Pirates won't be the only team using 'piggyback' tandem. How will it impact fantasy leagues?

If you’re already tired of hearing about the Pirates “piggyback” starting idea, too bad. They aren’t going to be the only team employing that type of tactic in this herky-jerky 2020 Major League Baseball season.

That’s what Jeff Erickson tells us in this week’s “Breakfast With Benz” fantasy sports podcast. He says multiple teams will probably employ some sort of similar tactic. The question then becomes, are you really going to get that deep into your fantasy league that you may be impacted by it?

For instance, through drafts, trades or free agent pickups, will your fate as a fantasy owner really come down to the notion of whether Chad Kuhl gets four innings per start and Steven Brault only gets three? Or vice versa?

“I’m in a National League-only keeper league,” Erickson says. “So we go fairly deep. There’s a concept in fantasy called ‘streaming.’ Use a guy for another time when he’s got an advantageous situation. Then move on off the waiver wire for the next time.”

Erickson actually says the Pirates “piggyback” tandem could be the perfect example of how streaming could work for you.

“The Pirates don’t get to face their own lineup. So they don’t have it as easy,” Erickson quipped. “But they do face a lot of American League Central teams this year. So if (Brault and Kuhl) have an advantageous start against the Royals and Tigers, that’s a good spot for them. You just don’t want them facing the Twins. You’ve got to pick your spots with guys like that.”

There’s the reverse effect, too. If you find yourself against fantasy league opponents who constantly find themselves chewing up “piggyback” tandems, that may not work out well for you.

Erickson and I then wade into the waters of injury information and how dicey it has become due to coronavirus privacy concerns. It’s already tough to get a read on some situations because managers aren’t allowed to tell media members the nature of some player absences. So, as a fantasy player, you are left guessing.

Just look at what has already happened in Pittsburgh with the likes of Gregory Polanco, Keone Kela and Ke’Bryan Hayes.

That’s going to be even more true for fantasy hockey players who are dabbling in modified playoff formats.

Also on the Pirates’ front, Erickson says he sees some people in the fantasy world cooling on Josh Bell, perhaps believing his hot two months early last season was a fluke.

We discuss some football as well. The Derrick Henry signing has some of the NFL stats types on edge. Erickson tells us why. We look at how the Bud Dupree grievance over his position mirrors some conversation in the fantasy football world for IDP leagues.

And we even talk a little golf as the Memorial is underway in Dublin, Ohio.

LISTEN: Tim Benz and Jeff Erickson break down how a 'piggyback' pitching tandem will impact fantasy leagues