![The Z Files: Does Defense Matter?](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/jwxchczuktxoar5rbrco.jpg)
Todd Zola examines how far we've come with analyzing how glove work can impact a pitcher's performance and whether it's worth getting into the weeds on how much an A's defense led by Matt Chapman can swing BABIP for Oakland hurlers.
![The Z Files: Historical Draft Slot Values](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/s3ak6bkhifinpjmjhxpw.jpg)
Todd Zola looks at the average expected earnings for each slot in a snake draft and explains why drafting No. 1 doesn't always guarantee victory.
![The Z Files: Drafting a Pitching Staff](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/uktxp0zmointbw8zd7rd.jpg)
Todd Zola walks through how he assembles a fantasy pitching staff and explains why Max Scherzer is the only hurler to get a pre-draft plan named after him.
![The Z Files: Catching Targets](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/gqruiwnmlkzdpf2zhe5f.jpg)
Todd Zola looks for early-draft value at fantasy's weakest position and finds he's a little more optimistic than the market on Salvador Perez.
![The Z Files: Early Market Disagreements Part Two](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/hhg0mlfzt8dnom6qqfhh.jpg)
Todd Zola looks at five players he's not willing to spend current market price on, including rising Rays ace Blake Snell.
![Farm Futures: A Dose of Reality for Padres Fans](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/e7icmucogj0twszrexak.jpg)
James Anderson considers what kind of prospect haul might realistically bring Noah Syndergaard west to San Diego.
![The Z Files: Early Market Disagreements](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/y6kkmjwbvtgzpmxib4v8.jpg)
Todd Zola takes another look at five players he's more bullish on than the market right now, and thinks a better season from the Arizona offense could help Paul Goldschmidt regain some of his luster.
![The Z Files: What Is a Projection?](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/jdl8ahfqj1q1xbiam31h.jpg)
Todd Zola examines the philosophy behind player projections, and looks at why having a projected stat line for Anthony Rendon doesn't necessarily help you judge whether he's a good fit for the roster you're constructing.
![Collette Calls: Does the Opener Strategy Work?](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/mzfdnh59ywwulmdkwfrf.jpg)
Jason Collette analyzes 'The Opener' strategy and how it relates to the times-through-the-order penalty. Would it have benefited Robbie Ray?
![The Z Files: Historical Top 200](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/yukbuaudulfm6cg86scw.jpg)
Todd Zola takes a look at the end-of-season top-200 performers over the last five years and thinks Charlie Blackmon's being discounted too heavily in early drafts given his track record.
![Positional Eligibility: 2018 Games Played By Position](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/ejjgz0cajqqdidf6vekq.jpg)
Derek VanRiper provides a comprehensive list of positional appearances and notes about eligibility changes.
![The Z Files: Early Top 15 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/rpjfvkdigsf8fsz1vrjt.jpg)
Todd Zola offers his initial list of the top arms heading into 2019, and doesn't think Luis Severino's second half is a good enough reason to keep him out of the top 10.
![FanDuel MLB: Game 5 World Series Value Plays](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/kcoziemnfcjw40ujjn62.jpg)
Chris Bennett likes Mookie Betts to continue his awesome hitting ways in Game 4, thereby making him a more safe MVP selection.
![DraftKings MLB: Sunday Picks](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/gemjr97loelcjuzu8jve.jpg)
Mike Barner gives tips for the final Sunday DraftKings contests of the season, leaning heavily on Clayton Kershaw for Game 5 of the World Series.
![DraftKings MLB: Game 4 World Series Picks](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/p2p7k5zsbh4k63uub9xd.jpg)
Based on his strikeout capability and the fact he's coming off seven days of rest, Mike Barner likes Rich Hill at home in Game 4.