The Cleveland Guardians need everybody on the same page to close out the season.
More than that, they need to be locked in and at their best.
That hasn’t been the case with Tanner Bibee lately.
He was projected to be the team’s ace this season without Shane Bieber, and he hasn’t always lived up to those expectations.
Moreover, frustration is clearly mounting, and he looked emotional and angry in a recent start.
That’s why analyst Bruce Drennan went out of his way to give Bibee some words of encouragement.
“I think he’s frustrated over the year, the way it’s gone, his own performance, especially after a very successful year last year when he first emerged. I like seeing that emotion. Maybe it was ill-timed coming out of the game in the fashion that he did because he didn’t have a good outing, but he’s a competitor, and that’s what we want. I like him for the future,” Drennan said.
Tanner Bibee is a competitor that will be in Cleveland for a long time. #GuardsBall
"Especially after a very successful year last year."
-Bruce
Presented by @drinkgaragebeer https://t.co/UsJc4UIIVX pic.twitter.com/wpfNqiEh5M
— Bruce Drennan Show (@Bruce_Drennan) September 2, 2025
Bibee vowed to bounce back in the second half of the season, but perhaps the team’s lack of consistency and high stakes are taking a toll on him.
The Guardians will take some pressure off his shoulders by using a six-man rotation in this upcoming stretch of 17 games in 17 days.
Bibee is approaching his career high in innings pitched, and fatigue might be limiting his ability to be at his best.
Whatever the case, he’s still good enough to lead this pitching staff, and the Guardians need him to return to his usual form to close out the season.
It’s been frustrating, but he still has a chance to finish on a high note.
NEXT: Analyst Says Guardians' Playoff Hopes Hinge On Key Factor
