The Cleveland Guardians share who will start Game 1, Game 2, and Game 3 (if necessary) of their Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers.

The Cleveland Guardians are playoff-bound for the seventh time in the last 10 seasons, an incredible accomplishment for one of the most consistent franchises in baseball. 

One of the biggest questions heading into their Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers is what would Cleveland’s rotation look like for the first two, and possibly three games of the playoffs.

On Monday afternoon, Stephen Vogt shared what his plan would be in terms of who 

Game 1: Gavin Williams

Gavin Williams will take the mound for the Guardians in Game 1. Cleveland’s two top options were either him or Tanner Bibee, but the decision to start Williams certainly makes the most sense.

The right-hander has truly developed into a star and ace of Cleveland’s rotation this year. The 26-year-old finished the season with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.27, but it was the back half of the 2025 season where he really started to shine.

Following the All-Star Break, Williams made 12 starts and recorded a 2.18 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.

The Big Rig made three starts against the Tigers earlier this season, with two of those coming in the past two weeks. Detroit has largely struggled against Williams, with the Cleveland pitcher giving up only two earned runs in 17.0 innings pitched.

That said, it will be interesting to see whether this familiarity works against Williams and the Guardians on Tuesday afternoon. 

Game 2: Tanner Bibee

With Williams taking the mound in Game 1, Tanner Bibee is in line to pitch Game 2 for Cleveland.

Bibee has endured a frustrating year; he’s even admitted it himself. The right-hander has had no issues getting ahead of players, but putting them away has been a different story.

Thankfully, the 26-year-old is finding his stride at the perfect time. Bibee recorded a 1.30 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP in his four starts in September, two of which came against the Tigers. 

Game 3: Slade Cecconi

The toughest decision for manager Stephen Vogt was naming a starting pitcher for Game 3. Cleveland has found considerable success with its six-man rotation, but obviously, that’s not a strategy that will work in the postseason.

While Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen, and Parker Messick would have been solid options, the Guardians will hand the ball to Slade Cecconi if a Game 3 is necessary.

Cecconi had a widely successful first season with the Guardians. He had some hiccups in August and the beginning of September, but the right-hander has still been Cleveland’s third-best pitcher throughout the season.

Cecconi also pitched against the Tigers once this season, on May 23, when he threw 6.0 innings of one-run baseball, including six strikeouts.

Unlike Williams and Bibee, Detroit isn’t as familiar with Cecconi, which could be one reason why Vogt decided to start a possible Game 3.