Clayton Kershaw Set for Season Debut Post-Surgery
After a prolonged absence from the mound, Clayton Kershaw is set to make his season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery. His last outing, which was against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a postseason start, ended disastrously for Kershaw, as he allowed six runs and managed to record only one out.
While anticipation for Kershaw's return is palpable, the spotlight will also be on other intriguing match-ups this Thursday. Notably, the New York Mets are set to face the Atlanta Braves. The Mets have substantial reason for confidence, having recently completed both a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over the New York Yankees.
Daily Fantasy Sports Insights with Mike McClure
Within the realm of daily Fantasy sports, Mike McClure stands out as a renowned professional. McClure has amassed more than $2 million in his career, thanks in part to his proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times. Whether you aim to dominate your Fantasy league or are merely a casual enthusiast, McClure's insights can provide a competitive edge.
Among the standout players this week is Jurickson Profar, who went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored on Wednesday. His stellar performance earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings, illustrating the impact of a single-game showing in daily Fantasy sports.
Gunnar Henderson: A Rising Star
Gunnar Henderson is making headlines with his impressive stats this season. Priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel, Henderson leads all shortstops in home runs, with 28 thus far. He ranks in the top three at his position for runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS, boasting a .287/.373/.574 slash line and a .946 OPS for the season.
Henderson's performance is even more notable against right-handed pitchers, against whom he is hitting .304 with a .982 OPS. The Orioles, who are ranked second in the AL in both runs scored and win percentage, will face the Miami Marlins in a three-game series concluding Thursday.
On the other side of the mound, Roddery Munoz's struggles continue, as he sports a 5.14 ERA this season. Left-handed hitters exploit Munoz, batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS against him, a potentially challenging statistic given Henderson's effectiveness.
Xander Bogaerts: A Comeback Story
Xander Bogaerts made a notable return on July 12 after missing roughly six weeks with a shoulder injury. Since then, Bogaerts has been in exceptional form, hitting .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games. His consistent performance includes six multi-hit games during this period and a notable 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday.
With a career .306 average and an .853 OPS against left-handed pitchers, Bogaerts' prowess is well-documented. He is priced attractively for daily Fantasy players at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel. Notably, he has a 3-for-5 record with a home run against Patrick Corbin, who has a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts this season. Right-handed hitters, in particular, have found success against Corbin, batting .301 with an .855 OPS.
As the season continues to unfold, players like Henderson and Bogaerts are proving to be game-changers both on the field and in the world of Fantasy sports. With Clayton Kershaw's imminent return and key match-ups on the horizon, fans and Fantasy players alike have plenty to look forward to in what promises to be an electrifying continuation of the season.