james shields

[WaCougMBS]

2.00 ERA, 2.68 xFIP despite the .249 BABIP (.304 career). Career high K/9, career low BB/9, though he is stranding an unsustainable 87.0% of base runners. His GB, FB, LD% are all pretty normal, as is his HR/FB.

I had been wondering how some of these numbers looked this year but had been too lazy to check since I don't own Shields in any leagues this year - seems like it's about as unrepeatable as his incredibly unlucky numbers from last year. I'm a big fan of "ride the streak", but I don't see how these numbers can be sustainable for too much longer - if I did own him, I'd certainly be trying to sell him right now as his value is at an all-time high today IMO

[thatguy27]

Can he keep this Up??

I just dont see how a career avg pitcher can all of a sudden become an ace. But stranger things have happened

Cliff Lee did it.

[gatorgreenwell]

"Since 2007, Shields is one of only five major league pitchers with at least 200 innings and 150 strikeouts per year. The other four: Justin Verlander, CC Sabathia, Dan Haren and Matt Cain."
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/s ... id=6528479

"The low walk rate and accompanying success of Shields can be traced to an adjustment he made in his delivery. He has simplified his delivery by stepping back more to the side behind the rubber. With less rotation needed from his upper body, his delivery is now less violent and more controlled. As a result, Shields is able to have better command of his pitches by having a more direct line to the catcher."
http://www.baseballprof.com/2011/04/tru ... hes-again/

[bleach168]

2.00 ERA, 2.68 xFIP despite the .249 BABIP (.304 career). Career high K/9, career low BB/9, though he is stranding an unsustainable 87.0% of base runners. His GB, FB, LD% are all pretty normal, as is his HR/FB.

I had been wondering how some of these numbers looked this year but had been too lazy to check since I don't own Shields in any leagues this year - seems like it's about as unrepeatable as his incredibly unlucky numbers from last year. I'm a big fan of "ride the streak", but I don't see how these numbers can be sustainable for too much longer - if I did own him, I'd certainly be trying to sell him right now as his value is at an all-time high today IMO

Currently the #2 rated starter behind Halladay. He's good but I would expect an ERA between 3-3.5 from here on out. Sell high if you can.