Tanner Bibee’s latest start gave Guardians fans both a reminder of his upside and a fresh reason to worry about next week’s White Sox series.
On Tuesday night at Camden Yards, Bibee opened the game by dealing. He was perfect through three innings, needed just 29 pitches to get through that stretch and hadn’t allowed a baserunner. With the Guardians already sitting on a six-run lead, it looked like he was headed for a stress-free night and maybe his sixth win of the season.
Instead, things got shaky fast. Two innings later, Stephen Vogt was headed to the mound to pull Bibee after the Orioles had pushed five runs across, leaving the Guardians suddenly in a fight. Bibee has spent much of the year without much help from the lineup, but this time he nearly gave away a big cushion.
The Guardians survived anyway, winning 9-5 thanks to clutch work from the offense and bullpen. But the timing of Bibee’s uneven outing only sharpened the conversation around what comes next: a huge series against the AL Central-leading White Sox, where the Guardians are already staring at a rotation decision that has fans talking.
There’s a reason the chatter has picked up. The current alignment for that series has Bibee in Game 1 on Monday, Parker Messick in Game 2 and Foster Griffin in Game 3. Even with Friday’s off-day giving the club a chance to adjust things, the Guardians still need one of Bibee or Joey Cantillo in that matchup because Gavin Williams is scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Twins.
That’s where the frustration starts. Cantillo isn’t exactly forcing the issue right now.
He’s coming off a dud on Monday, owns a 6.59 ERA over his last three starts and leads MLB with 77 walks. Bibee hasn’t been sharp either - he hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in his last two outings and has allowed five runs in both - but he’s still viewed as the better option.
And there’s at least some history that points in Bibee’s favor. The Guardians were in this same kind of spot last year, and Bibee answered with a 1.30 ERA in September, highlighted by a shutout against the White Sox.
This White Sox team brings a different challenge. Chicago entered play today with a two-game lead over the Guardians in the American League Central and needs only one win in next week’s series to secure the head-to-head tiebreaker.
So Monday’s start could carry more weight than just one game. Bibee won’t define his season in a single outing, but a strong one against Chicago would go a long way toward changing the way this year looks.
In Other News...
Browns Star Denzel Ward Just Sent A Big Message About Guardians Future
Denzel Ward is adding a new Cleveland hat to his collection. The Browns cornerback has bought a minority ownership stake in the Guardians, putting him alongside fellow NFL player Travis Kelce in a group that continues to grow as the franchise works through an ownership transition. For Ward, a Cleveland native, the move ties one of the citys most recognizable athletes even more closely to the baseball team.
The timing makes it notable, too, with David Blitzer set to take over controlling interest after the 2027 season. Ward said he is proud to be part of the organization, and the Guardians plan to honor him at Progressive Field, a fitting nod for a player whose connection to the city has always felt bigger than football alone. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Outfield Crunch Is Putting Petey Halpin Under A Harsh Spotlight
Petey Halpin gave the Guardians a jolt on Aug. 21 with a 422-foot home run against the Rockies, a reminder of why Cleveland has kept giving the young outfielder looks. Since then, though, the offense has not followed, and his .150/.227/.150 line over 13 games has only intensified the scrutiny that comes with every start in a crowded outfield mix.
The challenge for Cleveland is that Halpin is not just being judged at the plate. The Guardians have been using him in center because Angel Martnezs defense there is limited, even as Martnez handles a corner spot and the rest of the depth chart stays complicated by injuries and fit concerns. With Steven Kwan, Jo Adell and Chase DeLauter also in the picture, Halpins role feels especially fragile, and every game in center is starting to carry a little more weight. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Add Another Cleveland Star At The Perfect Time
Denzel Ward is getting involved with another Cleveland institution at a moment when the Guardians are trying to keep their momentum rolling on and off the field. The Browns cornerback, an Ohio native and five-time Pro Bowl selection, has joined the club as a minority investor, adding another hometown name to an ownership group led by Paul Dolan and David Blitzer.
Ward now pairs with future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce in that group, giving the Guardians another high-profile local connection as they continue building around the citys identity. Ward said he is grateful for the chance to contribute to the community in this new role, a small but notable reminder of how tightly Clevelands sports scene continues to overlap. [Read more 🡒]