Guardians' Gavin Williams: Tough-luck loss in Game 1
Rotowire
Williams permitted just two unearned runs on five hits and one walk over six-plus innings but was saddled with a loss in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to the Tigers. He struck out eight batters.
The Tigers plated their first run in the top of the first inning thanks to a pair of two-out singles and an error, and they added another in the top of the seventh on a squeeze bunt after Williams was pulled from the game. That turned out to be enough, as Tarik Skubal and the Tigers' bullpen kept the Guardians in check. Williams accrued up 19 whiffs on his 88 pitches, picking up where he left off after closing out the regular season on a high note. He would likely pitch Game 2 of the ALDS versus the Mariners on Sunday, should the Guardians advance.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans nine in 11th win
Rotowire
Williams (11-5) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing three hits and two walks over five scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Tigers. He struck out nine.
The right-hander watched Detroit hitters foul off a whopping 28 pitches to force his early exit, but Williams was otherwise dominant to kick off the combined shutout, racking up 30 called or swinging strikes among his 100 pitches. He's given up three runs or fewer in six straight trips to the mound as the Guardians make a late push for a wild-card spot, posting a 1.87 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB through 33.2 innings over that stretch and going 4-1. Williams lines up to make his next start at home early next week in a rematch with the Tigers.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Six Ks in six strong innings
Rotowire
Williams didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out six.
The right-hander delivered his third consecutive quality start, and he's now tossed at least six frames while yielding two runs or fewer in seven of his 10 appearances since the All-Star break. However, homers and walks do remain an issue for Williams, who got taken deep in his fourth straight start, and he issued at least three free passes for the third time during that span. Williams will take a 3.16 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 152:79 K:BB across 156.2 innings into his next start, which is set to be a tough matchup against the AL Central-leading Tigers.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Sharp again, picks up 10th win
Rotowire
Williams (10-5) earned the win over the Rays on Friday, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over seven innings.
Williams worked around traffic most of the night, allowing at least one baserunner in each frame until he finished with a clean seventh. The right-hander's lone blemish was a solo homer by Junior Caminero in the sixth, marking the sixth time in his last nine starts that he's limited opponents to one run or fewer. The 26-year-old will take a 3.17 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 146:76 K:BB through 150.2 innings into his next scheduled outing, a favorable matchup against Kansas City.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Bounces back for eighth win
Rotowire
Williams (8-4) allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.
Williams was back on track Monday after giving up four runs over three innings in his previous start. He's allowed just five runs in 23 innings across four starts in August, adding a 23:8 K:BB in that span. The right-hander has had some trouble with walks throughout the season, and getting that issue under control has likely helped his performance this month. Overall, he has a 3.24 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 132:68 K:BB through 133.1 innings over 25 starts. Williams is projected for a road start versus the Rangers this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Jumped early in no-decision
Rotowire
Williams did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 13-4 loss to the Marlins, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts over three innings.
Williams allowed four runs on two homers in the first inning and exited after 75 pitches, with just three frames marking his shortest outing since April 28. The rough start snaps a streak of four consecutive quality starts for the 26-year-old, and the early hook was understandable after he threw a career-high 126 pitches in a no-hit bid last week. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 127:67 K:BB across 128 innings and will look to rebound in a road matchup with the Diamondbacks early next week.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Loses no-no bid in ninth
Rotowire
Williams (7-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Mets, allowing one run on one hit and four walks over 8.2 innings. He struck out six.
In the longest start of his career, both in terms of innings and pitches (126), Williams came two outs short of the first no-hitter in Cleveland history since Len Barker's perfect game in 1981. Juan Soto spoiled the bid with a ninth-inning solo shot to center field, however. Williams had to settle for his seventh win and 10th quality start of the season, with five of those quality starts coming in his last six trips to the mound -- a stretch in which he's posted a 1.63 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 41:17 K:BB over 38.2 innings. Williams' next outing lines up to come at home next week against the Marlins.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Turns in quality start
Rotowire
Williams allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Royals.
Williams has posted three quality starts over his last four outings, though he has just one win for his efforts and has a 27:11 K:BB across 24 innings during that stretch. Williams continues to battle a high walk rate (4.9 BB/9), but he's been fairly successful with a 3.51 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 109 strikeouts over 110.1 innings through 21 starts. The 26-year-old's next start is projected to be at home versus the Twins next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Dominates with season-high 11 Ks
Rotowire
Williams (6-4) earned the win Sunday against the Athletics, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out 11 over seven innings.
Williams was in complete control from the jump, racking up seven strikeouts over the first three innings alone and finishing the day with season highs in both punchouts and innings pitched. The 24-year-old right-hander bounced back in impressive fashion, particularly with his command, after issuing 12 walks over his previous three starts entering Sunday. He'll carry a 3.54 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 106:58 K:BB into his next outing, scheduled for Friday against the Royals, and he'll look to build on this momentum as the second half of the season unfolds.
