Baseball aficionados have much to look forward to this week as a lineup of significant player performances and matchups are poised to add excitement to the already heated summer season. At the forefront of this buzz is Clayton Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young Award winner for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw is gearing up to make his season debut on Thursday after being sidelined for nearly four months due to offseason shoulder surgery. His comeback is highly anticipated, especially considering his last outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks where he allowed six runs and managed to record only one out in a postseason start. This return marks a critical moment for Kershaw and the Dodgers alike.
The same day, the New York Mets are set to face the Atlanta Braves, fresh off a morale-boosting sweep over their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. The Mets have not just completed a two-game sweep but also a four-game season sweep of the Yankees, rekindling their hopes and ambitions in the league.
Fantasy Sports Shuffles
In the realm of daily Fantasy sports, Mike McClure continues to be a towering figure. The renowned Fantasy sports pro has amassed more than $2 million in his career, largely thanks to his proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times. McClure’s insights remain invaluable to Fantasy sports enthusiasts looking to gain an edge.
Of particular note is Jurickson Profar, who had an outstanding performance on Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. This exceptional showing earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings. Profar’s recent success underscores the importance of keeping an eye on high-performing individuals in daily Fantasy leagues.
Star Performers on the Rise
Gunnar Henderson has been making waves this season, leading all shortstops in home runs with 28. His impressive stat line doesn’t end there; he’s in the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. Priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel, Henderson’s .287/.373/.574 slash line and .946 OPS make him a hot pick for Fantasy sports players. Particularly formidable against right-handed pitchers, Henderson is hitting .304 with a .982 OPS in such matchups.
The Baltimore Orioles will undoubtedly rely on Henderson's form as they conclude a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Thursday. The Orioles currently rank second in the American League in both runs scored and win percentage, solidifying their status as a formidable offensive unit.
Pitching Challenges Ahead
Roddery Munoz, grappling with a 5.14 ERA this season, has particularly struggled against left-handed hitters who are batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS against him. This vulnerability presents an opportunity for batters to capitalize on Munoz’s weaknesses as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, left-handed hitter Xander Bogaerts has returned to the field with a vengeance after missing roughly six weeks owing to a shoulder injury. Bogaerts, priced at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, went 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday. His post-recovery stats are nothing short of spectacular: he’s hitting .483 with a .983 OPS over seven games and has achieved six multi-hit performances during this period. Bogaerts also boasts a .306 career average with an .853 OPS against left-handed pitchers and holds a favorable 3-for-5 record with a home run against Patrick Corbin.
Speaking of Corbin, the pitcher has not had the easiest season either. With a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts, Corbin has found himself particularly vulnerable against right-handed hitters who are batting .301 with an .855 OPS against him. This marks a stark challenge for Corbin as he looks to turn his season around.
In sum, this week in baseball is laden with pivotal returns, key matchups, and compelling player narratives. From Kershaw’s return to Bogaerts’ stunning comeback, the season continues to offer thrills and suspense for fans and Fantasy sports enthusiasts alike.