Tanner Bibee to start ALDS Game 1 for Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians may know who their opponent is in their upcoming playoff matchup, pending the result of Wednesday's game between the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros, but they do know who will be taking the mound for them for the first game of the American League Division Series on Saturday. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt announced on Wednesday that Tanner Bibee will start for ALDS Game 1 for Cleveland.

Tabbing Bibee as Cleveland's starter for Game 1 was an obvious decision for Vogt. Bibee has been the team's ace this year, taking the title vacated by Shane Bieber following his season-ending injury two weeks into the season. In most situations, a player stepping into the shoes of a team's ace is in name only, but Bibee has proven to be capable of living up to that title on the mound.

In 31 games this season, Bibee has compiled a 3.47 ERA, 1.117 WHIP, and 9.7 strikeouts per nine. Not bad for a 25-year-old in only his second major league season. This stat line only becomes more impressive when putting it in perspective of the circumstances the rest of Cleveland's rotation found itself in. No Bieber, a delayed start for Gavin Williams, the unforeseen addition of Carlos Carrasco, down years from both Triston Mckenzie and Logan Allen, the then unknown commodity that is Ben Lively, Bibee had a lot on his shoulders and was able to carry this rotation all season long.

It is absolutely crucial to get off on the right foot in the ALDS, considering it is just a five-game series. Losing the first game and home-field advantage against whoever their opponent will be is far from ideal. Having Bibee take the ball for Game 1 should give the Guardians their best chance of winning on Saturday and hopefully being the first of many wins this October.