Clayton Kershaw's Anticipated Return
The Los Angeles Dodgers are eagerly anticipating the return of ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, to make his season debut this Thursday. Kershaw has been on the sidelines for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery. The Dodgers will be looking for a strong performance from Kershaw, hoping he can regain the form that has made him one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation.
However, questions linger regarding Kershaw’s readiness, given his last outing was less than ideal. In a postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kershaw allowed six runs and recorded only one out. The Dodgers and their fans will be hoping that the extended recovery and rehabilitation have allowed Kershaw to return to his elite self.
New York Mets Face Off with the Atlanta Braves
Meanwhile, in the National League East, the New York Mets are set to face the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in what promises to be a pivotal matchup. The Mets have recently been riding high, having completed both a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. The Mets aim to maintain their winning momentum against a formidable Braves team.
Mike McClure’s Fantasy Insights
For daily Fantasy sports enthusiasts, Mike McClure continues to be a name to follow. Renowned in the Fantasy sports community, McClure has amassed more than $2 million in his career by using his proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times. McClure’s insights offer valuable guidance for Fantasy players looking to optimize their lineups.
Standout Performances: Profar and Henderson
Jurickson Profar’s recent performance turned heads as well. Going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored, Profar’s efforts on Wednesday earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings, making him a valuable player for Fantasy lineups.
Gunnar Henderson has been another standout this season. Priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel, Henderson leads all shortstops in home runs with 28. He ranks in the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. With a slash line of .287/.373/.574 and a .946 OPS this season, Henderson’s consistent performance makes him a key player for the Baltimore Orioles. Facing the Miami Marlins in a three-game series concluding on Thursday, the Orioles, who rank second in the AL in runs scored and win percentage, will be looking to Henderson to continue his stellar run.
Henderson’s proficiency against right-handed pitchers is noteworthy. He is hitting .304 with a .982 OPS against them, an impressive stat that enhances his value in matchups against right-handed starters.
Bogaerts Making a Strong Comeback
Xander Bogaerts has made a triumphant return after missing roughly six weeks with a shoulder injury. Since returning on July 12, Bogaerts has hit .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games, featuring six multi-hit performances. His 4-for-4 showing with two runs scored on Wednesday underscores his impressive form. Bogaerts, priced at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, has a career .306 average with an .853 OPS against left-handed pitchers and has been particularly effective against Patrick Corbin, against whom he holds a 3-for-5 record with a home run.
Patrick Corbin will need to be cautious facing Bogaerts, considering his 5.35 ERA over 20 starts this season. Corbin has struggled against right-handed hitters, who are batting .301 with an .855 OPS against him.
Roddery Munoz’s Challenges
Roddery Munoz's performance this season has been less than stellar, with a 5.14 ERA. Left-handed hitters have particularly fared well against Munoz, batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS. Munoz will need to find ways to mitigate these vulnerabilities to improve his standing.