James Shields looks to redeem himself in Game 5
SAN FRANCISCO – James Shields was brought to Kansas City not necessarily to win playoff games, or live up to a "Big Game James" moniker that he never asked for.
Instead, Shields was viewed as a high-quality innings-eater who could shepherd a developing Royals team toward elusive success, and he succeeded wildly on both counts.
But now that Shields and the Royals are in the playoffs, and he received the wild card game start and any Game 1 assignment for which he was available, it's hard to duck how poorly Shields as playoff ace has played out.
It's not just that Shields is having a bad postseason – entering Saturday he was having the worst postseason of any pitcher.
In four playoff starts, he's been peppered for 15 earned runs – most of any hurler – and a 7.15 earned-run average, and his 1.79 walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) was worse than anyone save for Oakland reliever Dan Otero, who pitched less than two innings.
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And while his Royals club has shown resilience in moving just two wins away from a World Series title, much of that has come in spite of Shields, not because of him.
After the Giants tied the series with an 11-4 Game 4 victory, the stakes are clear for Shields' second start of this World Series: Take a 3-2 lead back to Kansas City, or push the Royals to the brink of elimination.
After his Game 1 pratfall, Shields acknowledged he came out too "amped up," resulting in missed locations that the Giants turned into seven hits and three runs in just three-plus innings.
Sunday, he'll once again be charged with beating Madison Bumgarner, the game's preeminent left-hander. But Shields has much to take care of himself before even worrying about besting his opposite number.
"I've been on this stage before," Shields said Saturday, "and I know exactly what to feel like when I'm out there. And I think this time around, I'm not going to be as amped up and just try to keep my emotions in check."
Indeed, Game 5 marks Shields' 11th career postseason start, seven coming with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was the starter and winner in their lone victory in the 2008 World Series, but has a 5.74 playoff ERA.
Sunday will be his chance to reverse the trend. To that end, Shields optimistically pointed to adjustments made in an encouraging bullpen session with pitching coach Dave Eiland, talk of "getting behind the ball" and not rushing his delivery and other such technical tweaks.
Still, this is a pitcher who failed to reach the sixth inning in three of his four starts this postseason. That could put the Royals in a tight spot, given that Game 5 will be their third game in as many nights and they already used the devastating bullpen trio of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland to win Game 3.
Royals manager Ned Yost doesn't have many options. So he has little choice but evince faith in Shields.
"I've seen him pitch for 65 starts or so," Yost said Saturday. "I know what type of pitcher he is, one. And I've got confidence in everybody on my staff. I know his intensity. I know his work ethic. I know his competitiveness.
"I know that as much as a lot of (media) think these guys are light's out perfect every time they go out there, they're not. They're human beings. But I know (Sunday) when he steps on that mound, he's going to be ready both physically and mentally to compete and give us his best effort. And that's all I can ask."
Shields' task is exacerbated by Bumgarner's presence. His astounding World Series track record – a 0.41 ERA in three starts – is impossible to ignore.
"Gotta go find a way to beat him," says third baseman Mike Moustakas. "His track record speaks for itself. Coming out, we gotta find a way to get on him early, figure him out, and see where we're at."
That, too, is Shields' task – finding a way to get outs in a postseason where that's proven elusive.
"I mean, you're always working," he said Saturday. "I don't think I'll ever stop working until I'm done playing baseball.
"Like I said, we went into the bullpen, fixed a few things mechanically. And hopefully it translates into the game. And I'm sure it will."
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