Gavin Williams

Gavin Williams re-established himself as a high-upside rotation anchor in 2025, posting a 3.06 ERA and 3.8 WAR across 167.2 innings after a rocky, injury-affected 2024 campaign. His strikeout rate ticked up to 24.6%, and he held opponents to a .211 average with a well-above-average 137 ERA+, but persistent control issues (11.8% BB rate, 4.5 BB/9) continue to inflate his WHIP (1.270) and FIP (4.39). The improved ground-ball rate (45.6%) and suppressed .254 BABIP helped drive the ERA rebound, though the elevated hard-hit rate (44.4%) suggests some volatility remains. If his 2026 projections forecast even modest gains in command, Williams profiles as a fantasy riser with SP2 upside; however, without tangible walk-rate improvement, he remains a ratio-risk arm despite the strikeout ceiling.

Gavin Williams start Game 1 of Wild Card series for Guardians

The Guardians have named Gavin Williams as the starter for Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Tigers.

Fantasy Impact

It will be Williams taking on Tarik Skubal. He posted a stifling 1.88 ERA across four starts in September to end the regular season. It will be his third straight start against the Tigers with his last two starts of the regular season being against them. Williams combined to allow two runs over 11 innings with 21 strikeouts in those two starts.