Why can't I quit you, Cole Hamels?

Yogi Berra once said “Good pitching always beats good hitting… and vice versa." Bad pitchers seem to beat me up. At least the ones on my team. I wonder how I didn't see it coming. Take a look at this year’s disappointments. You’ve got the injured hurlers: Brandon Webb and John Lackey; those recovering: Cole Hamels and Scott Baker; and those who are bad for no reason: Josh Becket, Cliff Lee and Francisco Liriano.

So, how long do you wait? Do you bench these flops? Or do you hope they’re shelved on the DL for awhile? Trading, while doable, is risky – not to mention painful when your league mates burn you with them. And yet dropping just doesn’t seem right. Really, how do you drop Cole Hamels?

My advice: suffer with them for now. But be smart about it. Bench when appropriate. If it’s a Sunday afternoon and you’re barely winning ERA, you should bench the misfit. Their track record shows these guys are winners. Their streaky start could just make their turnaround that much better. Law of averages, right? If you have an unproven pitcher who’s not cutting it, then by all means, drop him, trade him, spit on him….whatever. But think twice before discarding a star.

Here’s a look at some pitchers who are showing promise to improve your staff:

LaTroy Hawkins – will only give you 3-4 weeks of relief while the ailing Jose Valverde recovers from multiple hematomas in his right calf. Astros starting pitching has been a nice surprise this season, and if the offense shapes up, the save opportunities will increase.

Dallas Braden – a bright spot on the cellar dweller Athletics with a 2.10 ERA. His WHIP is a little high for his ERA, proving he’s able to settle down and get key outs. Or he’s just lucky. With the A’s offense struggling, don’t count on a lot of wins, but he’ll help keep your ERA down.

Sean Marshall – has been steady since earning a spot in the starting rotation on April 16 vs. the Cardinals. Marshall is unlucky in the win column, but ERA is impressive at 3.32. Strikeout numbers are equally good at 15 over the 18 innings he’s notched as a starter. Still available in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Scott Richmond – owned in only 58 percent of Yahoo leagues, Richmond boasts a 2.70 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He’s 3-0 on the season for the Blue Jays.

Cinco de Mayo

Sports Radio 610 teamed up with Cyclone Anaya’s for Cinco de Mayo, shown here with Matt Jackson and Adam Wexler. Matt has convinced Marc Vandermeer, and even the 610 sales staff, to get a Von Wafer mohawk if they beat the Lakers in the playoffs. I declined, but my dogs are in.

Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.