As we stated in our last blog entry, Maddon had been doing a good job lately, but needed to manage with a sense of urgency, and changing around his rotation to get James Shields extra starts was going to backfire. So let's take a look
July 1st-Shields lost 5-0 against BLUE JAYS-Shields lost
July 7th-Winning 1-0, couldn't finish, gave up tying run in 8th, No decision
July 12th-Rays score 3 runs in the 6th winning 3-0, Shields gives up 3 in the 7th, Rays lose, Shields no decision
July 17th-Rays score twice, take 2-1 lead in the 3rd, Shields gives back 5 runs in 3rd, makes it 6-2
Now in the meantime, David Price had his best game of the year, winning 3-2, and Niemann threw his second complete game shutout of the year. But Niemann only pitched once, while Price got 2 starts, and Shields had 4 starts.
Joe Maddon has a good pulse on this team, but why tinker with things that are working. The Rays had won 7 in a row, and them lost 4 in a row, won 4 in a row, and then blew 2 leads and games they should have won. Would they have won more if the rotation hadn't been changed? We really have no way of knowing, but when your pitcher who is winning the most games this year continues to get pulled and you give those starts to a pitcher who isn't winning, it just doesn't make sense.
Shields ERA this season is better than Niemann, and he has pitched well overall, but the point is the Rays continue to lose when Shields pitches, while they win when Niemann pitches. Why change and take 2 starts from Niemann and give them to Shields, when the odds are against you winning.
As far as Shields not getting run support this season, that is true. However when he does have a lead, he has failed to put teams away this season, and gives back leads. Being a #1 starter, means you need to be able to put teams away, and help your team when they aren't giving you run support. Shields just hasn't been the go to guy this season that stops the losses.
Joe Maddon has done a good job with this team lately, but all the mistakes early in the season that cost the Rays so many wins, especially with Kaz and Sonny, are now making even the slightest mistake stand out, as the Rays simply have no room for mistakes at this point if they want to get into the playoffs. This team needs a sense of urgency, and they need it now. Giving away so many games to last place teams isn't what a playoff contender does. 72 games left after tonight, there simply isn't enough time to keep making mistakes.
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