Shields takes All-Star precautions

Despite a 1.87 ERA in nearly 40 outings this season, reliever Scot Shields would seem to be a long shot to make the AL All-Star team. That still has not prevented Shields from protecting his chances of earning his first All-Star nod. Shields refuses to talk about anything All-Star related out of fear it might jinx his chances.

The last two years, Shields looked like he was potentially All-Star worthy. And in both years, a reporter asked him about making his first All-Star squad. On that same day in both years, Shields had an incredibly brutal outing that led to a defeat. So now, Shields quickly deflects any All-Star talk. He figures it not only will help his chances of going to San Francisco on July 10, it also will help prevent another defeat for his team. Talk about the lengths some guys will go to.