season with 28 and ranks in the top three at his position in various critical metrics including runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. Through his .287/.373/.574 slash line and a .946 OPS, Henderson's performance has been nothing short of exceptional. Additionally, he is hitting .304 with a .982 OPS against right-handed pitchers.
The Orioles, bolstered by Henderson's contributions, are facing the Miami Marlins in a three-game series concluding on Thursday. The Orioles rank second in the American League in both runs scored and win percentage.
Pitching Struggles and Batting Brilliance
Roddery Munoz continues to struggle on the mound with a 5.14 ERA this season. Particularly concerning is his performance against left-handed hitters, who are batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS. This presents a clear advantage for players like Gunnar Henderson when facing Munoz.
Xander Bogaerts, priced at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, had an outstanding game on Wednesday, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Bogaerts returned on July 12 after missing roughly six weeks with a shoulder injury and has since been electric, hitting .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games. Remarkably, he has recorded six multi-hit performances in those seven games. With a career .306 average and an .853 OPS against left-handed pitchers, Bogaerts remains a formidable presence at the plate. He also boasts a 3-for-5 record with a home run against Patrick Corbin, who has struggled with a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts this season. Right-handed hitters are batting .301 with an .855 OPS against Corbin, further highlighting his vulnerabilities.
As the season continues to unfold, these individual performances and matchups will undoubtedly shape the narratives and outcomes of various teams. With stars like Clayton Kershaw making their returns and players like Gunnar Henderson and Xander Bogaerts consistently delivering, baseball fans have plenty to be excited about in the coming weeks.