Starters versus each other?

[cwrtlm]

I posted this question in Who start and bench section but haven't got any replies, thought this was a good overall question as well. Is it good to start your starters vs. each other? I know in Football you wouldn't start two defenses against each other, but didn't know about in baseball with starter. Here is the link to my question in the other forum, but thought I would also post here to get more help. Thanks for all the help, this forum is a true asset to a newbie.

[jblank]

Why would it be a problem? Only one person can get the win, yes, but the accumulated stats K's, as well as the potential bonus in WHIP and ERA, make it well worth it.

[A Fleshner Fantasy]

Definatly do it. Most of the time, you will get a win out of it, as well as the K's, ERA, and WHIP that you would normally get from those pitchers.

[Bwanna]

I've never understood the concern people have when starting opposing pitchers, especially when both are capable of having great games.

You have zero chance of getting 2 wins, but you have a much greater chance of getting at least one win, and a much less chance of getting zero wins. Also, their ERA, WHIP, and Ks are independent of their opponent.

If they weren't facing each other, you'd have a greater chance of getting 2 wins of course, but you'd have a less chance of getting one win, and a greater chance of getting zero wins.

Logically, it makes no sense not to start both just because they are facing each other.

I know in Football you wouldn't start two defenses against each other, but didn't know about in baseball with starter

Not always the best approach in football either. If I happen to have the #1 and #2 defenses and they are playing each other, 9 out of 10 times I'm going to start both. The only time I wouldn't do this is when I needed points so badly that I needed to gamble on a less capable defense in order to gamble that I'd get two shutouts. It's a gamble tho because both D's could collapse, and the one defense I didn't start could excel.

Bottom line:
1) starting best players/teams == best chance of getting points period
2) avoiding starting opposing players/teams == gamble for more points, risk losing more points