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Shields Itching To Start

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By CARTER GADDIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 19, 2008

Updated: 06/19/2008 12:12 am

ST. PETERSBURG - Sitting and watching is not James Shields' thing. His teammates call him Big-Game James, but at this point the Tampa Bay Rays right-hander would settle for any game, big or small.

"I'm definitely itching," said Shields, whose six-game suspension for his role in a brawl between the Rays and Red Sox on June 5 ends today. "I can't wait to come back."

Because of two off days, Shields will end up with nine days between his start today against the Cubs and his last start, a 6-1 loss to the Angels on June 10.

It's the culmination of a fairly disjointed two weeks, during which Shields has lasted only one-plus inning against the Red Sox (he was ejected in the second inning) and has given up six runs in an eight-inning, complete-game loss.

He hasn't won since May 9, a one-hit shutout of the Angels at Tropicana Field. But then, he hasn't had a string of every-fifth-day starts since the end of last month. Manager Joe Maddon is hoping today will begin a period of greater stability for his Opening Day starter.

"I know he's going to be ready, and I know he's going to be fresh," Maddon said. "I really have a lot of faith in this young man. I think he's going to be really good tonight."

One potential concern is Shields' ability to control his emotions when he returns to the mound. He has been very good at home - his ERA at Tropicana Field is 1.72, second-best home ERA in the American League - but he has yet to pitch this year on nine days' rest.

Harnessing all that bottled-up energy will be paramount.

"I'll just try not to get too pumped up, just stay relaxed," Shields said. "I'm trying not to put too much emphasis on my next start."

In six starts since that May 9 shutout, Shields is 0-3 with a 4.97 ERA. That includes four earned runs in one full inning against the Red Sox before his ejection on June 5, without which his ERA since his last victory would be a far more respectable 4.13.

And even though the past two weeks have been disjointed - and frustrating for a pitcher used to appearing every fifth day - it could be a blessing in disguise for a pitcher whose 2007 season ended two starts early when the team chose to sit him down for "precautionary rest."

"He's gotten, actually, more rest than he normally would at this point," Maddon said. "So, maybe as we continue down the road, it's going to benefit him later on in the season."

Reporter Carter Gaddis can be reached at (813) 259-8291 or igaddis@

tampatrib.com.

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