Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers' ace and a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the mound on Thursday. Kershaw has been on the sidelines for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery, a period during which the Dodgers' pitching staff felt his absence acutely.
As Kershaw prepares to step back onto the field, there’s considerable buzz surrounding his first start of the season. His last outing was notably rocky, facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in a postseason start where he allowed six runs and managed to record only one out. The Dodgers and their fans will be eagerly watching to see if Kershaw can reclaim his dominant form.
Mets vs Braves: A Critical Matchup
Meanwhile, the New York Mets are set to battle the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The Mets have been on a high, having just completed both a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. This momentum could prove pivotal as they face a formidable Braves team.
Fantasy Sports Insights
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Player Performances to Watch
Jurickson Profar had an outstanding 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, marking him as a player to watch in the coming games.
Another standout, Gunnar Henderson, is garnering attention 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. Beyond power hitting, Henderson ranks in the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. His .287/.373/.574 slash line and .946 OPS illustrate his well-rounded offensive prowess. The Orioles will be relying on Henderson’s consistency as they conclude a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Pitching Challenges and Matchups
Roddery Munoz, currently posting a 5.14 ERA, faces significant challenges when dealing with left-handed hitters, who are batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS against him. Meanwhile, Gunnar Henderson has been particularly effective against right-handed pitchers, hitting .304 with a .982 OPS.
Xander Bogaerts, another key player to watch, is priced attractively at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel. Since returning from a shoulder injury on July 12, Bogaerts has been on fire, hitting .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games. Notably, he has produced six multi-hit performances in this stretch. Bogaerts’ career averages of .306 with an .853 OPS against left-handed pitchers add to his value, and his success against Patrick Corbin—going 3-for-5 with a home run—only enhances his potential impact.
Corbin himself has struggled this season, with a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts. Right-handed hitters have taken advantage, batting .301 with an .855 OPS against him, suggesting that lineups might continue to exploit these weaknesses.
Team Performances
The Orioles, currently second in the AL in runs scored and win percentage, are displaying strong offensive capabilities this season. Their diligence and consistency have placed them in a competitive stance as they approach the final game of their series against the Marlins.
With numerous narrative threads intertwining—from Kershaw’s return and the Mets’ momentum to standout individual performances and critical pitching matchups—the upcoming games hold exciting promise for both fans and Fantasy sports players alike.