Shields (6-19) allowed five runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings in Saturday's loss to the Twins, and struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Shields' nightmare season has mercifully ended with him currently leading MLB in earned runs (119), home runs allowed (40, most since 2011) and tied for most losses (19) between playing for the Padres and White Sox. Shields didn't even get to extend his streak of nine seasons with at least 200 innings pitched; he fell 26 innings short. If there's one indication that Shields could rebound next year it's that he's had his best season ever after his previously worst the year before. 2010 is his only other year with an ERA over five and WHIP over 1.40, and he completely changed that the next year by turning in his best season ever (2.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP). However, he was 28 and 29 years old then. Now he's 34, and will have to fight against the headwinds of older age to turn things around next year.