Clayton Kershaw, a pivotal player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is set to make his highly anticipated season debut on Thursday. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has been on the sidelines for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery. Kershaw's return is a significant boon for the Dodgers, who have long looked forward to having their ace back on the mound.
Kershaw's last outing was one to forget. Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in a postseason start, he allowed six runs and managed to record just one out before being pulled from the game. The Dodgers are hopeful that the extended recovery period has given Kershaw the time he needed to get back to peak form.
Mets-Braves Showdown
Meanwhile, another exciting matchup awaits baseball fans as the New York Mets gear up to face the Atlanta Braves. The Mets have been impressive lately, having completed both a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over their city rivals, the New York Yankees. This sets the stage for an intense showdown with the Braves.
Fantasy Sports Insights
Daily fantasy sports pro Mike McClure, who has amassed over $2 million in his career, uses a proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times. His insights have been invaluable to fantasy sports enthusiasts. On Wednesday, Jurickson Profar's performance stood out. Going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored, Profar earned 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings.
Gunnar Henderson, another player making waves, is priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel. Leading all shortstops in home runs with 28 this season, Henderson also ranks in the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. His slash line this season stands at an impressive .287/.373/.574 with a .946 OPS.
Orioles and Marlins Series
The Orioles wrap up their three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Baltimore has been a force in the American League, ranking second in runs scored and win percentage. Meanwhile, Gunnar Henderson's impressive performance continues as he bats .304 with a .982 OPS against right-handed pitchers.
Roddery Munoz and Patrick Corbin's Performance
Roddery Munoz has struggled this season with a 5.14 ERA. Left-handed hitters have been particularly successful against him, batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS. On the other hand, veteran hurler Patrick Corbin has also had his challenges, posting a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts. Right-handed hitters are batting .301 with an .855 OPS against him.
Xander Bogaerts' Return
Xander Bogaerts recently made a triumphant return after missing roughly six weeks with a shoulder injury, rejoining the lineup on July 12. Bogaerts went 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday and has been on a tear since his return. Over seven games, he is hitting .483 with a .983 OPS and has registered six multi-hit performances. Bogaerts boasts a career .306 average with an .853 OPS against left-handed pitchers and has a 3-for-5 record with a home run against Patrick Corbin.
As these players and teams face off, fans can look forward to thrilling performances on the field. Whether it's the return of a seasoned veteran, a rising star making a mark, or teams clashing in pivotal matchups, the ongoing season promises excitement and memorable moments.