The Detroit Tigers have been surging of late, having won seven of their last nine during a West Coast road swing while scoring an impressive 66 runs across that stretch. Their recent success has them sitting in second place in the American League Central heading into a pair of key series in the divisional race.
The first of the two crucial matchups the Motor City Kitties face comes against the Cleveland Guardians at home this week, starting on Tuesday. Right-hander Drew Anderson will make his fourth start of the season in the first game, coming off a strong — albeit abbreviated — performance in his last outing against the Seattle Mariners, tossing 3 2/3 shutout innings on three hits and a walk while failing to strike out a batter.
One of the 32-year-old’s previous starts also came against Cleveland back on May 20, when he threw 4 2/3 scoreless frames at Comerica Park, surrendering a pair of walks and hits while striking out a whopping seven batters. Anderson did not figure in the final decision, as Detroit fell in extra innings, 3-2.
For the Guardians, fellow righty Tanner Bibee will climb the mound for the series opener in search of his 15th quality start this summer. The 27-year-old has seen the Tigers twice already this season, both resulting in a QS and a victory for his team.
In Bibee’s first appearance against the Olde English D in Detroit, he faced off against Anderson and tossed eight innings of one-run ball on four hits and a walk while striking out five for a no-decision. His second start against the Tigers saw him throw seven frames of two-run ball on a pair of hits — both solo homers — and walks while striking out eight en route to his second victory of the 2026 campaign in another 3-2 final.
Take a look at how Anderson and Bibee match up on paper in preparation for their second head-to-head meeting this season.
Detroit Tigers (58-60) vs. Cleveland Guardians (58-61)
Time (ET): 6:40 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 119: RHP Drew Anderson (4-4, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Tanner Bibee (4-11, 3.85 ERA)
|
Player |
G |
IP |
K% |
BB% |
GB% |
FIP |
fWAR |
|
Anderson |
41 |
67.1 |
27.0 |
8.7 |
48.0 |
3.80 |
0.6 |
|
Bibee |
24 |
138.0 |
19.7 |
6.8 |
38.0 |
4.57 |
1.0 |
ANDERSON
BIBEE
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