Alex Cobb Included, Ben Lively Left Off ALDS Roster
The Cleveland Guardians chose to include veteran right-hander Alex Cobb (finger) on the roster for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, with right-hander Ben Lively being the odd man out. Injuries were the story for Cobb in 2024, as he opened the year on the injured list with the San Francisco Giants and then finished the season with the Guardians on the IL due to a blister issue on his right finger. The 36-year-old is apparently doing better now, but he'll most likely be used in a long-relief role out of the bullpen in the postseason. He only made three starts for Cleveland this year, posting a 2.76 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 10 K's and three walks in 16 1/3 innings. In two career postseason games back in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cobb gave up only two earned runs with 10 K's and three walks over 11 2/3 innings in his two starts.
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively (thigh) is listed as the team's probably starter for Sunday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Lively won't have to miss a start after taking a comebacker off his right thigh his last time out against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in the second inning. The 32-year-old exited with only a bruise and ended up being a disappointing fantasy streamer in an excellent matchup. He'll be looking to bounce back on Sunday after allowing 10 earned runs on 17 hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out only eight in 10 1/3 innings over his last three starts. Fantasy managers will certainly be hoping for more depth out of Lively, as he hasn't gone over 4 1/3 innings since Aug. 24 against the Texas Rangers. In his lone start against Tampa in 2024, Lively took a loss, giving up two earned runs on two walks and seven K's in 5 1/3 frames.
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively (thigh) exited his start early on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field due to a right-thigh bruise. Lively hit the deck after taking a comebacker off the bat of outfielder Dominic Fletcher to his thigh. He was helped off the field and removed from the contest. Fantasy managers that were streaming Lively in an excellent matchup have to be disappointed about his early exit. Before being helped off the diamond, he tossed two scoreless frames while allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two. At the very least, the 32-year-old will be questionable to make his next start, and he could also land on the 15-day injured list, which would put him at risk of missing the rest of the regular season as the Guardians try to clinch the American League Central.
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively is getting the starting nod on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Rookie Joey Cantillo got the start in Lively's place for the series opener against Chicago and was lights-out in seven innings of work. The Guardians were looking to give Lively an extra day of rest, and he'll now be even more attractive in the best matchup a pitcher could ask for. The 32-year-old has struggled of late, giving up 10 runs in his last two starts, but he now has the perfect bounce-back opportunity against the worst team in baseball. You better believe Lively will be a popular fantasy streamer on Tuesday. Since the All-Star break, Lively has struggled to a 4.98 ERA (5.33 FIP) with 18 walks and 30 strikeouts in his nine starts. In his two starts against Chicago in 2024, he's allowed six earned runs while walking four and fanning eight in 11 2/3 frames.
Ben Lively Notches Quality Start, Picks Up Win On Friday
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively struck out six and gave up just three hits in six innings during the Guardians 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Lively picked up the win and improved his record to 9-6 while his ERA dropped to 3.44 on the season. The 32-year-old has been having a very solid and under-the-radar season for the Guardians and has been a major boost for their rotation after Shane Bieber was forced to have Tommy John surgery at the beginning of the season. With a 1.17 WHIP, Lively should be on fantasy managers' radars as a sneaky pick-up that should provide consistent results. His next scheduled start is set for Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively put together a strong outing against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. It was his second outing of the season and both have come against the Red Sox. On Tuesday, Lively tossed 6 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, one run, zero walks and struck out seven on the evening. The 32-year-old has now allowed just three runs with 14 strikeouts and one walk over 11 1/3 innings. The Guardians always seem to have a pitcher factory churning and Lively could be the latest diamond in the rough for the franchise. It is still very early and both his starts have come against a injury plagued Red Sox lineup, but if Lively can toss another gem against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, he will be worth rostering in most formats.
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively (illness) has been reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's contest in Boston against the Red Sox. The Guardians signed the 32-year-old to a one-year contract this winter after he made his big-league return with the Reds in 2023. Lively spent three seasons in the KBO before returning to North America for the 2022 season but stayed at Triple-A with the Reds that year. He worked to a 5.38 ERA across 19 outings (12 starts) for the Reds last season and has made a pair of starts with Triple-A Columbus this season, posting a 3.24 ERA across 8 1/3 innings of work.
The Cleveland Guardians signed free-agent right-hander Ben Lively to a one-year, $750,000 on Tuesday. Lively probably isn't going to be a starting rotation option to open the 2024 season in Cleveland, but he could be if the Guardians trade right-hander Shane Bieber this winter. The 31-year-old Lively returned to the big leagues in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds for the first time since 2019, when he pitched for the Kansas City Royals. In 19 outings (12 starts) this past season for Cincinnati, he went 4-7 with a 5.38 ERA (5.35 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 25 walks and 79 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings pitched. Lively will most likely end up being a swing man for the cost-cutting Guardians next season and off the fantasy radar in the majority of leagues.
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Ben Lively cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. If Lively declines his assignment to the minors, he will become a free agent. The 31-year-old made his first appearance in the majors in 2023 since pitching just one inning with the Kansas City Royals in 2019. He wasn't all that affective, going 4-7 with a 5.38 ERA (5.35 FIP), 1.36 WHIP, 25 walks and a career-high 79 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings over 19 appearances (12 starts) for the Reds. If he hits the free-agent market, he'll likely have to settle for a minor-league deal with another club this winter.
The Cincinnati Reds placed right-handers Ben Lively (illness) and Fernando Cruz (illness) on the COVID injured list on Friday and recalled right-hander Lyon Richardson from Triple-A Louisville and activated reliever Tejay Antone (elbow) from the 60-day injured list in corresponding moves. Richardson made the start for Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. In addition to Lively and Cruz, the Reds placed right-hander Hunter Greene on the COVID IL earlier in the day on Friday, leaving Cincinnati short-handed in a crucial weekend series against the Cubbies. Lively was originally scheduled to start Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader, but now he'll be sidelined for at least a week.
Alex Cobb
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Guardians
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