Chris TillmanI’ve been very critical of Chris Tillman‘s performance this season. I just don’t think his record has been indicative of his performance on the mound. However, Thursday night in Boston, Tillman threw an absolute gem in one of the Orioles most important games of the season. In doing so, he becomes the first Orioles starter to record a 15 win season since Erik Bedard in 2006.

Tillman limited the Red Sox to two runs on six hits over seven clean innings of work. My favorite stat though; he struck out eight and walked none. It’s just the second time this season that he’s held a team walk-less (May 24 in a five inning effort against the Blue Jays).

As MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko points out, Tillman is 12-2 in his last 18 starts and the Orioles are 14-4 over that stretch. He’s been the most consistent starter in one of the league’s worst starting rotations.

Tillman’s 3.61 ERA this season is amazing for a guy with a 1.23 WHIP. His 4.51 FIP suggests that Baltimore’s top rated defense have helped his numbers tremendously.

Still, Tillman is 3-1 with a 2.98 ERA and .192 opponents batting average after the All-Star break. If the O’s find themselves in the Wild Card play-in game, he’s got to be one of the top contenders to get to nod.