Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz gets the start Thursday night at Camden Yards as the Red Sox wrap up their four-game series against the Orioles. The start comes just one day shy of the five-year anniversary of Buchholz’s major league debut in 2007.

After spending much of April and May with the highest ERA in the majors, the 28-year-old has been Boston’s best starting pitcher for more than two months, leading the team in wins (10), ERA (4.24) and WHIP (1.28).

The Sox have won eight of Buchholz’s 10 starts since the end of May and the righty is coming off his best performance of the year: a complete game in which he allowed just two hits and one earned run en route to a 3-2 win over the Indians.

In his three previous starts against the Orioles this season, Buchholz is 1-0 with a 5.00 ERA. The Sox won in his only start at Camden Yards this year, though Buchholz struggled, giving up five earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.

In 119 career at-bats, the current Orioles lineup is hitting just .210 against Buchholz, though five of their 25 hits have been for home runs. J.J. Hardy has been particularly successful against Buchholz, recording four hits, two homers and three RBIs in 10 at-bats.

Taking the mound for Baltimore Thursday is Chris Tillman. The 6-foot-5 righty boasts a 3.40 ERA along with a 5-2 record in just seven starts.

Tillman was called up from the minors on July 4 for a start against the Mariners, and in his season debut he carried a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning before he was removed with one out and two men on base.

Against Boston, Tillman has not had nearly the same success. In two career games against the Sox, Tillman is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA. The six Boston players with plate appearances against Tillman are hitting a collective .464.

Red Sox vs. Tillman (RHP)

Carl Crawford (14 plate appearances): .500 BA/.500 OBP/.857 SLG, 1 double, 2 triples, 1 RBI

Dustin Pedroia (5): .500/.600/.500, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 walk

Jacoby Ellsbury (3): .333/.333/.333

Adrian Gonzalez (3): .500/.667/.500, 1 walk

Danny Valencia (3): .333/.333/.333, 1 RBI

Mike Aviles (2): .500/.500/.500, 1 RBI

Orioles vs. Buchholz (RHP)

Nick Markakis (34 plate appearances): .111 BA/.294 OBP/.111 SLG, 2 RBIs, 6 walks, 4 strikeouts

Adam Jones (24): .222/.261/.500, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 6 RBIs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout

Matt Weiters (24): .286/.375/.381, 2 double, 1 RBI, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts

Robert Andino (15): .143/.200/.357, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts

Chris Davis (12): .273/.333/.636, 1 double, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

Mark Reynolds (12): .125/.333/.250, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts

J.J. Hardy (10): .400/.400/1.000, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 2 strikeouts

Wilson Betemit (5): .400/.400/.400, 1 strikeout

Taylor Teagarden (5): .000/.000/.000, 1 RBI, 3 strikeouts