In what could have been his last start in a Rays uniform, James Shields did something that no other Rays pitcher had ever done: strikeout fifteen batters while walking none. Allowing only one run on two hits, Shields was absolutely dazzling on the mound. Sadly the Rays offense (yet again) could only muster two hits, plating nary a single run. Tampa Bay ultimately lost this one by a score of 1-0 for fifth time in 53-game span. They’ll have one more opportunity to win 90-games in the season finale Wednesday.
It should be noted that no pitcher in MLB history had ever taken the loss when striking out 15+ with no walks and two hits or less. That is until James Shields tonight. Sigh. Joe Maddon called the loss, “The crime of the year. “Here-here to that.
Shields absolutely dealt. Posting a 9.0 IP/2 H/1 R/1 ER/o BB/15 K line, Juego G threw 106 pitches, (70 for strikes, a 66% strike-to-walk percentage) coaxing 11 swinging strikeouts. Shields pounded the zone, throwing well over 60% of his pitches (with the exception of his two-seam fastball) for strikes. He also had a powerful fastball which topped out at 96 MPH. Locating his fastball with a ramped up velocity isn’t something that we’re accustomed to. Perhaps he was making a statement with this outing?
For whatever reason, James Shields saved his best for last. Now the rumor mill is starting to gear up with only one game left in the season. The question du jour, will he return next season or not? I counter, the question should be whether the Rays will pick up his option next season or not. In all honesty, if it was wholly up to him, I think Shields would gladly put on a Rays jersey for another year or so. But Shields stands to make $10.25 million next season, and we all know what that could mean from a payroll point of view. Could Tampa Bay afford the co-ace of the staff by not re-signing (or not picking up the options of) Carlos Pena, Luke Scott, BJ Upton, Kyle Farnsworth, etc? Also keep in mind that David Price is eligible for arbitration in the off-season, and the Rays are going to need to pick up some crucial offensive pieces if they’re going to be a force in 2013.
There’s no doubt that Shields has played a pivotal role in the Rays becoming a contender over these last four years. He’s accrued more that 200 innings of work consecutively in the last four seasons, while striking out more than 200 batters the last two. Shields has garnered a reputation for being a franchise player and a workhorse; a player that any team would be head over heals to have in their starting rotation. One thing is certain, Shields isn’t a fluke. Then again, I don’t think that’s up for debate.
Would we, the Rays fans, love to see the return of James Shields next season? I’d have to say undoubtedly yes. Sadly, neither Stu Sternberg or Andrew Friedman are seeking guidance from any of us on the matter any time soon. So soak this one in friends, we may not be graced with a “Big Game” James performance come the first week of next April.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZsWUf5ITb0]
Shields on his impressive start. (Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times)