Weekly Lineup Changes Question

[brokemoke04]

Fantasy baseball veteran, first time playing with weekly lineup changes. As far as I can see, is there any advantage to owning more pitchers than are allowed to be started at one time? The bench seems to be a lot less important in weekly lineup changes, you can't shuffle pitchers for example. I'll be active on the waivers each week for two start pitchers with good matchups and such, but is there a point to owning more than 9(the max allowed to be active) at one time? There are people in my league who drafted as many as 14 pitchers, but I'm guessing those bottom 5 will sit there a few weeks then get dumped. Is this correct? I appreciate the advice of someone more experienced, thank you.

[footballisbetter.com]

I think quality starting pitching is more important in weekly lineup leagues. I HATE the strategy of picking up lesser quality starters just because they get 2 starts in a week. That has blown up in my face far more than it has worked for me. I would rather have quality starters on my roster to choose from. That is just my opinion though.

[brokemoke04]

I appreciate the answer. My main question is however:is there a purpose to owning more pitchings than you can start in a given week? How do you best use your bench?

[footballisbetter.com]

I appreciate the answer. My main question is however:is there a purpose to owning more pitchings than you can start in a given week? How do you best use your bench?

Yes. I like the idea of drafting quality starters, even if some are on your bench. It gives you options each week to start matchups and 2 start pitchers.

[The Big Train]

Depends to a certain extent on how many teams are in your league and what waiver junk will be available as a result. The larger the league, the more important pitching depth will become. As the previous poster implied, it's really about having choices available to you so long as you are prepared to do the homework prior to the beginning of the week. (Not to mention the fact that a deep pitching staff can help overcome the inevitable injury that occurs during the season.) If you just want to throw your top pitchers out there week after week without regard to who they are playing then a larger bench isn't as important.

Example: You have James Shields on your roster. A fine pitcher, but with definite home/road splits. You notice that for the upcoming week he has starts in Boston and New York. On your bench is, say, Mat Latos who has two starts at home in Petco against San Francisco and Colorado. Shields is the better pitcher at this point, but Latos gives you an option to consider if the idea of Shields in NY/BOS gives you the chills.

[fast dogs]

I appreciate the answer. My main question is however:is there a purpose to owning more pitchings than you can start in a given week? How do you best use your bench?

1 guy in our weekly league carrys all pitchers when all his offense is healthy. If your FA pools are very nearly as good as your bench players use the FA pool as your bench, at least for the M inf spots. these guys will rotate their worst options but they always want to find the next great arm. your matchups are alot more important in pitching than batters, more choices ends up being a good thing. A bench of hitters that won't displace your starters doen't help alot either,however some weeks your lesser SP will be better starts then the generally higher reguarded guys. If you are in a very deep league with no talent left in the FA pools its tougher to carry as many extra arms