Shields delivered six strong innings Friday against the Pirates, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out six in the no-decision. Shields was actually in position to lose when he left the game, but the Padres rallied in the seventh. The veteran righty's numbers are still more inflated than you'd expect from a top-flight starter pitching half his games at Petco, but they're bound to come down over time.

Shields moved to 6-0 on Sunday as he allowed three runs and struck out seven in seven strong innings against the Dodgers. After cruising through six innings, Shields got into a bit of trouble in the seventh, when he allowed a run on a bases-loaded double-play which was followed by a Alex Guerrero home run. He still managed to deliver his eighth quality start in ten tries and will face the Pirates in his next start on Friday.

Shields struggled to get through six innings, but yielded only one run on six hits and three walks while striking out nine Tuesday against the Mariners to improve to 5-0 for the season. Shields gave up his major-league leading 12th homer to Brad Miller in the fifth inning, then walked the first two batters of the sixth inning. He got out unscathed and allowed just one run in becoming the first San Diego pitcher since 2007 to start the season 5-0. Shields became just the sixth pitcher in Padres' history to win his first five decisions, and it took him a season-high 115 pitches. His next start is scheduled to be Tuesday against the Cubs.

Shields allowed five runs, but picked up seven strikeouts en route to a win in the 6-5 victory over the Diamondbacks Friday. This is back-to-back poor outings for Shields as he allowed five runs to both the Diamondbacks and Rockies, but managed to grab wins and seven strikeout performances in each game. The scary part is, is that Shields has allowed seven homers over those two games. Look for Shields to bounce back in his next game when he hosts Washington on Thursday.

Shields was touched up for five runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings against the Rockies on Sunday, striking out seven en route to his third win of the season. Shields struggled to keep the ball in the yard this time out, as three of the Rockies' runs against him came via the home run. Luckily each of the long balls came with no men on base, and the Padres offense was able to bail him out. Shields failed to record a quality start on Sunday for the first time this season, and will look to bounce back against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Shields picked up the win in a seven-inning effort Saturday against the Giants. Shields is now 1-0 on the year after a no-decision in his first start. He gave up three hits and one run while striking out seven Giants. Shields has a 1.80 ERA on the year with a 0.80 WHIP.

Shields allowed two runs over six innings of work in a no-decision Monday against the Dodgers. Shields was in line for the win after leaving with a 3-2 lead, but a bullpen implosion allowed the Dodgers to notch a 6-3 victory. He struck out eight batters, several of which came excellent changeups, and allowed two walks. Shields' major mistakes came in the fourth when he left a pitch over the plate to Adrian Gonzalez, who deposited it in the right field stands for a home run. He allowed a triple to the next batter he faced, but calmed down to finish six innings. Shields will return to the mound Saturday against the Giants.

Shields has officially been named the Padres' Opening Day starter, MLB.com's AJ Cassavell reports. This was one of the worst kept secrets of the spring, as Shields is no stranger to taking the ball on Opening Day and based only on his durability he profiles the most like a No. 1 starter of any pitcher in the Padres' rotation.

Shields threw five hitless innings against the Cubs on Sunday, striking out six and walking two on just 35 pitches. Shields bounced back nicely after allowing three runs in three innings in his last outing. Over his last three appearances, Shields has 16 strikeouts in 11 innings of work. Per a Union Tribune report, it's looking more and more likely that Shields will be the Padres' opening day starter.

Shields allowed three earned runs over three innings with five strikeouts and two walks Tuesday against Milwaukee. Shields had allowed just one hit and no runs over his first two spring outings, but was touched up against the Brewers on Tuesday. He allowed a two-run shot to Carlos Gomez on a 2-2 count in the second inning, as well as a double to Jean Segura in that frame. Still, Shields' strikeout numbers were solid once again as he K'd five batters for the second straight outing.