masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgChris Tillman takes the mound for the Orioles tonight for his 10th start of the season. Tillman has pitched very well over his last three starts.

In that time, his ERA is 1.13 and he has allowed 14 hits and two runs over 16 innings. Now the Orioles would like him to get deeper into the games as he has pitched six, five and five innings over those starts.

His mound opponent tonight is a very talented lefty in the A’s Gio Gonzalez, who is 5-2 with the sixth-best ERA in the American League at…Chris Tillman takes the mound for the Orioles tonight for his 10th start of the season. Tillman has pitched very well over his last three starts.

In that time, his ERA is 1.13 and he has allowed 14 hits and two runs over 16 innings. Now the Orioles would like him to get deeper into the games as he has pitched six, five and five innings over those starts.

His mound opponent tonight is a very talented lefty in the A’s Gio Gonzalez, who is 5-2 with the sixth-best ERA in the American League at 2.20. Gonzalez is averaging 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings this year, which is fifth-best among AL starting pitchers.

In four May starts, Gonzalez has pitched even better than his overall numbers. He is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.65 and batting average against of .186 this month.

There are even more impressive stats on Gonzalez. His batting average against is just .103 (4-for-39) when pitching with runners in scoring position. The four hits have all been singles.

It gets even better for him. Over the last three starts, opponents are 0-for-14 against him with runners in scoring position and on the year, opponents batters are 0-for-20 against him with RISP and two outs.

Did I mention in five home starts, Gonzalez is 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA and .193 batting average against?

Looking at those numbers the Orioles will either be shut out tonight or score 12 runs in the first three innings.

You can never figure this game out, but on paper, Gonzalez looks almost unbeatable. Of course, they don’t play the game on paper or else they would need a really big sheet tonight in Oakland.

Coming tonight: As you watch tonight’s game feel free to call me when I host “Baltimore Baseball Tonight” from 10 p.m.-midnight on 105.7 FM The Fan in Baltimore.