What is the general consensus on optimal number of tandems to run? I have 6 legit starters so I could theoretically run 3 tandems, but not sure if running guys out there for ~50 pitches at a time will be the most optimal, since that could get only 2-3 innings a pop. Will 50 pitches be too much?

Honestly if you have 6 starters then deal some of them. Most worlds are dying for decent starters.

I can usually get away with running 3 pairs (~60 pitch max each) rotating a fourth pair every other cycle. And that's with half my tandems having aprox 25/60 DUR/STA. It's a pain in the but to manage though.

@sjpoker, I'm not getting a good enough return in trade offers

@brianplath, do you feel that you get as many innings or more out of your guys this way? On top of that, I like being able to mismatch lineups. Running RH/LH tandems essentially gives you that advantage over half of the innings your tandems pitch

If you're going to run tandems, you need to get 7 innings combined, preferably 8. Your bullpen will be short so you don't want them throwing 3-4 innings. You probably should drop pull to 1 and set PC at 55/60. At 15 pitches per inning, you're getting 4 from each guy except for the bad outing. Hopefully you get 3 from a guy in that case.

If you don't have 6 guys who can handle 60 pitches every 4th game, you're probably not tandem-ready. If you're forced to go 4 tandems in order to make it happen, you need one of those 70 Dur/40 Stm pitchers in the pen. Otherwise, you're going to end up carrying 13-14 pitchers and that's inefficient.

Yeah I run all rh/lh combos and it makes those lefties really shine. I've got no choice since i've got 8 good/serviceable starters and almost no RP's. It's essentially 8 guys with a mop up and a so-so RP so I need the tandems going the entire game. But like I said, it's a hassle playing musical chairs when it gets thrown out of whack.

just use your 4 best starters in a 4-man rotation and just use the other 2 as LRA or setup