Gavin Williams, Not Tanner Bibee, Is the Real Cleveland Guardians Ace

Gavin Williams has outperformed Tanner Bibee over the past two seasons, establishing himself as the true ace of the Guardians' pitching staff.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the raw power and precision of Gavin Williams' pitching.Gavin Williams' dominant pitching has made him the clear ace of the Cleveland Guardians' rotation, displacing teammate Tanner Bibee.Cleveland Today

Gavin Williams, not Tanner Bibee, has emerged as the Cleveland Guardians' ace pitcher. While Bibee had a strong rookie season in 2023, his performance has regressed in the past two years, while Williams has continued to improve and post better numbers across the board. Williams' superior pitching metrics, including run value and strikeout rate, make him the clear choice as the team's top starter.

Why it matters

The Guardians' starting rotation is a key part of their success, and having a clear ace who can consistently deliver quality outings is crucial. This decision will impact the team's pitching strategy, rotation order, and postseason plans.

The details

In 2025, Williams posted a 3.8 WAR with a 3.06 ERA, 173 strikeouts, and an ERA+ of 137, while Bibee's numbers declined, with a 1.2 WAR, 4.00 ERA, and 99 ERA+. This year, Williams has a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 12 innings, while Bibee has a 4.00 ERA in two starts. Williams also ranks higher in key pitching metrics like run value and whiff rate.

  • In 2023, Bibee finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
  • In 2024, Bibee's WAR dropped from 3.9 to 2.6, and his ERA+ fell from 143 to 116.
  • In 2025, Bibee's WAR fell to 1.2, his ERA+ dropped to 99, and he gave up a career-high 27 home runs.
  • In 2026, through two starts, Bibee is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA.
  • In 2026, Williams is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 12 innings.

The players

Gavin Williams

A starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians who has emerged as the team's ace, posting strong numbers over the past two seasons and outperforming teammate Tanner Bibee.

Tanner Bibee

A starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians who had a promising rookie season in 2023 but has seen his performance decline in the past two years, making him second fiddle to Gavin Williams in the team's rotation.

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What’s next

The Guardians will need to decide how to structure their starting rotation, with Gavin Williams emerging as the clear ace and Tanner Bibee potentially relegated to the number two or three spot.

The takeaway

Gavin Williams has proven himself to be the Cleveland Guardians' true ace, outperforming teammate Tanner Bibee over the past two seasons. With his superior pitching metrics and recent performances, Williams has solidified his status as the team's top starter, a crucial development for the Guardians' success.