Two-start week preview for Aug 18 tightens the fantasy edge as rosters juggle rotations. Philadelphia shifts to a six-man rotation for Aaron Nola, limiting Suarez to one turn. Cubs face an eight-game week due to a Monday doubleheader, with Cade Horton highly parked for two starts; Jameson Taillon could join at least one game in Monday’s swing. Rays play five games, reducing two-start chances; Jays’ Bieber plan is still in flux. Amid the shuffle, target elite volume: Joe Ryan, Logan Gilbert, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Spencer Strider and Cade Horton stand out as must-starts, with Eury Pérez, Gavin Williams, Jack Leiter and Spencer Arrighetti offering strong secondary paths. Streaming options like Victor Mederos and Jake López (Athletics) provide portable upside. The overarching strategy: maximize two-start weeks by leaning into teams with robust schedules, while exploiting waiver-wire edges to secure high-floor arms.

Top options are grounded in recent form: Ryan’s Minnesota slate (Athletics then White Sox) looks as favorable as any two-start week, while Yamamoto’s Dodgers two-step (Rockies then Padres) carries obvious upside even in Coors. Horton’s late-season surge makes him a plug-and-play in all formats, and Pérez’s Miami schedule arms a high-strikeout week with reasonable win potential. Strider remains a high-risk/high-reward asset in two-start windows, and Leiter’s recent consistency supports aggressive use in routine leagues. Williams and Leiter broaden the two-start map, while others like Rodón, Pivetta and Kelly round out a deep pool of streaming and contingency options that fantasy managers should monitor through the weekend.

Today’s MLB DFS slate centers on a six-game DraftKings main and an eight-game FanDuel lineup, with the Mariners/Orioles and Guardians/Marlins games added for FD. The core upside rests on premium arms Joe Ryan and Eury Perez, with a blueprint to stack Mets’ bats around Pete Alonso and a high-ceiling share of Shohei Ohtani in the outfield. Add in a Blue Jays mini-stack around Bo Bichette and warm-up options like Brandon Lowe and Starling Marte to fuel several tournament builds.

Value plays shine in Addison Barger and Addison-style options, while the Mets’ stack leverages Carlos Carrasco’s rough splits, and the Jays’ lineup avoids Horton’s recent regression by leaning into a top-tier offense. The slate rewards a mix of cash-game solidity from Perez and Ryan, and upside pivots like Ohtani and Bichette in GPP formats.

Injury monitoring and late lineup shifts could tilt ownership, so pivots off the big-name arms—while still targeting solid floor—could pay off. The article emphasizes balancing elite upside with cost-efficient dart throws, all in a slate where appropriate exposures to the Guardians and Marlins can yield strong leverage.

Overall, a compact, star-driven core anchored by Ryan, Perez, Alonso, and Ohtani, with strategic stacks and value plays designed for both DK and FD formats.

On Thursday, August 7, MLB enthusiasts have a four-game slate to consider, focusing primarily on the evening contests. The matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates features standout pitcher Paul Skenes, who is aiming to rebound after a less-than-stellar outing. Despite allowing four runs last time, his previous five starts showed an impressive 0.67 ERA and high strikeout rate. The Reds, however, have struggled offensively, scoring over three runs just once in their last five games. Skenes' home performance is compelling, with a 1.87 ERA in 62.2 innings.

In the other game, the Atlanta Braves face the Miami Marlins with Eury Perez on the mound for the Marlins. Perez has been dominant recently, maintaining a 1.06 ERA in his last six starts. On the flip side, Carlos Carrasco, now with the Braves, has found his form after a rough start to the season. Atlanta's offense has been steady, scoring at least four runs in five of their last nine games. These matchups provide several betting opportunities, especially given the current trends of these pitchers and their respective teams.

Today, August 7, 2025, daily fantasy baseball enthusiasts have a mini-slate to work with, featuring just four games. The focus is on three key matchups, including the Chicago White Sox versus the Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves against Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates facing off against Cincinnati Reds. Notable pitchers to consider are Paul Skenes, who boasts a 2.02 ERA and high strikeout rate, and Eury Perez, showing promise after recovering from surgery.

Among the hitters, Josh Naylor is making waves with back-to-back homers since joining the Mariners, while Agustin Ramirez's impressive power production suggests potential for further success. Julio Rodriguez is another standout, blending power and speed effectively. With careful lineup decisions and injury monitoring, the right picks can yield significant rewards in today's DFS contests.

As the 2025 MLB season approaches, several top prospects are poised to make significant impacts for fantasy baseball managers this upcoming year. With the trade deadline having reshaped team rosters, particularly in Arizona and Baltimore, opportunities for rookie call-ups are ripe. Tyler Locklear's recent promotion to the Arizona Diamondbacks makes him a compelling add in deeper leagues. Meanwhile, teams may push for further promotions post mid-August to maintain rookie eligibility for next season, especially for talents like Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo.

Beavers has been a standout for the Norfolk Tides and is showcasing robust offensive metrics, including a .307 average paired with impressive power and speed. Similarly, Jordan Lawlar, now returning from injury, is set to capitalize on an open position in Arizona. His offensive prowess at Triple-A this season has been noteworthy, boasting a .319 average with power and speed. JJ Wetherholt is making waves in St. Louis, recently showcasing his offensive potential with a scorching hot streak that highlights his blend of contact, power, and speed. Other prospects like Owen Caissie and Moises Ballesteros might find themselves in contention for playing time if injuries occur among current MLB players, making them potential stashes in redraft leagues.