I have two pitchers with 116 and 89 IP that I'll need to use to essentially fill my 4th starter roll.  One is a RHP and the other is a LHP.  Both have IP/G around 6.

I am thinking about doing a Tandem because I'll get more PH chances and exploit platoons better.

What  would the advantage of splitting their starts using the 4A/4B settings?

I can't think of a situation when using Tandem is inferior.

Tandems exploit platoons better, but 4A/4B exploits lineups that are LH or RH dominant.  If you're facing a team with 6 LH regulars, wouldn't you rather have your LHP pitch as much as possible?

But over the course of a season, I would guess the advantage this confers is very very small.  I would probably use them in tandem, for exactly the reasons you suggest.

What are the batting stats of those pitchers?

Are one or either viable threats at the plate in some form?  That might impact how they get sequenced in a game.

neither can hit

Posted by contrarian23 on 4/2/2011 12:03:00 PM (view original):
Tandems exploit platoons better, but 4A/4B exploits lineups that are LH or RH dominant.  If you're facing a team with 6 LH regulars, wouldn't you rather have your LHP pitch as much as possible?

But over the course of a season, I would guess the advantage this confers is very very small.  I would probably use them in tandem, for exactly the reasons you suggest.

I wonder if  I can switch back and forth during the season without screwing stuff up to much.   

I'm assuming you are using a 5 man rotation, because having them in a 4 man, which means they'll be pitching every fourth game, with a total of only 205 innings between them, you will likely run into some serious fatigue issues (especially with the 89 inning guy), even if you set them at 40/40.  As a point of reference, I currently have the 125 inning Cy Morgan and 88 Chamberlain (135 innings) in a 4 man rotation as a tandem, and even they aren't back to 100% each time through the rotation despite being set at 40/40 and 40/50. While it should be noted that my guys are pitching at Coors, which will definitely cause much quicker fatigue, but rightly or wrongly, I still am of the opinion that you will have a hard time keeping them fresh throughout the season, even at the lowest possible setting of 40/40.  

No it's a 4 man.   I don't have any problem setting the 89 IP guy at 40/40  pull 5.   

I've played this game before, I am sure I can make it work ;)

Sorry if you took offense to my post Joe, because no offense was meant. I was just pointing out my own experience (which is much less than your's), with low inning tandem guys.  But I would definitely appreciate it if you would sitemail me after about the 30th game or so and let me know how that tandem is working out because I would be shocked if either of the guys you mentioned made it back to 100% after the second time through at 40 pitches.

I will be using a Tandem A/B as well in a 2001 Progressive.  I have Pedro Martinez and Kevin Brown, both at a little over 100 innings.  Good Luck, Joe.  I have used Tandem A/B before and was satisfied with the results.

As a matter of fact i just did this in a Regressive league i run.  Woody Williams and Adam Eaton made up the Tandem and even though Eaton had an era just under 5, he went 17-2 as my team scored a lot!  Woody Williams had slightly better stats, but usually only made it 3-4 innings, and he was 0-9.  I basically ended up getting a 17-11 pitcher out of 2 guys who made up my 4th starter, not too bad when you throw in two 20 game winners and a 16 game winner as the other 3 starters.

I occasionally use the tandem setting, but mostly when I'm in a progressive and don't have a solid 4th starter to throw in there. I've messed around with it a few times in OL/CL leagues and usually target guys with 95-105 IP, so I think your pitchers have a perfect amount of IP. However, rbow is dead on regarding the PH, and the fact that you don't face many platoons (except in some progressives). 

bump

Posted by mixtroy on 4/3/2011 7:50:00 PM (view original):
Sorry if you took offense to my post Joe, because no offense was meant. I was just pointing out my own experience (which is much less than your's), with low inning tandem guys.  But I would definitely appreciate it if you would sitemail me after about the 30th game or so and let me know how that tandem is working out because I would be shocked if either of the guys you mentioned made it back to 100% after the second time through at 40 pitches.

After 7 "starts"  Martinez and Sowers are fine fatiguewise.   I mean they can't get anyone out but that's cool ;)

Pedro Martinez '06 (R)	Tandem #4A	100	7	0-2	0	19.2	6.41	.250	1.42	6.86	3.66	3.64M
Jeremy Sowers '06 (L)	Tandem #4B	94 (100)	7	0-1	0	16.0	5.63	.234	1.19	3.94	2.25	2.01M

Martinez is averaging 43 pitches per appearance, Sowers 32.

I just moved Pedro to 50/50 Pull 2 to get more out of him.
Sowers  is still 40/40 Pull 5.