Ben Sheets will start for Atlanta Braves on Sunday as he completes Minor League assignments-MLB
Ben Sheets is set to start his first game in the season for the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. After playing two Minor League games, the management is convinced now that he can smoothly throw in the season. Sheets threw six innings on Monday while playing for
the Double-A Mississippi and allowed one run.
With some of Atlanta’s pitchers injured, the veteran starter has a special role to play on return.
Since Brandon Beachy is not available on rotation, filling the void of his absence is a huge challenge.
In-fact, the club inked a contract with him in order to make sure their rotation remains solid and keeps them afloat, even in the face of injuries to the players.
Furthermore, his presence has come with the belief that he boasts immense experience at the Major League level. Therefore, he will help the club cope with pressure-cooker games down the line.
However, since Sheets is returning after a gap of around two years, management was concerned initially. Reservations were expressed regarding his effectiveness on comeback. For the same reason, he was sent to Minor League games so that he could gain rhythm
and find his top-notch form.
In this regard, the way Sheets threw in the Minors, Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez will be happy. His command was appreciable as he did not give up many runs in the matches.
Meanwhile, the fact the Major League hitters are going to treat him differently will not be lost on Sheets. While in the Minors he may not have suffered rough-ups and faced the pressure that follows them as during the season situation is going to be different.
There is every possibility that as soon as his confidence goes down due to quality hits being struck to his throws, he begins leaking runs and causing defeats.
In this respect, it is interesting to observe as to what extent the Atlanta scouts are correct in judging his credentials for pitching in the season.
That requires analysis of the outing that he is going to have on Sunday.
Therefore, one will be waiting to see Sheets perform before evaluating the Braves’ move to call him in the season.
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