Shields looking right this time around

MINNEAPOLIS - Three starts into the season and James Shields, the much maligned right-hander who came from the Padres in a questionable trade last June, is looking like the accomplished right-hander the Sox thought they were getting when they made the deal.

Shields' six-inning performance Sunday was the third good outing in as many starts for the 35-year-old who ranks first in the major leagues in innings and starts since 2007. After going 6-19 with a dreadful 5.85 ERA between two teams last season, Shields is making quality starts again, posting a 1.62 ERA with a 1-0 record and two no-decisons. The only run he allowed was an inside-the-park homer by Brian Dozier leading off the fifth, one of nine hits against him all season over 16⅔ innings. He struck out 5 and walked 3.

"Just trying to be as aggressive as I possibly can, trying to mix up speeds, get them off balance a little bit," Shields said. "We have a long season to go. I'm off to a good start but we have a lot of work to do."

Shields has featured a slow curve more than usual this year. He dropped a 69 mph pitch in for a strikeout of Miguel Sano in the first and got the slugger to look at another slow curve for strike three in the third. The scoreboard described it as an Eephus pitch.

"Yeah, I did see that," Shields said, smiling. "It's kind of funny. I've never seen that before."

• This report was produced in partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times. For more coverage, check chicago.suntimes.com.