Tanner Bibee posts quality start in loss

Bibee got rare run support tonight, with the Guardians taking a 6-0 lead in the third, but he had to be pulled in the fifth after two doubles, a single that first baseman Nathaniel Lowe really should have made a play on and then a Pete Alonso homer. It’s the second straight start in which Bibee, whose velocity is down a bit, has allowed five runs, taking his ERA from 3.88 to 4.22. The Guardians did go on to win 9-5, though. It’s just the second time all year that they’ve scored more than six runs in a game started by Bibee. He’ll likely make his next start Monday against the White Sox.

Bibee managed a 28 percent Whiff rate and only allowed one hard-hit ball, but he allowed two walks, a bunt single and a 2-RBI double in consecutive order to lead off the fifth inning. Colin Holderman allowed the two inherited runners to score to stick Bibee with this final line. Bibee remains a coinflip to deliver fantasy value. He’ll try for better results against the Orioles next week.

Bibee found himself locked in a pitcher’s duel with Michael Wacha on Friday night. Both pitchers made it through four innings unscathed, but a leadoff double by Bobby Witt Jr. in the fifth inning wound up resulting in the first run of the night after Salvador Perez grounded out to bring Witt home from third two batters later. It was the only run Bibee would allow on the night before he was pulled in the seventh inning for Tim Herrin. Bibee has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last three starts, but has only one win to show for his efforts. He’ll look to pick up his sixth win of the season in his next start, which is set for Thursday at home against the Blue Jays.

Bibee gave up runs in the third and fourth inning, the latter on a solo homer by Mickey Moniak. Outside of that it was a very strong outing for the right-hander that saw him generate 14 swing and misses, strike out six and give up just five hits while lowering his ERA on the 2026 campaign to 3.97. Bibee has not developed into an ace as many hoped he would, but he gets the job done more often than not. A chance to get it done again is scheduled for Friday against the Royals at home.

Cleveland was shutout in a Bibee start for the fourth time this year. Both he and Joey Cantillo have made 26 starts for the Guardians this season. Bibee has allowed 71 runs in 150 1/3 innings (4.25 RA/9). Cantillo has allowed 62 runs in 125 2/3 innings (4.44 RA/9). Bibee, though, is 4-13, whereas Cantillo has gone 9-7. Bibee will next face the Rockies in Coors, which might lead to some run support.

Bibee gave up a run in the second and three in the fifth. In spite of that, he pitched into the seventh, unfortunately. He walked back-to-back batters with one out in that frame — his only two walks of the game — and both came around to score after he departed. Tonight sums up Bibee’s season pretty well. He was perfect in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings, but he dropped to 4-12 after every single batter to reach against him either scored or knocked in a run. He’ll face the Padres next.

Bibee did everything right here, besides keeping the ball in the yard. It was the first time he’d reached 10 strikeouts in a single start since September of last season and his changeup was lethal, forcing seven swings-and-misses. On the flip side, the Mets smashed three home runs off him and all came from left-handed batters. All in all, it was still a solid start and Bibee left it with a 3.85 ERA, 110 strikeouts, and 38 walks across 138 innings. He’s lined up for a two-start week against the Tigers and Padres next week.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt confirmed that Slade Cecconi will move to the bullpen with Tanner Bibee starting in his place on Wednesday. Griffin came over from the Nationals in a five-player swap at the trade deadline earlier this week. The 31-year-old southpaw has posted a strong 3.06 ERA and 116/30 K/BB ratio across 129 innings in his return to the majors after three seasons pitching overseas in Japan.

Bibee did what he could to hold the Diamondbacks in check all night. He scattered three hits and one walk over 7 1/3 innings, but did hit back-to-back batters in the fourth inning. Those two hit batsmen proved irrelevant, as he was able to force Max Kepler to line out to end the inning, but he ran into some trouble in the eighth. Bibee was pulled after allowing two of the first three batters he faced to reach base, and the Guardians’ bullpen wasted little time in making him pay. Reliever Erik Sabrowski immediately walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, and went on to allow back-to-back singles to Geraldo Perdomo and Gabriel Moreno to give the Diamondbacks a 3-1 lead. It was a tough way for Bibee to pick up his 11th loss of the season. He ends the month of July with a 2-2 record and a 4.76 ERA. His next start is scheduled for Thursday at home against the Mets.

The Guardians have been averaging just three runs per game in Bibee’s starts this year, but they supported him with a season-high 10 runs while he was in the game tonight and 13 overall. After opening up 0-7 with a 4.57 ERA through the end of May. Bibee has gone 4-2 with a 2.88 ERA since the beginning of June. However, his peripherals, which suggest that he deserves that April/May ERA, have held very steady throughout. He’ll face the Rays on Saturday.