Maybe I'm a scrub, but where is the meaty mass of frigates? They can be very effective against anti-cruiser units and the sheer number of them can basically force the enemy to build up their supply of anti-frigate forces.
Frigate swarms are surprisingly deadly without a counter as many of the heavy weapons available can't target them.
End of igncom1's quote
It comes down to efficiency. Because Cruisers are more durable, things like healing and regeneration have a greater effect. As well, a Cruiser at 10% health still has 100% of its damage potential; Losing 90% of your Frigates loses 90% of their damage potential.
I don't think it has to do with being a scrub or anything, it's just a different way of looking at the problem. Personally, I also go the Cruiser route, because I prefer to keep individual armies alive as long as possible, and that's just a little easier with Cruisers.