Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber entered Tuesday with a 3.44 ERA.
A 3.44 ERA, for most pitchers, represents an incredibly good performance level.
For Bieber, however, it’s considered a tad high.
This is a pitcher who won the Cy Young award with a 1.63 ERA two years ago: granted, it was the small-sample 2020 season, but still.
That 3.44 ERA would be his highest since his rookie year in 2018, when he finished at 4.55.
However, Bieber was magnificent this afternoon against the Chicago White Sox.
He allowed only one earned run in nine innings: in other words, he threw a complete game against the pale hose.
Shane Bieber CG: only 3 hits allowed and all singles!
95 pitches, 7 strikeouts with only 11 swinging strikes! pic.twitter.com/qLsCDMtzoq— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 12, 2022
That outing took 0.20 points of his ERA, and left it at 3.24 in 105.2 innings.
The game represents a high point in Bieber’s season: things haven’t gone badly for him by any means, but a few people felt he wasn’t the same dominant pitcher he has been in the past.
Well, so much for that: he still carries that potential.
95 pitches, complete game win over the White Sox, the reports of Shane Bieber's demise have been greatly exaggerated.
— Quincy Wheeler (@QuincyWheeler1) July 12, 2022
An Incredible Performance To Put His Team Back Over .500
His incredible start not only provided a valuable win for Cleveland, but also gave some much-needed rest to the bullpen.
"That was really welcome."
Terry Francona breaks down Shane Bieber's dominant outing and how the @CleGuardians' bullpen will benefit from his complete-game effort.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/yliq5OW49r
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 12, 2022
With the one-run game, Bieber became the first Guardians starter to throw a complete game since August 19, 2020.
He put an end to that drought, and against a direct opponent in a hypothetical playoff race.
The Guardians overcame a recent rough stretch and have now won two games in a row to get over .500 again: they are 43-42, 3.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central lead.
The two teams, plus the White Sox, will likely be fighting all season for that division crown.
Before today Shane Bieber had gone more than 7 IP once this season (8 on May 28th) and had a peak Game Score of 72 (7IP, 2ER, 11K) his next game.
The White Sox roll into town and he throws a complete game with a GScr of 84.
Way to compete, fellas.
— Trooper Galactus (@TrooperGalactus) July 12, 2022
For now, Cleveland is enjoying their ace’s brilliant performance.
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