If the Brewers want any chance at making the playoffs, Sheets must win games more consistently and must stay healthy.

Ben Sheets has not lived up to expectations as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.

After leading the USA to a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, there were high hopes for the young pitcher, who was thought to be the Brewers ace of the future. However, a number of injuries and inconsistent pitching has made Sheets an average pitcher at best.

In fact, by the numbers, Sheets has been a below-average pitcher. He has a lifetime record of 62-71 with Milwaukee and a 3.87 ERA. This season, Sheets got off to a superb start on opening day against the Dodgers, throwing a complete game, two-hit shutout.

However, in his last two outings, Sheets has struggled mightily, giving up a total of 14 runs, which has led to two losses. Sheets is a bit comparable to Brett Favre lately, in the sense that hell go out and give you an unbelievable performance one game but the next game hell completely self-destruct.

If the Brewers want any chance at making the playoffs, Sheets must win games more consistently and must stay healthy. If you look at the history of the teams that make the playoffs in baseball, pretty much every team has had one thing in common: they all have had good pitching.

The Brewers are on the right track, as Chris Capuano and Jeff Suppan have looked very solid early on in the season. However, you really need that third shutdown starter to make the playoffs and thats where Sheets comes in. Right now, he is pitching like a fourth or even fifth starter.

Sheets also needs to win close to 20 games for the Brewers to have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. The most games Sheets has won in a season was 12. In his six seasons with the crew, he only has finished above .500 twice. He was 11-10 in 2001 and 10-9 in 2005, not the kind of numbers you expect from your ace.

Entering his seventh season, Sheets time for potential has run out. Its time for him to fight off the injury bug, focus, and help lead this young and talented Brewers team to the playoffs.

If Sheets remains inconsistent or is put on the shelf again, its time for the Brewers to start seriously questioning his future in Milwaukee.

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