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Tampa Bay Rays Top 10 Pitching Seasons Ever

By Austin Reimann
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 15: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays checks a runner at first base against the Boston Red Sox July 15, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 15: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays checks a runner at first base against the Boston Red Sox July 15, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher James Shields #33 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher James Shields #33 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

#9 James Shields’ 2008

James Shields makes his second appearance in the top 15 with his 2008 season. The trio  of Kazmir, Garza, and Shields led the way for the Rays in 2008 and Shields was the workhorse of the staff.

Breakdown:

  • Record: 14-8
  • ERA: 3.56
  • IP: 215
  • ERA+:124
  • K:160
  • WAR: 3.9

Although none of the stats from his 2008 season really jump out at you, James Shields’ 2008 campaign was pivotal in the Rays run to their first and only World Series appearance ever. He was the ace and the workhorse of a young pitching staff. Shields was the only pitcher to throw over 200 innings while, at the same time, posting the second lowest ERA of the group, second only to Kazmir’s 3.49.

Making 4 starts in the Rays magical postseason run, Shields went 2-2 scattering 9 runs (8 earned) over 25 innings pitched. One of the four starts included a World Series start in which he threw 5.2 scoreless innings. That pitching performance led the way in the Rays only fall classic win in franchise history.

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