The Cleveland Guardians opened up their series with the Chicago White Sox on Friday with a 4-0 victory thanks to a complete game, two-hit shutout with ten strikeouts from Tanner Bibee.
It was an outstanding performance by Cleveland’s de facto ace, but one insider believes another starter has been emerging as a legitimate ace who can anchor this staff for years to come.
Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com recently wrote an article shedding light on how great Gavin Williams has been this year, crediting him for adding more depth to his arsenal and solidifying himself as a potential ace.
“This is a guy that has learned to pitch not only with his fastball, but with his other breaking pitches. It’s amazing when you think about all the adjustments he’s made this year… this guy has made adjustments to his delivery. He’s added two or three different pitches and all of a sudden he’s just kind of locked in right now,” Hoynes said. “No matter what happens… over the last 16 games he has really kind of put himself on the map as an emerging ace.”
Williams gave up five earned runs in a start against the Baltimore Orioles on April 16th and hasn’t given up more than four in any other start all season.
His consistency has been remarkable, and Cleveland wouldn’t be in a position to be fighting for a playoff spot deep into September without him.
He has been Cleveland’s best starter and has held things together while Shane Bieber was out all year recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Luis Ortiz has been out as the league investigates his potential gambling violations.
Williams has a 2.33 ERA since the All-Star Break and is projected to go up against Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers in his next start on Thursday.
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