Orioles' Tillman to start potential Game 5 of ALCS; available in relief in Game 4
If the Baltimore Orioles live to play another game, they'll turn to their de facto ace with the season on the line.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter announced prior to Game 4 that right-hander Chris Tillman will start a potential Game 5 against the Kansas City Royals.
If the Orioles deny the Royals a sweep in their American League Championship Series on Wednesday, Game 5 will be played Thursday at 4:07 p.m. ET at Kauffman Stadium.
"We can win three games as fast as we can lose three," Tillman said prior to Game 4.
Losing four straight is indeed rare for the Orioles. The last time Baltimore dropped that many in a row was during a four-game skid from May 27-30.
No team won more games with the same starting pitcher on the mound this season than Baltimore did with Tillman. The Orioles were 24-10 in Tillman starts, bolstered by the right-hander's 3.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and second consecutive 200-inning season.
The 26-year-old has pitched to less impressive results this postseason, allowing seven earned runs in 9 1/3 innings of work.
Showalter also said Tillman and Game 2 starter Bud Norris are available to pitch out of the bullpen Wednesday.