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Last year Sheets' out pitch was a curveball spiked in the dirt. I haven't seen him spike one curve with two strikes yet this season. That may be why he has such a low strikeout total. Anytime he is ahead in the count with two strikes, he seems to throw a fastball. Why?

He can't locate his curve this year. He's having a really hard time throwing it for strikes. Its tough to throw a breaking ball when you have no idea where its going.

Do you think he is hiding an injury?

Ill-yasova wrote:Do you think he is hiding an injury?

If you have an injury you're not hitting the mid 90's with your fastball like Sheets is.

Historically, Sheets curve starts coming to life when the hotter, more humid weather hits. Sounds goofy but the heavier air helps the breaking ball.

Ayt wrote:He can't locate his curve this year. He's having a really hard time throwing it for strikes. Its tough to throw a breaking ball when you have no idea where its going.

He's also not locating his fastball like he can.Many times tonight and in prior games,he'd have guys 1-2 in the count and instead of painting the corner,he's catching the middle of the plate.

Both will come,i'm not concerned

This may be just me reading into things a little to much but last night when a clip was shown of him warming up he was blowing air out his mouth and watching the mist come from his mouth and then he looked like he didn't like that he could see his breath because he got a weird look on his face and I remember saying to myself. Sheets must not like to pitch in the cool weather. So I also think he will locate his curve when it warms up.

Wizardofwisc wrote:This may be just me reading into things a little to much but last night when a clip was shown of him warming up he was blowing air out his mouth and watching the mist come from his mouth and then he looked like he didn't like that he could see his breath because he got a weird look on his face and I remember saying to myself. Sheets must not like to pitch in the cool weather. So I also think he will locate his curve when it warms up.

It always feels weird to watch Sheets pitch because he's always doing things that make you think he's injured, like the hand blowing and the little backbend he does. I hope the strikeouts come, but as long as the team's getting wins, he can force as many outs as many different ways as possible.

Hate to bring this back up after a solid outing, but again only Two strikeouts. Still not spiking the curve in the dirt. And throwing way to many fastballs in two strike counts. What is the deal?

Personally I think that Sheets was getting figured out by both players and coaches on the opposing team. And i also agree with the fact that his pitching all-around will get better as the weather keeps warming up.

Dont fret Ill-yasova. it will come around.

Here's another reason. Teams seem to be attacking Sheets earlier in the count because they know they don't have a good chance once he gets 2 strikes on them.

He's still not locating well. His walks are way up compared to previous seasons and his K's are still way down.