Williams allowed one run on five hits and struck out three over five innings in Sunday's spring start against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Williams made his final Cactus League tune-up and appears ready for the regular season. He'll follow Opening Day starter Tanner Bibee and pitch Friday against the Mariners. The right-hander had one hiccup this spring but finished on a high note. Williams, who has averaged 4.2 BB/9 over three major-league seasons, walked just two batters over 17.2 innings this spring.

Williams allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven over 4.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Williams' fourth Cactus League start was a departure from his first three, but the seven strikeouts and 85 pitches thrown are positive takeaways. He settled down after a rocky two innings, retiring seven of eight batters before tiring in his final frame. While nothing has been made official, Williams' five-day schedule lines him up to start Opening Day on the road in Seattle.

Williams allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five over 3.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Williams had early trouble in the first inning but settled down after that in his third Cactus League start. He increased his pitch count to 56 (41 strikes) and didn't issue a free pass for the second straight outing. Walks were an issue for the right-hander in 2025 (4.5 BB/9), but thus far, Williams has issued just one walk through eight spring innings.

Williams allowed one run on two hits and struck out three over three innings in Sunday's spring start against Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was taken deep by Brett Sullivan to lead off the game but then calmed down. He worked around a fielding error later in the first inning and then a single in the following inning before a clean third frame. Williams upped his pitch count to 44 (28 strikes) in his second Cactus League outing.

Williams allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Tuesday's start against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

A first-inning walk and a fielding error by third baseman Juan Brito drove up Williams' pitch count and forced an early exit with one out. The right-hander then returned for the second inning and set down the side in order. He threw 33 pitches (17 strikes). Reducing walks and better location are his focus heading into 2026. In some order, Williams and Tanner Bibee will be atop the Guardians' rotation this season.

Williams credits a midseason mechanical adjustment to explain his improvement in the second half of 2025, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams made a subtle adjustment during on off day in June, raising the position of his hands from resting at the belt to the chest. The goal was to create a longer arm path to better locate his pitches, and he described it as "night and day" from that point on. Following a period of adjustment, Williams was one of the better pitchers in the game after the All-Star break. He went 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA while pitching at least six innings in eight of 12 starts following the break. Additionally, the walks (5.3 BB/9) that were a pesky issue and raised his pitch counts over the first half of the season dropped to 3.3 per nine innings in the second half. The right-hander, who made 31 starts in 2025, is now an anchor in the Guardians rotation entering 2026.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Williams (12-5) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings Tuesday, striking out 12 and earning a win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Williams gave up one run through five frames before serving up a solo homer to Riley Greene in the sixth inning. Williams was in line for the loss before the Guardians tallied three runs in the bottom of the inning. He's won four straight decisions, posting a 1.74 ERA over five starts during that stretch. The 26-year-old forced 18 whiffs on 91 total pitches Tuesday, including seven with his curveball and six with the sweeper. Williams now owns a 3.06 ERA with a 173:83 K:BB through 167.2 innings this season. He's tentatively scheduled to make his final regular-season start this weekend at home against the Rangers.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.