KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals considered bringing back right-hander James Shields for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series this past Wednesday, but instead decided against it and went with lefty Jason Vargas. There was the matter of the kidney stone Shields had just passed. Everything worked out, with the Royals beating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 to advance to the World Series. And Shields is feeling better after getting 11 days of rest before facing the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium in Game 1 of the World Series. Reporter Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star broke the news that Shields hadn't been feeling so hot recently. Actually, Shields said the pain was "excruciating": Shields underwent a CT scan to determine the source of his discomfort. By then, the team's medical staff deduced he had already passed the stone. Shields still looked wan on Monday afternoon, when a rainout of game three allowed the Royals the opportunity to use him on regular rest for the fourth game. Instead, they went with Vargas as they swept the Orioles. In part, the team felt compelled to keep Vargas fresh for this upcoming engagement with San...