The pressure is on Emmet Sheehan

Los Angeles, CA - July 12: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) delivers a pitch during the first inning of an baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

While away from the field, they added the best pitcher in the sport; on it, the Dodgers try to avoid getting swept at home by the hottest team in baseball. Speaking of Tarik Skubal, his acquisition combined with the impending return of Blake Snell and the lack of any impact arms going the other way to Detroit looking for the future, means that certain Dodger pitchers are on notice.

If we were to go strictly by 2026 performance, Sheehan would be the odd man out once Snell is reintroduced in the starting rotation. Even though there are other factors at play, such as Justin Wrobleski’s workload management and the unsustainability of Eric Lauer’s terrific numbers. The Dodgers, more than any other team, know just how quickly plans change and depth becomes a necessity. Still, it’s clear that Sheehan is pitching for a role with this team; which one specifically remains to be seen. Nothing is guaranteed when the competition level is so high. Wrobleski, who started the season in a similar boat as Sheehan, has already done his part and then some. Can the twenty-six-year-old New York native finally find a groove before it’s too late?

For this game specifically, Sheehan has an experience edge over the Red Sox starter Jake Bennett. One of many unsung heroes of this miraculous turnaround, Bennett is the starter with the lowest ERA on Boston’s staff at 2.48, although there is a caveat of a smaller sample, having made just 11 starts as a rookie.

Bennett will be the third straight lefty that the Dodgers face in this series against the Red Sox, perhaps helping explain their bad fortune up to this point. The Dodgers have a solid offense against lefties, but it hasn’t been nearly as dominant as against right-handers. Teoscar Hernández’ homer on Saturday is the type of impact we need to see more of from the likes of him, Andy Pages, and Mookie Betts.

Sunday’s game info

Teams: Dodgers vs. Red Sox

Ballpark: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Start time: 4:20 p.m.

TV: NBC/Peacock

Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →