Sheets's Injury: The Big Picture

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 26, 2007 12:20 PM CDT in Milwaukee Brewers News

Whether Sheeter misses a couple of starts or a couple of months, this is a big deal, and we could talk about it all day. (In fact, we probably will.) But it's important that we get some perspective on the matter.

First, of course, it's awful. Sheets has the potential to be one of the best starters in baseball. Just because he's been off so far this year doesn't mean he couldn't turn the corner at any time; when he does, he'll win three out of four decisions and make everybody from Albert Pujols to Alex Gonzalez look silly in the process. Even when Sheets isn't at his best, we're a much better team with him than without him.

But. As odd as it is to be a position to say this, we're a pretty good team without him, too. First off, we're leading the division and have a positive run differential even though Sheets has been seriously mediocre all year. He's pitched much more like a #4 starter than a #1, yet somehow the team has survived. Even with our uninspiring run differential, this team is on pace for about 86 wins, and Sheets isn't the only one who could pick up the pace.

Not only have we survived Sheets not being Sheets, but we have plenty of options to plug in even if (heaven forbid) we lose Benny for the entire season. So far, Sheets has given us an average of six innings per start with an ERA of 4.50. Do you think Carlos Villanueva could give us that? I'll bet he could get close. Yovani Gallardo could probably give us that. Hell, Zach Jackson might be able to give us that. We've got options.

While Sheets clearly has the potential to be the difference-maker on this team, it's becoming evident that that isn't the difference between a good team and a bad team. It's the difference between a great team and a good team. The 2007 Brewers could win 85 games even if we don't get another inning from him all year long. And if that's the case, I'm pretty sure we could survive missing a couple of starts in the meantime.

Now that we have that out of the way, we can turn our focus to the real problem: Elmer Dessens.

Poll

If Sheets Misses a Turn, Who Should Start?

Yovani Gallardo

60 votes

Zach Jackson

22 votes

Carlos Villanueva

138 votes

Gabe Gross

48 votes

268 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 30 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

well put

i'd like to see Villanueva get the start and call up Capellan, or call up Jackson and Capellan and DFA dessens

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on Apr 26, 2007 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

What he said

I completely agree with ESK.

by dixieflatline on Apr 26, 2007 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

what about

the coming of the Lord

by kevind on Apr 26, 2007 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

i would hate

to be taunted with His appearance, only to have Him leave us shortly thereafter. After being in His Grace, it's nigh impossible to live without it, or something like that.

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on Apr 26, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

He may stay

We've been spoiled by an over-his-head Vargas this season, until returning to earth in his last start. There's no guarantee that Gallardo wouldn't stay and take Vargas's spot when Sheets returns.

Just sayin'

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 26, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

true enough

i just don't see Milwaukee calling up Gallardo right now unless it is totally necessary. I think 6 innings/start and a 4.5 ERA is definitely doable for Jackson though. Also, i would love to see them call someone up, have him thrive, and be able to sell a starter at the break.

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on Apr 26, 2007 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep

Just sayin', is all :)

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 26, 2007 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

I'm not on the Vargus bandwagon yet. Two starts does not make a year.

by Grinder12000 on Apr 26, 2007 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Poll question

why no Dickey?!?

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on Apr 26, 2007 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

I knew I was forgetting somebody!

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 26, 2007 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

whew

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=4/26/2007&id=22619

An MRI performed on Brewers right-hander Ben Sheets today confirmed he has a slight groin strain that is not considered serious.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 26, 2007 1:40 PM CDT reply actions

the question is

whether this groin pull is probably a symptom of bad mechanics. We've all agreed that Sheets hasn't looked quite right all year. Did he hurt the groin because he's compensating for pain somewhere else in him mechanics? Let's hope not.

