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.