Tanner Bibee Hit Unfortunate Career Mark In Loss To Braves

The Cleveland Guardians weren’t going to go the entire season without losing a series. But the way they finally lost one to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night was particularly discouraging.

After Cleveland recorded its first shutout of the season in the prior game to continue a strong season-opening run of starting pitching, Tanner Bibee gave the Guardians virtually no chance in the series finale at Truist Park. He allowed eight runs on 11 hits in just 4.2 innings on the way to a 13-1 defeat.

They were brutal career marks for Bibee, who had pitched better in his prior two appearances.

“Tanner Bibee allowed a career high eight earned runs and matched his career mark with 11 hits allowed. Bibee (0-2, 6.38) has yet to pitch into the sixth inning this season despite posting a 2.08 ERA in his previous two outings. Sunday’s start snapped a streak of seven outings with three runs allowed or fewer,” Joe Noga wrote.

Bibee allowed seven earned runs last April 5 against the Los Angeles Angels. He gave up 11 hits last June 20 against the Athletics.

The right-hander has had an up-and-down start to his 2026 season, and there could be more to this than meets the eye. During his Opening Day assignment against the Seattle Mariners, he had to leave before the sixth inning after he experienced some shoulder discomfort.

Though he was able to make his next start, and every one of his starts since then, it is a situation worth monitoring. Bibee has arguably been Cleveland’s least effective starter, as the rotation has gotten off to an excellent beginning and has been propping up the team while the offense struggles to find its footing.

Led by Gavin Williams and Parker Messick, the Guardians’ starters, which include Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi, have combined for a 3.43 ERA in 84.0 innings over 16 games. The ERA ranks seventh in MLB, and the innings rank 10th among starters, as does their 65 hits allowed.

Bibee now has an ERA over 6.00 with 24 hits and six walks allowed in 18.1 innings. He has not gotten out of the fifth inning in any of his past three starts.

Hopefully, he can put this latest poor outing behind him quickly and start making progress again when he faces the Baltimore Orioles at home on Friday in his next scheduled turn.