‘Average Game’ James Shields On Display In ALCS Opener

By RantSports Staff on October 11, 2014

Game 1 of the 2014 ALCS was years in the making for both the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles. After the long wait, the action on the diamond did not disappoint.

Down 1-5, it seemed like the Orioles were KO’d. But they came roaring back in the 5th inning. The man they call ‘Big Game’ was on the mound for KC, but so far this postseason, he’s just been ‘Average Game’ James Shields.

Baltimore was able to grab all the momentum with a three-run 5th inning and nearly rode it to a big comeback win.

Even though the Royals pulled out yet another extra-inning victory, the fact remains that their ace was unable to put in five quality innings, or at minimum stop the bleeding early in the 5th. All Shields had to do was avoid the big inning with a four-run lead, but he let the Orioles crawl back in the game, and eventually they tied it up on a couple of freak plays the following inning.

Yes, Shields left the game with a lead. But his stat line says it all: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 7.20 ERA.

10 hits over five innings is just not going to get it done on most October nights. And it’s certainly not good enough to warrant the ‘Big Game’ moniker.

James Shields is a high quality big league pitcher who looks great at times. But he’s really not all that great when it counts the most. Over his last five postseason starts, Shields is 1-2 with a 7.46 ERA. He’s only made it past five innings one time in that span.