Orioles Stud of the Week

Continuing our tradition from last year, the editors here at Baltimore magazine will be picking an Oriole with the best performance every week all season long. 

Admittedly, the O's have gotten off to a rough start (with a very taxing schedule), but we don't think it's any coincidence that our two wins have come when this guy is on the rubber.

Stud of the Week for March 31-April 6:
Chris Tillman

The line:
In his two starts so far (against arguably the MLB's best teams in Boston and Detroit), Tillman has only given up two earned runs in 13.5 innings, earning him an ERA of 1.35.

Studliest moment:
Tillman's performance yesterday was that of a bonafide ace, saving the Orioles from a sweep by the Detroit Tigers. The 25-year-old pitcher outplayed former Cy Young Award winner and MVP Justin Verlander, throwing a career-high 8.1 innings, only allowing six base runners and striking out five. Our favorite moment was seeing Tillman still on the mound in the ninth inning (no other O's starter has gone more than six this year).

The clincher:
After the game yesterday, while Tillman's teammates and manager were hurling praise at him, he responded with characteristic modesty: "In order to get to where we want to go, we got to play against the best,"  he told MLB.com. "So I think we have a good group of guys, and that's our team mentality, not just me."