ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays will wrap up a respectable first half with their No. 1 starter on the hill facing the A’s in a Sunday
afternoon affair at Tropicana Field.
James Shields is just 6-6 on the season, but the numbers hardly reflect the right-hander’s performance.
“Whenever he goes out there, it’s like a six-plus, seven-inning game that he’s going to throw,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “And we always have a chance to win. … I think he’s been pitching really well. And even on the days when he doesn’t have his best stuff, he’s normally in there late in the game.”
Any problems Shields has had this season have dealt more with what the offense has done on the nights he’s started than the way he’s pitched. The Rays are scoring just 2.61 runs per game on the nights Shields pitches. To put that number in perspective, consider the fact the Rays have scored 4.83 runs per game when Scott Kazmir starts.
Even the offense knows it has not come through for the team’s top starter. As Shields addressed reporters on Saturday afternoon, designated hitter Pat Burrell stuck his head into the pack and commented: “I think he’s having a hard time keeping his concentration after all of our big innings.”
Shields smiled, but he would never slight the offense. Instead, he pointed out the fact that he’s faced the opposing team’s No. 1 pitcher during most of his outings.
“I think I’ve faced maybe two or three [guys who weren't the No. 1 starter], which is kind of odd, because normally the first month you’re facing No. 1 guys and then the whole schedule switches,” Shields said. “This year, it hasn’t worked out that way. When you’re facing their No. 1, you’re going to have to deal with that.
“What I’m disappointed with is my team is 9-9 when I’m pitching. That’s what I don’t like. I don’t care if I get the wins or anything like that, the team’s 9-9 when I’m pitching and I’ve got to get better than that.”
If Shields does find trouble on Sunday afternoon, he will have plenty of help in the bullpen since almost every pitcher on the team is available for duty since Tampa Bay’s next game won’t happen until Friday in Kansas City.
“I think the last game going into the All-Star break is a pretty big thing,” Shields said. “Hopefully, we can come out and win and feel good unlike last year.”
Thomas Gemkow is the editor-in-chief of TampaBayRaysFan.com. Founded in January of 2009, TampaBayRaysFan.com is a compilation of all the best of the Rays, from across the web. The website can be followed on Twitter
