James Shields’ disastrous stretch now reaching historic levels
The Chicago White Sox had hoped they were adding a workhorse when they acquired veteran right-hander James Shields from the San Diego Padres. Instead, they’ve inherited a pitcher mired in one of the worst stretches in MLB history.
That’s not an overstatement, either. In fact, it may actually be an understatement. That’s how bad things have gotten for the 34-year-old right-hander.
Over his last four starts, which includes his final start for San Diego and his first three for Chicago, Shields has allowed 32 earned runs over 11 2/3 innings. Again, that’s 32 earned runs, which is good for a 24.69 ERA. If you break it down batter-by-batter, he’s only retired 35 batters over that same stretch.
You may want to shield your eyes from that graphic, pun absolutely intended.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]
You can also see how Shields fared in Saturday’s 13-2 loss in Cleveland. White Sox fans were hoping for any small sign of progress against the division-leading Indians. Instead, Shields continued spiraling and made the worst kind of history, becoming only the second pitcher ever to attain this noted level of futility.
Yeah, he did it alright.
Now we ask the obvious question: What’s wrong?
Is he hurt? Is his confidence shot? Are his mechanics out of whack? Or maybe, just maybe, was it the home run heard around the world that threw his world off axis?
We’re not saying Bartolo Colon is the cause of all this. We’re also not saying he isn’t. All we know is those before stats are much more in line with what we’re used to seeing from Shields, and the after stats are a pitcher who doesn’t belong in MLB.
Looking at those early starts though, he actually produced like the workhorse who had made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 200 innings every season since 2007. Where that guy has gone and how he’ll get it back are the main concerns now of the White Sox, and they need answers fast. Not only to help stop the bleeding in the standings, but to justify paying him $27 million of the $58 million he’s owed over the next two seasons.
Every direction you turn, this trade looks a lot uglier for general manager Rick Hahn, but all he can do is hope for the best.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
