Kershaw Set for Season Debut
Clayton Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is poised to make his highly anticipated season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Kershaw has been on the mend for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery, a procedure that kept him out of action and made Dodgers fans anxious for the return of their trusted ace.
Kershaw's return to the mound comes with a backdrop of mixed emotions. His last outing, a postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, was less than stellar. The veteran pitcher allowed six runs and managed to record only one out, leaving some fans in doubt about his readiness. However, Kershaw's resilience and track record speak volumes, and there is a widespread belief that he will return to form.
Key Matchups in the MLB
Elsewhere in Major League Baseball, the New York Mets are scheduled to face the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The Mets have been riding high after completing a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep of their inter-city rivals, the New York Yankees. Such performances bolster the Mets' confidence as they look to continue their winning ways.
On the individual player front, Jurickson Profar delivered a stellar performance on Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. His efforts culminated in 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings, solidifying his reputation as a reliable Fantasy sports option.
Fantasy Sports Insights
Speaking of Fantasy sports, veteran daily Fantasy sports pro Mike McClure continues to make waves. McClure, who has amassed over $2 million in his career, employs a proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times, offering unrivaled insights for Fantasy sports enthusiasts.
In terms of player recommendations, Gunnar Henderson stands out as a prime pick. With a price tag of $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel, Henderson leads all shortstops in home runs, having hit 28 this season. He also ranks in the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS, boasting a slash line of .287/.373/.574 and an OPS of .946. As the Baltimore Orioles face the Miami Marlins in a concluding three-game series, Henderson's performance will be crucial given the Orioles' second-place ranking in the AL for runs scored and win percentage.
Roddery Munoz, with a 5.14 ERA this season, might struggle against left-handed hitters who are batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS against him. Henderson, hitting .304 with a .982 OPS against right-handed pitchers, is likely to capitalize on this matchup.
Xander Bogaerts' Strong Return
Xander Bogaerts has also been making headlines with his performance since returning from a shoulder injury on July 12. Bogaerts, who is priced at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, went 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday. His recent form has been nothing short of impressive, hitting .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games since his return. Furthermore, Bogaerts has recorded six multi-hit performances in these seven games, reaffirming his offensive prowess.
Bogaerts' career track record against left-handed pitchers is solid, with a .306 average and an .853 OPS. Notably, he has a 3-for-5 record with a home run against Patrick Corbin, who himself has faced challenges this season with a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts. Right-handed hitters are batting .301 with an .855 OPS against Corbin, making Bogaerts a potentially pivotal player in upcoming games.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these key players and matchups, which have the potential to shape the unfolding narrative of the 2023 MLB season. The excitement and unpredictability of baseball ensure that fans will be treated to compelling stories and standout performances as the race for postseason glory intensifies.