![The Z Files: Saving the Best for Last](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/lwz2yuenl6o6itluyenl.jpg)
Todd Zola examines recent draft trends when it comes to closers and weighs the pros and cons of spending an early pick on the likes of Emmanuel Clase.
![Playoff Primer: The Rankings](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/inqk5sudcculxfauh8tb.jpg)
Todd Zola ranks players by position for fantasy playoff leagues. Chicago's Jose Abreu is tough to beat at first base.
![The Z Files: My Top 250 Rest-of-Season Pitchers](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/j5yzc28ka1eed53szvbu.jpg)
Todd Zola offers his projected pitcher rankings for the stretch run as two National League teams split the top four spots between them.
![Mound Musings: Checking in on Some Unsettled Bullpens](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/pt6k6snfftelnn0h7pgw.jpg)
Brad Johnson checks in with some in-flux bullpen situations, like in Kansas City, where Josh Staumont had a shaky June but has rebounded of late.
![Collette Calls: Everyone Gets A Save!](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/hajlzqwfej8jtjixvs04.jpg)
Jason Collette looks at the league-wide saves situation, as it seems these days that everyone gets a save!
![NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/drkg2apen0bzbkjn2q5s.jpg)
With a couple clubs having recently traded away a lot of talent, Jan Levine sees plenty of available fill-ins who can provide immediate help.
![Mound Musings: Examining the Trade Deadline Deals](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/jxdmffqctc1lfub0sez7.jpg)
Brad Johnson dives into the trade deadline pitching deals and discuses how the changes in latitudes might impact teams, starting in Los Angeles where Danny Duffy becomes a Dodger.
![NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/yi9yesfliivgapy6sdzx.jpg)
The NL landscape may have been shaken up by the Trade Deadline, but Jan Levine is here to discuss the latest and greatest available options.
![Bernie on the Scene: Trade Deadline Edition](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/m6tmwfmvpbehczr3gndy.jpg)
Bernie Pleskoff looks at players who could be moved at the trade deadline. Will the Mariners trade Mitch Haniger?
![NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/qjbjrc7qsms7wkmoyemn.jpg)
Jan Levine is back to cover the latest NL adds and sees a certain Atlanta starter with plenty of potential opportunities.
![Bernie on the Scene: My All-Star Game Pitching Staffs](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/vxz2hpib4s4b7bqww9eq.jpg)
Bernie Pleskoff names his All-Star pitchers. Jacob deGrom is a no-brainer, but there are plenty of surprises on Bernie's AL and NL lists.
![The Z Files: Spin City](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/kikr2ypjgxj1hkv4lxva.jpg)
Todd Zola takes a look at the spin rate leaderboards on individual pitches and finds some surprising numbers from veteran hurlers like Adam Wainwright.
![MLB Barometer: Risers & Fallers](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/dousbypyhm0gyg9dy8kc.jpg)
Erik Halterman starts this week's column by checking in on his own preseason rankings, starting with a player he was high on, J.T. Realmuto.
![Mound Musings: The Slider – A Classic Love/Hate Relationship](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/h2x6224gfhordtnazksv.jpg)
Brad Johnson breaks down the mechanics of sliders and discusses slider-heavy pitchers, like Kenta Maeda, who are struggling so far this season.
![MLB Barometer: April Risers and Fallers](https://res.cloudinary.com/rotowire/image/upload/ar_16:6,c_fill,dpr_auto,f_auto,g_auto:custom_no_override,q_auto,w_auto/jxdmffqctc1lfub0sez7.jpg)
This week, Erik Halterman compares players' current ranks to their ADPs, starting with pitchers and the Royals' Danny Duffy, whose increased velocity has led to a career-best 28.8 percent strikeout rate.