Williams came away with a no-decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks over five-plus innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander's control and command continue to be an issue. Williams tossed 59 of 102 pitches for strikes before getting the hook after allowing a leadoff single to Luis Robert in the sixth, but Lenyn Sosa was his biggest nemesis as the Chicago second baseman launched solo shots in the first and fifth innings. The five free passes weren't even a season high for Williams -- he issued six walks May 26 against the Dodgers -- and he's walked multiple batters in 10 straight trips to the mound, a stretch from which he's somehow emerged with a respectable 3.25 ERA and 1.27 WHIP despite a 44:33 K:BB over 55.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Falters late in no-decision
Rotowire
Williams did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win against the Blue Jays, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Williams allowed just one run over his first five innings but was unable to escape the sixth, ultimately being charged with three runs (two earned) in the frame. While the 25-year-old's 20:13 K:BB over five June outings is underwhelming, he has a 2.57 ERA across 28 innings while notching three quality starts during that stretch. He'll carry a 3.68 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 80:45 K:BB across 80.2 innings into a road matchup with the Cubs.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans six in six shutout innings
Rotowire
Williams didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Giants, giving up two hits and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out six.
Williams turned in his third scoreless start of the season, scattering two singles Thursday. The 25-year-old right-hander appears to be settling in a bit following a shaky start to the year -- which saw him log a 5.06 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through his first seven outings -- as he's produced a 2.49 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41:23 K:BB covering his last eight appearances (43.1 innings). Up next for Williams is a scheduled matchup versus the hot-hitting Blue Jays, who are slugging .449 against right-handed pitching over their last 38 games.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Inefficient in no-decision
Rotowire
Williams allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one over four innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Mariners.
Williams threw just 55 of 89 pitches for strikes, and he wasn't able to dial up enough strikeouts to make things go smoother. The result was an inefficient outing, the second time in four starts he's failed to complete five frames. Williams has maintained a 3.89 ERA this season, but his 1.47 WHIP and 72:39 K:BB over 69.1 innings are a little less encouraging. The right-hander is projected to make his next start on the road in San Francisco.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Turns in quality start
Rotowire
Williams took a no-decision after he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings during Saturday's 5-3, extra-inning loss to the Astros
Williams continues to do a good job at limiting hits in his starts, surrendering five or fewer in six straight. Walks have been the thing to hurt the 25-year-old this season as he walked multiple batters Saturday for the 11th time in 13 starts. The strikeout numbers look good with a 9.8 K/9, but the right-hander will likely need to cut down on the free passes in order to maintain his current ERA of 3.86.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Struggles with control in loss
Rotowire
Williams (4-3) took the loss against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing four runs on four hits and six walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings.
Williams' outing began ominously when Shohei Ohtani laced his first pitch to right field for a home run. That ended up being the only extra-base hit Williams allowed, but his struggles for the remainder of his time in the game were mostly centered on his control -- he issued a season-high six free passes and needed 109 pitches to get through 4.2 frames, with just 66 of his offerings being strikes. The control issues are nothing new for Williams, as he now leads the majors with 32 free passes allowed on the season. He's offered glimpses of excellence, especially with his 60 punchouts through 52.2 frames, and he racked up an impressive 15 whiffs Monday. However, Williams' WHIP stands at an inflated 1.58 due largely to the control issues, and his 4.27 ERA is well below league-average.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Nice showing in no-decision
Rotowire
Williams did not factor into the decision Wednesday, giving up two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings in a 9-5 loss to the Brewers. He struck out six.
The right-hander allowed a run on two hits and a walk during the second inning and a solo homer in the fifth, but he was otherwise able to keep Milwaukee in check. Williams has surrendered just two runs with a 14:5 K:BB in his past two starts, but he covered five frames in both outings and hasn't pitched into the sixth inning since April 21. He has a 4.29 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through nine starts this year and lines up to face the Twins on the road early next week.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Grabs first win
Rotowire
Williams (1-0 ) earned the win Thursday over the White Sox, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
Williams allowed a run in the first inning before settling down to blank the White Sox over his final four frames, retiring 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. Williams lowered his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.38 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through his first three starts (13 innings) this year. He'll look to build on Thursday's outing in his next start, tentatively lined up for next week in Baltimore.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Labors through three frames
Rotowire
Williams didn't factor in the decision Friday against the Angels after giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander wasn't helped out by his defense as a two-out error during the third inning led to a pair of runs, but Williams created plenty of trouble of his own prior to that miscue. The 25-year-old needed 75 pitches to record just nine outs, which prevented him from having a chance at qualifying for the victory. Williams has yet to reach the 80-pitch mark in either of his two starts this season, but he lines up for a favorable matchup with the White Sox in his next turn through the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Named ALCS Game 4 starter
Rotowire
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Thursday that Williams will start Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Williams hasn't pitched since Sept. 22, as the Guardians haven't needed a fourth starter yet this postseason. He will be opposed by Luis Gil. Williams was limited to 16 starts during the regular season due to elbow issues and finished with a 4.86 ERA and 79:32 K:BB over 76 innings.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans seven in loss
Rotowire
Williams (3-10) took the loss Tuesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
The Cleveland right-hander's losing streak now stands at three, although, he performed much better in this 89-pitch outing. Williams entered having allowed eight runs across his last six innings and managed to generate a solid 16 whiffs en route to his seven punchouts. The 25-year-old just couldn't handle Matt Wallner, as the Minnesota slugger drove in both runs allowed via a pair of RBI singles. Williams has now pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 76:30 K:BB across 70.1 innings this season. He lines up to make his next start against the Cardinals in St. Louis this weekend.
