White Sox: Five Takeaways from Series Against Orioles

Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder J.B. Shuck (20) watches the home run off the bat of Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (not pictured) during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (25) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

James Shields Regressed Hard

Shields had one of his worst starts in a White Sox uniform on Sunday. Although he got off to a very rocky start with the White Sox, Shields was able to turn the corner and pitch quality starts for the team afterwards.

On Sunday however, Shields was rocked for eight earned runs by the Orioles. The Orioles hit four home runs off Shields, with Machado hitting two of the home runs. In his last two starts, Shields has given up 14 earned runs in just 6.1 innings pitched. The White Sox should have traded Shields before the deadline to any team that was willing to take him.

The White Sox didn’t need an impressive return for Shields in my opinion in order to trade him, but the team’s reluctance to part ways with the veteran pitcher might hurt them moving forward. If Shields’ last two starts are any indication, the White Sox might have to tax their bullpen even more when he’s starting.

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