Clayton Kershaw Set for Season Debut
Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner, is set to make his long-awaited season debut on Thursday. This marks a significant moment for the Dodgers, who have been without Kershaw’s services for nearly four months following his offseason shoulder surgery.
Kershaw's last appearance on the mound was a challenging one, as he faced the Arizona Diamondbacks in a postseason start where he allowed six runs and recorded only one out. The highly anticipated return will not only be a test of his recovery but a pivotal point for the Dodgers as they push towards the postseason.
Other MLB Highlights: Mets Face Braves, Profar's Standout Performance
In other MLB action, the New York Mets are preparing to face the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The Mets have been making headlines with their remarkable performance against the New York Yankees, completing both a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over their city rivals.
Meanwhile, Jurickson Profar turned heads on Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. His performance earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings, reflecting his significant contributions to his team's success.
Gunnar Henderson: Leading the Pack
Gunnar Henderson continues to excel, positioning himself as one of the top shortstops in the league. The Orioles’ star is priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel, underlining his value in both reality and fantasy sports. Henderson leads all shortstops in home runs with 28 this season, and his stellar stats don't end there. He ranks in the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS.
With a slash line of .287/.373/.574 and a .946 OPS, Henderson is proving to be an indispensable asset for the Orioles, who are facing the Miami Marlins in a three-game series concluding on Thursday. The Orioles rank second in the American League in both runs scored and win percentage, demonstrating their offensive prowess and overall team strength.
Bogaerts Shines in Return
Xander Bogaerts has made a grand return following his shoulder injury, which saw him miss roughly six weeks of action. Since coming back on July 12, Bogaerts has been on an absolute tear, hitting .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games. His recent performance includes a 4-for-4 day with two runs scored on Wednesday.
Bogaerts has recorded six multi-hit games out of seven since his return, showcasing his consistency and ability to contribute significantly to his team’s efforts. His career numbers against left-handed pitchers remain impressive, with a .306 average and an .853 OPS. Notably, Bogaerts holds a 3-for-5 record with a home run against Patrick Corbin, who has struggled this season with a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts. Right-handed hitters have found considerable success against Corbin, batting .301 with an .855 OPS.
Challenges for Roddery Munoz
Roddery Munoz has faced his own set of difficulties this season, as evidenced by his 5.14 ERA. Left-handed hitters have particularly thrived against him, batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS. This could be an important factor as teams analyze how to best capitalize on his vulnerabilities.
As the MLB season progresses, these narratives will undoubtedly continue to evolve, offering fans plenty to watch and discuss in the coming weeks.