White Sox: James Shields racks up another loss against Detroit Tigers
White Sox pitcher James Shields has been up and down all season, but there has been one constant – he struggles against the Detroit Tigers.
And, in Thursday’s game at Comerica Park, the White Sox got another loss as Shields earned his second loss in three games.
Since the White Sox face the Tigers 19 times each season, it is time that a better pitcher faces the AL Central rival.
In 2018, Shields has faced the Tigers four times. The first outing was April 5, he gave up three runs in five innings pitched; he did not earn the loss, but the Sox fell 7-9. On May 27, he earned a loss after giving up three runs in a 2-3 game. He pitched seven innings against the Tigers on June 17, again he gave up three runs and it was enough for the Tigers to get the win.
This time, Shields broke his streak of giving up three earned runs. During the matinee in Detroit, he gave up three home runs instead and his final line included seven earned runs off of ten hits. Ouch.
Surprisingly, in 2017, Shields earned two wins against the Tigers. They were big wins, too. The first was an 11-2 game on April 6. The second was 17-7 on September 14. Those were the only two times that Shields pitched to the Tigers that season.
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That 1.000 record in 2017 was a fluke as Shields struggled against the Tigers in 2016. His first game against the Tigers while wearing a White Sox uniform was on June 13. While he did not receive a decision in the game, he did give up seven runs in five innings. The White Sox ended up winning that game in a walk-off in extra innings. Shields pitched in three more games that season and the Sox lost all three, with Big-Game James give up 10 runs in the three games.
In 2015, he pitched for the San Diego Padres and never saw the Tigers. But, when he was with the Kansas City Royals in 2014, he earned three losses to the Motor City Kitties. The Royals won one game he pitched and the fifth was another no-decision for him. In total, the Tigers scored 16 earned runs off of his pitching in 2014. In 2013, he went 3-2 against the Tigers – so his real troubles with them started in 2014.
Next. Who will be the next White Sox call up?. dark
Fortunately, the White Sox and Tigers face each other three more time in August. And, Shields will not pitch in any of those games. But, there are three more head-to-head games at home in September. Hopefully, Shields can get over his troubles with them if he happens to be scheduled to pitch on any of those days. Or, maybe he’ll be gone at the August Trade Deadline??