James Shields on Wild Card start: ‘I love the moment’
By Hayden Kane
The Kansas City Royals made a big, risky move when they traded for James Shields before the 2013 season. They gave up a top prospect in Wil Myers in that deal and stand to possibly lose Shields at season’s end.
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Shields has pitched well in these two seasons and now he is set for his big moment, the very moment for which the Royals were planning when they added Shields.
The Royals are hosting the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics, and they have their ace for that single-elimination game in Shields.
In an outstanding pitching match-up between Shields and Oakland’s Jon Lester. For his part, Shields says that this is exactly the kind of game he plays for. As quoted in the Kansas City Star:
"“That’s what I like to play for,” Shields said. “That moment. I enjoy the moment. I love the moment.”"
Shields also describes himself as an “adrenaline junkie,” meaning that he seems to think that he has the goods to be a big game pitcher. With the biggest game the Royals have played in over 20 years, he will have that chance.
In 34 starts this season Shields went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA. It will be interesting to see if Royals’ manager Ned Yost rides Shields like an ace or if he is quick to go the bullpen with an “all hands on deck” approach.
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