The Cleveland Guardians need someone to step up.
They will take on the Detroit Tigers in an AL Wild Card series between divisional rivals who know one another well.
Even though Cleveland has found recent success against Detroit, things won’t be easy in Game 1.
The Tigers will have ace Tarik Skubal on the mound, and he’s one of the most dominant pitchers in the game when he’s at his best.
Nevertheless, analyst Rafael Hernandez-Brito believes the Guardians can hold their own against him, mostly because they’ll also have an ace on the mound.
Talking on the “Carlos Baerga Show,” Hernandez-Brito gushed about Gavin Williams’ development and recent performances.
“He’s been great considering everything that has gone on with the pitching staff. We already know we weren’t counting on [Shane] Bieber, he’s not even with the team anymore. Somebody needed to step up and be the ace, and Gavin Williams has done so,” Hernandez-Brito said.
"Somebody needed to step up and be the ace and Gavin Williams has done so." #GuardsBall@ElAlcaldeRafa says we've got the right guy on the mound for Game 1.
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— Carlos Baerga Show (@BaergaShow) September 29, 2025
With the Guardians missing Shane Bieber for most of the season while he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, and then trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays, they needed someone to take over as their ace.
Most people expected Tanner Bibee to be that guy, and he certainly has the talent and repertoire to do so, but that didn’t turn out to be the case.
In the meantime, Williams emerged as the most reliable pitcher on the team, especially down the stretch.
The Guardians will be in for a tough time in the series opener, even though they’re at home.
Yet, with Williams on the mound and the Tigers struggling, they should love their chances, regardless of what Skubal is capable of.
NEXT: Guardians All-Star Called To Step Up After Recent Struggles
