Ever since Shane Bieber got hurt after two brilliant starts in April, Tanner Bibee has been considered the de-facto ace by some.
Fast forward five months, and the right-handed is proving to be the best and safest option to start an important postseason game in 2024.
There are many talented hurlers on the Guards, but Bibee carries the most upside and the highest ceiling.
MLB.com’s Jackson Stone pointed out at one specific moment of Tuesday’s start, an outing in which he delivered six one-run innings with six strikeouts.
“Tanner Bibee proved once again why he’ll be Cleveland’s ace this postseason. A bases loaded jam threatened to squash his outing, but instead the righty used it to uplift the Guardians to a crucial AL Central victory,” he posted on X.
Tanner Bibee proved once again why he’ll be Cleveland’s ace this postseason.
A bases loaded jam threatened to squash his outing, but instead the righty used it to uplift the Guardians to a crucial AL Central victory.
“He’s going to war out there for us”https://t.co/GDZU2PaUSg
— Jackson Stone (@Jackson_Stoneee) September 4, 2024
That threat came in the bottom of the sixth, when he loaded the bases with no outs.
A lineout, a deep fly out and a strikeout of MJ Melendez ended the threat: improbably, Bibee made it out with just one run allowed.
His manager was impressed and said that Bibee proved something.
“Just that he can make pitches in big-time moments. Tanner’s a big-time pitcher, and he wants those moments. For him to be able to slow down and execute in that situation was huge,” Stone wrote, with Stephen Vogt’s remarks.
Bibee is, without a doubt, the closest thing the Guardians have to an ace.
He has been playing the part nicely, with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 149 innings this season, adding 162 punchouts to his stat line.
NEXT: Guardians Rookie Reveals How He Unlocked His Potential At The Plate
