Shields Hit With Another Tough Loss

James Shields allowed only two runs in seven innings but was hit with loss in the Astros' 3-1 win over the Royals on Wednesday. It is the 14th time that Shields has lost a start in which he allowed two or fewer runs since he made his major-league debut on May 31, 2006. That is the most such losses for any American League starting pitcher over that span (second most: 11 by John Danks and Ervin Santana).

Shields strong again in Royals' 3-1 loss to Astros

Lyle, Astros Handle Royals

Jordan Lyles pitched six solid innings and J.D. Martinez hit a two-run homer to lead the Astros past the Royals.

Astros win series with 3-1 victory over Royals

MLB FANTASY FACTS - Shields Change Up is Good

Opponents have hit .172 in at bats ending on James Shields' changeup, with a strikeout rate of 32.4 percent, seventh-best in the majors. The Astros have struck out 28.3 percent of the time against changeups this season, the fourth-highest rate.

BBTN 500: Players 51-100

Curt Schilling and Karl Ravech take a look at the BBTN 500 player rankings for the 51-100 range.

MLB- Royals keep coming up 1 short for Big Game James

The Royals are 3-4 in games started by James Shields (he's 2-2 in them), despite his 2.52 ERA. All 4 of the Royals losses in his starts have been by 1 run

Fantasy Facts - Shields' offspeed pitches

James Shields has thrown his changeup, slider or curveball 62 percent of the time this season, the highest rate among pitchers who have made at least five starts. The White Sox have struck out in 32.2 percent of plate appearances ending in those pitches, sixth worst in the league.

Shields Bests Rays; Royals Head Into May At 14-10

From Elias: James Shields, who racked up a franchise-record 87 wins for Tampa Bay, earned a victory in his first start against the Rays, picking up a 8-2 decision on Tuesday night that lifted the Royals' record to 14-10. Since 1990, there has been only one other season in which Kansas City headed into May at least four games above the .500 mark; that happened in 2003, when they took a 17-7 mark into May and finished at 83-79.