Kershaw Set for Season Debut Amidst High Hopes and Hurdles
Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers' legendary ace and three-time Cy Young Award winner, is poised to make his much-anticipated season debut on Thursday. Kershaw's return to the mound comes after a grueling four-month recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, an obstacle that had kept one of baseball's most revered pitchers on the sidelines.
As Kershaw steps back onto the field, all eyes will be on him, not just to see his form but to judge how he bounces back from his last, less-than-stellar outing. In his previous appearance, a postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kershaw struggled mightily, allowing six runs and recording just one out—a rare and humbling moment in his otherwise illustrious career.
Dodgers and Mets Headline Thursday's Matchups
While Kershaw's return is the centerpiece of Thursday's MLB action, the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves are set for a high-stakes showdown. The Mets come into this game riding high after a sweep of their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. The Mets first notched a two-game sweep before completing a four-game season sweep over the Bronx Bombers, adding momentum to their season.
Fantasy Sports Spotlight: Profar and Henderson Shine
Daily Fantasy sports enthusiasts will recognize the standout performances recently delivered by the likes of Jurickson Profar and Gunnar Henderson. Profar went 2-for-5 on Wednesday, highlighted by a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. His effort earned him significant points on Daily Fantasy Sports platforms: 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings.
Gunnar Henderson, priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel, remains a hot pick. Leading all shortstops in home runs with 28 this season, Henderson also ranks among the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. Currently boasting a .287/.373/.574 slash line and a .946 OPS, Henderson has demonstrated his prowess at the plate, particularly against right-handed pitchers, against whom he's hitting .304 with a .982 OPS.
Bogaerts' Blazing Return
Xander Bogaerts has made an impactful return after being on the injured list. Priced at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, Bogaerts went 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday, continuing an impressive post-injury run. Since returning on July 12 following a six-week absence due to a shoulder injury, Bogaerts is hitting a scorching .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games.
Bogaerts' consistency has been remarkable, with six multi-hit performances in the seven games since his return to the lineup. His career statistics against left-handed pitchers are equally impressive, with a .306 average and an .853 OPS. Specifically, Bogaerts has a solid track record against Patrick Corbin, going 3-for-5 with a home run against the Nationals' pitcher.
Pitching Matchups to Watch: Munoz and Corbin
Pitcher Roddery Munoz will be under the microscope as left-handed hitters have had considerable success against him this season, batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS. On the other side, Patrick Corbin's numbers haven't been stellar either, with a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts. Right-handed hitters are batting .301 with an .855 OPS against Corbin, setting the stage for an intriguing duel on the mound.
As the MLB season progresses and key players return from injuries, the dynamics of the league continue to shift. Players like Kershaw and Bogaerts may hold the key to their teams' fortunes. Thursday's games promise to be a defining moment for many, with fans eagerly watching to see how these narratives unfold.