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Shields Ready, Eager For 1st Series Start

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By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: October 23, 2008

Updated: 10/23/2008 01:11 am

ST. PETERSBURG - Maybe because he is the elder of the group, James Shields knows not to be scared.

When he takes the mound tonight in Game 2, Shields said there will be some anxious moments, but after watching the Tampa Bay organization languish near the bottom of the league the past eight years, he plans to soak up the World Series moment.

"I'm the type of pitcher that, I want the ball, you know," Shields said. "I thrive on that. I thrive on getting the ball, and all our starters do."

At 26 years old, Shields is the oldest among the Rays' starting pitchers. And that he's only 26 bodes well for Tampa Bay's future. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon talked about the opportunities for the starters, including Shields, who came with "all the bells and whistles," to get better the past several seasons.

"Being as bad as we have been the last two years, we were able to give guys on-the-job training," Maddon said. "You talk about patience, you talk about good message, you talk about ... there's the whole program you try to put out there, accountability, etc.

"All of a sudden, you get all those things going on, and you've got talented guys that are able to turn into what you're seeing right now."

Shields, who ranks first in Rays history with a .571 winning percentage, set a single-season Rays record with his nine home victories this year.

In Saturday's ALCS Game 6, Shields suffered a rare disappointing home outing with his second consecutive postseason loss when he allowed four runs, including a pair of home runs, on nine hits in a little over five innings.

"I don't think I was on my fastball command as I wanted to be," Shields said. "I was just missing the plate. But sometimes that happens.

"And I thought I did a pretty good job of getting as deep as I could in the game and giving our team a chance to win."

The Rays need Shields to go deep in Game 2. Tampa Bay boasts a record of 20-7 when Shields lasts at least six innings.

"I'm definitely going to not feel the same as a normal, regular-season game," Shields said. "I'm going to be anxious and I'm going to be ready to go."

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860.

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