Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan addressed the media on June 28, 2026, following a strong outing against the San Diego Padres, pointing to better execution and a collaborative game plan as the keys to his performance.
Sheehan credited catcher Chucky, who called the game, and coaches Mark and Connor, who assembled the game plan, for his success on the mound. "I thought Chucky called a great game," Sheehan said during the press conference. "Mark and Connor putting together a game plan did a really good job, too, so I trusted that completely." Connor also worked directly with Sheehan on a curveball adjustment ahead of the start. "Connor kind of worked with me on changing the curveball a little bit, so I think that got a little easier to locate," Sheehan noted, adding that the adjustment allowed him to deploy his full pitch mix against a tough lineup.
Sheehan acknowledged that managing frustration during the first couple of months of the 2026 season — while working on consistency in his delivery — had been a challenge. "Pretty hard to do when you're not pitching well and losing games," he stated. His mental approach centered on separating process from results: "You got to try to separate the process from the results as much as possible." Broadcast analyst EK had observed during the game that Sheehan was landing his breaking ball for strikes, which helped him navigate the Padres lineup.
Sheehan explained that having seven days between starts made a tangible difference in his preparation. He said he had seven days between outings and was able to throw two bullpen sessions during that span, which he credited for improving his execution and comfort in his mechanics. Between-start work focused on staying in his throwing motion rather than coming out of it later in games, consistent with what the team has emphasized throughout the 2026 season.
Even after the win, Sheehan stressed that the approach would not change. "Even on a win, I think it's just as important to stick to the work and keep it going," he said, identifying staying in his mechanics and slowing the game down as the primary goals moving forward.