As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for Thursday's game, all eyes are on Clayton Kershaw, who is set to make his season debut. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery. This much-anticipated return is crucial for a pitcher who has been a cornerstone of the Dodgers' rotation for years.
Kershaw's last outing was a postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a game he'd likely prefer to forget. In that matchup, Kershaw conceded six runs and was only able to record one out before being pulled from the game. Such a performance is a rarity for the veteran pitcher, who has built a career on consistency and excellence. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how Kershaw performs in his comeback.
Meanwhile, Thursday also brings an intriguing matchup between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. The Mets come into the game on a high note, having completed both a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over the New York Yankees. This recent success bolsters their confidence as they face another formidable opponent in the Braves.
On the fantasy sports front, Mike McClure, a renowned daily fantasy sports analyst, continues to impress. McClure, who has amassed over $2 million in his career, uses a proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times, providing invaluable insights for fantasy sports enthusiasts.
Among standout players, Jurickson Profar delivered an exceptional performance on Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. This stellar outing earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings, showcasing his value to fantasy managers.
Another player grabbing attention is Gunnar Henderson. Currently priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel, Henderson leads all shortstops with 28 home runs this season. His impressive stats also place him in the top three at his position for runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. Henderson's .287/.373/.574 slash line and .946 OPS further attest to his outstanding performance this season. The Orioles, buoyed by Henderson's contributions, continue to excel, ranking second in the American League in runs scored and win percentage as they face the Miami Marlins in a three-game series concluding on Thursday.
Pitchers in the spotlight include Roddery Munoz, who has struggled this season with a 5.14 ERA. Left-handed hitters have particularly taken advantage of Munoz, batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS against him. Conversely, Henderson has been superb against right-handed pitchers, hitting .304 with a .982 OPS.
Xander Bogaerts has also returned to form with a remarkable stretch. Priced at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, Bogaerts went 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday. Having returned on July 12 after a shoulder injury kept him out for roughly six weeks, Bogaerts is hitting a scorching .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games since his return. Notably, he has managed six multi-hit performances in this period. Bogaerts' career numbers further underline his value, boasting a .306 average with an .853 OPS against left-handed pitchers. He also has a solid 3-for-5 record with a home run against Washington Nationals' pitcher Patrick Corbin. Corbin, on the other hand, has had a tough season, carrying a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts. Right-handed hitters are batting .301 with an .855 OPS against him, highlighting his struggles on the mound.
As the season progresses, the performances of players like Kershaw, Henderson, and Bogaerts will undoubtedly be pivotal for their respective teams. Whether it's a veteran making a comeback, a rising star solidifying his reputation, or a seasoned hitter finding his groove, these narratives add layers of excitement and anticipation for fans and analysts alike.