Also, I'm not convinced that Spurling or Dessens can get anybody out. We need Villanueva in the pen. I would call up Gallardo, Capellan, and Jackson, to replace Sheets, Spurling, and Dessens.

by keephopealive on Apr 26, 2007 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Reaching

I think it's reaching to put the groin pull on his mechanics. The weather and field conditions were perfect for a strain of some kind, and Ben was actually running around and doing some fielding.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 26, 2007 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Probably not mechanical. If I remember right, he was just standing there to back up that throw, and then suddenly ran forward to cover 3rd. That is where I think it happened.

by grant76 on Apr 26, 2007 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't know Jeff

I think Sheets is a difference maker on this team. We're going to need him pitching well and consistently through the summer - we are only 20 games in to the season, I'm not hedging my bets that Vargas & crew keep pitching this far over their heads.

by jax and rajah on Apr 26, 2007 1:46 PM CDT reply actions

Over their heads

I don't think the other starters really are over their heads. Sure Vargas has K'ed a bunch of guys but his ERA is 4.76. I think it is very possible he stays in that range for the season. Bush's ERA is 5.04 despite having a K/BB ratio of 22/3. Cappy's ERA is 3.68 which might be a little better than he finishes. If anyone is over their head it is suppan at 2.97 but he was greatly helped by pitching at wrigley with that crazy wind his last start. Bush's ERA will come down and Suppan's will go up but I think that combined they are pretty much right on track.

by dixieflatline on Apr 26, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

not gonna miss a start

i think that is going to disappoint some Sheet's bashers here.

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on Apr 26, 2007 2:30 PM CDT reply actions

Moving on

They'll move on to Hardy. He made a bunch of uncharacteristic misplays in the field during the Chicago series, and only got overshadowed by Sheets's injury. Now that we're past that, it's time to talk about how JJ's hurting the team with all his home run hitting, and how his fielding is suffering for it.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 26, 2007 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

That's great

If his fastball tops out at 90 MPH again though we have a problem. I really, really, want a healthy Sheets when it matters and if that means missing a start against Keisler and the cards then so be it.

by dixieflatline on Apr 26, 2007 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Good

He's only listed as probable, however. It would be nice if he makes the start and everything's fine, but I'm afraid he'll talk the team into letting him start when he's not 100% and it'll make things worse. I guess we'll know for sure watching how Villanueva is used this weekend.

by TheJay on Apr 26, 2007 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Villy's Use

I would guess they'll try not to use Villy even if they think that Ben's probably going to start on Tuesday to protect themselves in the event he doesn't feel good warming up or has another short outing. They need to have a plan B ready on Tuesday. I wouldn't take non-use this weekend as any signal at all.

by jackie t on Apr 26, 2007 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I am disappointed

As a dyed-in-the-wool Sheets basher I get bored if he's pitching well every fifth day.

So, I'll try to pile on JJ here to entertain myself. Not only is his fielding hurting the team, but now that he's hit a couple of homeruns he's trying to pull everything. He just needs to stay back, not try to do much with it, and take the ball the other way. We don't need homeruns from our number two hitter. His job is to make contact and move runners around. When there's a guy on second and nobody out, I want to see him hit the ball on the ground to the right side. No doubt about it.

Don't try to do too much with it. Just take the ball the other way.

by shooty babitt on Apr 27, 2007 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Of course

If he were a salty, seasoned veteran, he'd know that.

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Apr 27, 2007 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Something we seem to be missing

We can't just bring up Yovani or Zach without sending someone down. If Sheets were to go the DL, then by all means, bring up the second coming.

If they are not going to put him on the DL, then Carlos would take his place if necessary. Any days off coming up?

by grant76 on Apr 26, 2007 2:49 PM CDT reply actions

after today

none until May 10

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on Apr 26, 2007 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

At least we're not the Royals

28 LOB through 11. 359 pitches thrown in the game vs. the Twins today (it's still going on).

by nmc on Apr 26, 2007 3:49 PM CDT reply actions

Why has noone discussed

Bringing up Braun? I realize 20 games doesn't make a season, but if we were to lose an impact pitcher (arguably) like Sheets, wouldn't it make a great deal of sense to bring up an impact bat to compensate?

by Wayfaerer on Apr 26, 2007 9:06 PM CDT reply actions

no

unless Braun has a sweet knuckler

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on Apr 26, 2007 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Everybody take a breath

It looks like Sheets is going to play.

So that's a relief.

I don't know about Hardy, though. I think JJ's hurting the team with all his home run hitting, and his fielding is suffering for it.

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Apr 27, 2007 1:34 AM CDT reply actions

Also

it's been confirmed that it was Ben Sheets' bloody groin in Curt Schilling's sock.

That Curt Schilling is one strange dude.

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Apr 27, 2007 1:36 AM CDT up reply actions

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