masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNEW YORK – Chris Tillman didn’t pitch in the 2012 Division Series against the Yankees.

He’s come a long way in two years.

Tillman was named the opening day starter and he’s taking the mound for Game 1 of the Division Series on Oct. 2 at Camden Yards – opponent to be determined.

“Just like the first game he pitched this year, he carries that torch well,” said manager Buck Showalter. “This gives him the option of pitching two games in the first round.

“He’s pitched 200 innings two…NEW YORK – Chris Tillman didn’t pitch in the 2012 Division Series against the Yankees.

He’s come a long way in two years.

Tillman was named the opening day starter and he’s taking the mound for Game 1 of the Division Series on Oct. 2 at Camden Yards – opponent to be determined.

“Just like the first game he pitched this year, he carries that torch well,” said manager Buck Showalter. “This gives him the option of pitching two games in the first round.

“He’s pitched 200 innings two years in a row. That’s quite an accomplishment, physically alone, and then you have to pitch well in order to do that.”

Tillman has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 20 consecutive starts.

“Chris has graduated,” Showalter said. “It’s been a lot of fun to have a good seat to watch him. He’s a pro. He’s turned into a guy that I’m real proud of the way he goes about his business. It’s not always perfection, but you feel good about him giving you a chance to win.

“It wasn’t clear cut. Chris will be the first to say that. But he’s been pretty consistent since Day 1.”

tillman-sidebar-whitenew.jpgBack in 2012, Showalter chose Joe Saunders over Tillman to pitch Game 4 at Yankee Stadium. They both were led into the interview room the previous day, and Saunders eventually got the call.

So, what’s so different about Tillman two years later?

“Just his presence,” Showalter said. “You can tell he doesn’t panic. He kind of knows who he is. He knows where to go. He has a lot of confidence in the endgame, so to speak. The sky’s not falling after 10 pitches in a game. Let me get through this. He saves his bullets a little bit. You can see he goes back and gets some. He knows the process.

“Some of that changes in the playoffs. It’s let it rip from pitch one and then see how far I can take this. Stuff plays in the playoffs. Sometimes finesse doesn’t.”

We’re still waiting for Showalter to announce the rest of the Division Series rotation.

“We’re going to wait and see a few things,” he said.