Shields + Linebrink = 1 Ace?

[stlcardsfan]

I have Shields and I'm thinking of picking up Linebrink. I'm sure someone has thought of this before, but how come no one ever uses 2 top middle relievers like Linebrink and Scott Shields in place of an ace? Looking at their stats over the past year or two, if you combine them you have someone with about 160 IP, 160 K, 15-16 W a sub 3 ERA and WHIP around 1.10, plus you may get a handful of saves too. That's about as much as you can ask for from a SP not named Santana. Am I missing something here?

[The_Met_Threat]

I have Shields and I'm thinking of picking up Linebrink. I'm sure someone has thought of this before, but how come no one ever uses 2 top middle relievers like Linebrink and Scott Shields in place of an ace? Looking at their stats over the past year or two, if you combine them you have someone with about 160 IP, 160 K, 15-16 W a sub 3 ERA and WHIP around 1.10, plus you may get a handful of saves too. That's about as much as you can ask for from a SP not named Santana. Am I missing something here?

For roto sure its a great idea. But for H2H its not really signifigant.

[flowbee]

you lose a roster spot that could be used to get saves from a closer or whatever your needs are, and probably lose out in strikeouts or wins

[The Jury]

It's a well-known strategy and works effectively in roto, and in leagues where you aren't giving up saves in order to play the middle relievers.

[DieHardCubbie]

I have Shields and I'm thinking of picking up Linebrink. I'm sure someone has thought of this before, but how come no one ever uses 2 top middle relievers like Linebrink and Scott Shields in place of an ace? Looking at their stats over the past year or two, if you combine them you have someone with about 160 IP, 160 K, 15-16 W a sub 3 ERA and WHIP around 1.10, plus you may get a handful of saves too. That's about as much as you can ask for from a SP not named Santana. Am I missing something here?

For roto sure its a great idea. But for H2H its not really signifigant.

Like Mets said...It is a pretty solid strategy in rotoball...but not that effective in H2H...

In roto...I have used that strategy quite often and been pretty sucessful with it...

[LouisC9999]

I'm using Soriano and Shields like that (12-team, 5x5 roto):

34.1 IP, 1 W (2 wins blown by Guardado), 31K, 2.11 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 1 SV

[phunkadelic]

The biggest issues are:

- that getting wins from set-up men is extremely inconsistent. One guy could get 9 wins one year, then one win the next year with the exact same ERA and WHIP - luck is a heavy factor for middle relievers.

- it uses up a bench spot that you could be using for that young potential stud like Anthony Reyes - or for that guy who's on the DL, but you have all your DL spots filled.