Joe Davis' announcer jinx has Emmet Sheehan in need of fixing major Dodgers problem

After posting a 2.82 ERA in tick over 73 innings pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, the expectation was for Emmet Sheehan to have a full-time role in the rotation this season. The Dodgers have stuck to that plan, but Sheehan hasn't exactly reached another level of success.

Through his first nine starts this season, the 26-year-old has a 4.93 ERA. He's still missing bats, striking out over 26.4% of the hitters he's faced this season, but Sheehan is getting squared up more often. For reference, he's served up nine home runs this season after giving up just seven last year.

Looking further into his struggles, Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis seems to have said the quiet part out loud. During Tuesday night's game, Davis alluded to the young starting pitcher needing to have success in the first inning of games. Of course, Davis said this right before Sheehan walked Gavin Sheets in the first inning ahead of giving up a two-run home run to Manny Machado.

Emmett Sheehan's weakness signal an eventual role change with Dodgers

The classic announcer jinx! But in this case, Davis was on the money. Sheehan's ERA on the season during the first inning of his starts is 10.00. Opposing teams are hitting .270/.308/.649 in 39 plate appearances with four home runs.

For reference, between the fourth inning and sixth inning, that drops to .257/.342/.443 through 79 plate appearances. Most importantly, Sheehan has a 2.95 ERA through those innings.

Sheehan's issues are bizarre. Typically, the reverse concept is true, considering most lineups have success against a starting pitcher their second and third time through.

For now, Sheehan is going to remain in the rotation. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are expected to be sidelined for the next several weeks, and Sheehan will need be part of the Dodgers' solution. That being said, the Dodgers recently acquired Eric Lauer from the Toronto Blue Jays. They are going with a six-man group, but perhaps another approach could work.

Lauer could serve as an opener for Sheehan before handing the ball over to the right-hander as a piggy-back option. Lauer has had his own struggles, so this idea doesn't come without risk, but it could certainly be better than what LA has been getting from Sheehan this season.

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