Padres James Shields has rough outing against the White Sox

On Friday, James Shields allowed four runs and six hits 2 2/3 innings in a 8-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox. In his previous start on March 6, he pitched two shutouts innings, allowing two hits and striking out four in 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics. In two starts he is now 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA.

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There was speculation during the offseason that he was on the trading block due to his $10 million salary for this season. Now that he is staying put, he will among those who will be counted on to help improve this team after going 74-88 last season.

Is it time to panic over the 34-year old? Absolutely not. He did not reach expectations last season though when he went 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA (his highest since 2010 when his ERA was 5.18 with the Tampa Bay Rays).

In 319 career games, Shields is 127-97 with a 3.74 ERA. His best days are behind him, but he is still a good pitcher. Whether he improves from last year or not will be interesting to see.

The Padres have not had a winning season since going 90-72 in 2010 and have not made the playoffs since 2006. It does not look like they will make the playoffs this season or even have a winning record, but any improvement under first year manager Andy Green will be a step in the right direction.

The Padres won 6-3 over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday and are 3-8 this spring.

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Andrew Cashner, who had a rough 2015, going 6-16 with a 4.34 ERA is 1-0 in two starts, allowing no runs and three hits in five innings. He has struck out six.

The Padres will kick off the regular season at home on April 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. James Shields will not be the Opening Day starter this season – giving way to Tyson Ross – but he has every intention of being first in line for 2017.

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