Pitchers
 
Play of the Day: Clayton Kershaw - Not much more needs to be said about Kershaw. He's the best pitcher in baseball and happens to be a HUGE -400 favorite today at home against the Braves. Kershaw has allowed just two runs over his last two home starts, combining for 16 innings and 24 strikeouts. 
 
Safe Bet: Corey Kluber - By far the best pitching option available in the early slate even with what might be perceived as a tough matchup against the Blue Jays. Kluber has been throwing at the level of his Cy Young campaign and even though he’s expensive, he’s definitely the safest play given the combination of his high 34.5% strikeout rate (3rd in the Majors), stellar play at home, and matchup against the cold Blue Jays bats. 
 
Safe Bet: Jake Odorizzi - Odorizzi has struggled lately but there’s hope that the struggles are behind him after throwing a gem against the A’s earlier this week where he only allowed one hit (a home run) over seven innings while striking out five. He actually has held current Rangers to a line of .181/.244/.375 throughout his career and has an opportunity to pick up right where he left off. 
 
Value Play: Jerad Eickhoff - The young right-hander gets to face a Brewers club that have the 2nd lowest expected run total among the early slate games. As long as the weather cooperates and as long as he can maintain his command, there’s definitely some strikeout upside. He has struck out eight batters in each of his last two starts.
 
Hitters
 
Play of the Day: Charlie Blackmon - Chuck Nasty is money in the bank if you can afford to pay up for him on any given slate. This is even more so at Coors where he has batted .399/.463/.820 with 15 homers and 12 triples. He’ll face Ivan Nova who he has gone 4-for-8 (.500 AVG) against with two home runs. 
 
Safe Bet: Edwin Encarnacion - Final opportunity at the revenge narrative against his former team, but hasn't been able to put up a big performance. Still, today might be the day that changes. Edwin has been dominate against lefties, batting .304/.467/.587 with three homers, a triple, and two doubles since the start of June. 
 
Safe Bet: Andrew McCutchen - McCutchen has been outstanding in recent years in Coors Field. Add the fact that he’ll get to face the lefty, Kyle Freeland, I think it’s a great spot for him today. He has been blasting lefties throughout the season for a 1.168 OPS, .471 wOBA, and 195 wRC+. 
 
Value Play: Matt Szecur - Only $7 on Yahoo today on a day where it's a good idea to roster Clayton Kershaw. Should be back in the lineup against the lefty, Ty Blach, and has gone 6-for-9 (.667 AVG) with three extra base hits over his last two starts.