Guardians Announce Pitching Matchups Against Tigers: Key Takeaways
The Cleveland Guardians are set to face the Detroit Tigers in a crucial series at Comerica Park. In a bid to secure a playoff spot, either as AL Central champions or a wild card, the Guardians have announced Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee as their starting pitchers for Wednesday and Thursday's games, respectively.
Guardians' Pitching Strategy
With the Tigers leading the AL Central, the Guardians are pulling out all the stops. Manager Stephen Vogt confirmed the decision to start Williams (10-5, 3.16 ERA) on Wednesday and Bibee (10-11, 4.44 ERA) on Thursday, recognizing the importance of these games in determining their postseason fate. Joey Cantillo started the series on Tuesday.
Tigers' Strong Rotation
The Tigers are countering with their own top starters, including Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty, and potentially Tarik Skubal. The anticipated matchup between Bibee and Skubal on Thursday could be pivotal, showcasing two of the league's most promising young pitchers.
Managerial Insights
Vogt explained the decision-making process, stating, "We bumped Gavin and Tanner up to pitch in this series." He also mentioned plans to reinsert Logan Allen into the rotation during the upcoming series against the Minnesota Twins. A.J. Hinch, the Tigers' manager, expressed optimism regarding Skubal's availability after a recent injury scare.
Pitcher Performance
Williams has been strong in his last seven starts, going 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA. Bibee, despite an up-and-down season, is showing signs of improvement, allowing only two earned runs in his last 15 and 2/3 innings. The Guardians are hoping these performances will translate into crucial wins against the division-leading Tigers.
Tarik Skubal Update
Tarik Skubal, a potential Cy Young contender, is slated to start against the Guardians on Thursday. After experiencing discomfort in his left side, tests came back negative, clearing the way for his anticipated outing. Skubal has previously dominated the Guardians, holding them scoreless in 16 innings this season.
How to Watch: Guardians vs. Tigers
The Cleveland Guardians face the Detroit Tigers at 1:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 18. Viewers can stream the game on Fubo and watch on FDSDET and CLEG. Tickets are available on StubHub.
Injury Report
| Team | Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | Matt Vierling | Oblique | 10 Day IL |
| Tigers | Sawyer Gipson-Long | Neck | 15 Day IL |
| Tigers | Kyle Finnegan | Abductor | 15 Day IL |
| Guardians | Lane Thomas | Foot | 10 Day IL |
| Guardians | Nic Enright | Elbow | 15 Day IL |
Key Player Stats
- Gleyber Torres (Tigers): .254/.361/.394, 16 HR, 73 RBIs.
- Riley Greene (Tigers): .265/.319/.504, 34 HR, 108 RBIs.
- Jose Ramirez (Guardians): .282/.355/.500, 28 HR, 78 RBIs, 39 steals.
- Steven Kwan (Guardians): .274/.334/.377, 10 HR, 49 RBIs, 19 steals.
