Tap-In Question: Tillman or Jimenez, which one would you have chosen?

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• In my opinion, Tillman has earned it. That, and I understand that Ubaldo is on only 4 days rest. The harder choice would have been Tillman or Gausman if he had been available.

  Jeepers, throw in Bundy, and suddenly, the rotation seems to match up with anyone's! Who would of thunk it just 2 months ago?

  As far as tonight's game goes, the bigger questions are:
  1) Is Buck going with Kim & Bourn over the Bull?
  2) Is your Tap Room open tonight? I'm feeling up for some fake beer!?!

  GO O'S !!!!

  • Actually, Jiminez would be pitching on regular rest, having gone last Thursday. Tillman has an extra day of rest. As one of those who clamored to DFA Jiminez, I am delighted to eat my words. Does he credit anyone in particular for helping him with this rarely seen turn around in performance? Here's hoping he starts another 4-6 games as the fairy tale ending goes on!

  • 1. Gotta think Bourn is still in the mix. And I'd be shocked if Kim isn't vs RHP. 2. Open all night. Tho the barkeep is gonna be distracted with his day job at night.

  • To O's in NY: He mainly credits his faith in God in the positive attitude to turn him around. The coaches work with him but at his age he just has to find the mechanics that work for him. And only he can do that.

• Tillman.

  As good as Ubaldo has looked the last month, he's still Ubaldo Jimenez. The risk of him making his transformation from the wolf back into plain old Michael J Fox is just too great for a winner-take-all scenario. Plus, I love him matching up with Darvish in a game 1 in Arlington.

  One thing that does concern me, as inappropriate as it may be for a Tap Room, I assume everyone saw all the images of the Orioles celebration Sunday. The social media landscape was abuzz with images of Baltimore Orioles pounding Budweiser like frat boys in Panama City, one of the most prominent being... Chris Tillman. I'm certainly not one to moralize on drinking beer, but isn't Chris the one guy who should have volunteered for designated driver duties Sunday night?

  • They have a bus. And a plane. And I'm sure the bus driver was sober as a judge :). And, seriously, I'd say about half a beer is pounded per 10 sprayed. And it's Budweiser.

    • I realize that no one actually needed Chris Tillman to give them a ride home, Dan. I suppose it's just me being curmudgeonly and thinking spraying Champagne and Beer, when you finished tied for second place and still have to win a winner take all road game to get in the quarterfinals, is a little ridiculous.

      • Amen on that Mr. Moustache. A one game playoff does not constitute the playoffs ... or something like that. BTW ... You Michael J Fox / Wolfman reference is classic. I love reading your stuff.

  • Sober as a judge, Dan? Good thing Sidney Ponson wasn't in the area.

• Gotta stick with our ace, so Tillman is the right call.

• Ubaldo. Buck is always reminding us that momentum is all about the next starter. Tillman hasn't been good since the shoulder issue started (hopefully it's better now). Jimenez is the hot hand. Neither has a great track record against the Jays, or in Toronto over the long term.
  I don't get it. but... Buck has out managed me a time or two, so I will trust his choice. I have to imagine that Ubaldo's ability and willingness to come out of the pen didn't help his case to get the start. So, here's my question:
  Tillman has a history of taking an inning or two to settle in. Do you think he is on a short leash tonight? If he gives up his typical 2 runs in the first, is he pulled the next time a runner gets on base? Can't wait to find out how Big Sho handles things. Go O's!

  • I think you make a great point about Ubaldo coming out of the pen, something that Tillman isn't used to doing. I believe that makes it easier to start Tillman with Ubaldo able to get ready quickly behind him. Yes, Tillman has the shortest leash ever. If he's getting hit hard, even if they're loud outs, look for Jiminez to come in after the first time through the order.

  • I do. Its why Bundy and Ubaldo are in the pen

• For $19.83, I'm gonna need a lot of Natty Bohs over here. Keep 'em coming!

  Before Tillman hit the DL earlier this season, I would have chosen him, no doubt. But strangely enough it was right about that time that Ubaldo found himself again and started to look like the Cy Young caliber pitcher the O's signed a few years ago. Admittedly, I went on a statistics based rant from the bar earlier this year on why there's no way I would start Ubaldo in Toronto. Last week he proved me wrong. However, I think despite recent success I'd still shy away from him in this must win game.

  Buck always expounds on how long his memory is. That cuts both ways though, as Tilly's track record for the last 3 years shows that he's been the consistent ace of the staff. Over that same time period Ubaldo has shown flashes of brilliance, but also a lot of inconsistency mixed in as well. While neither has been particularly successful in Toronto, it comes down to who's earned this start the most. And while the choice is easy to second guess, hands down, I'd go with Tillman.

• Tilly, gets the nod for me . He's earned it, but let's hope Buck has a quick hook if needed. That worries me after sticking with Miley tooooo long on Sat. But I trust Buck as always and I thought the post game celebration was great! No on field stuff, just a little silliness in the clubhouse,they needed that it's a long season.

• I fell asleep after my birthday in July and just woke up. (Thanks for all those drink chits, Dan.) Glad to see the O's are in, but sorry it's just the second wild card. But wait, I don't understand this crazy question...Tillman or Ubaldo??? Why would anyone even consider that?

  Seriously, I go Tillman, on a three-inch- long leash. And I thank the baseball gods for Ubaldo's turnaround. Without it, we'd have nothing to watch tonight.

• Well, I guess this one's been settled. :(