The Guardians and Ben Lively have agreed to a one-year, $2.25M deal to avoid arbitration.

Fantasy Impact

Lively pitched well in 2024, posting a 3.82 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in 29 starts. The 32-year-old will likely begin the season in the rotation for Cleveland.

The Guardians added Ben Lively to their ALCS roster.

Fantasy Impact

Lively takes the spot of Alex Cobb who was removed due to a back injury.

Ben Lively struggled to find his rhythm in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Astros.

Fantasy Impact

He allowed two earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four over four innings. This performance slightly tarnishes what has been a solid season for Lively, who now sports a 3.81 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP through 29 starts. His inability to go deep into games recently, coupled with a modest strikeout rate of 7.0 K/9, might raise concerns for fantasy managers relying on him for strikeouts and wins. However, his overall stability this season should keep him in fantasy rotations, albeit with tempered expectations.

Ben Lively turned in a solid performance on Friday, limiting the Cardinals to just one earned run on three hits and a walk over five innings, while striking out two in the Guardians' 5-1 win.

Fantasy Impact

This outing is a bright spot in what has been a somewhat inconsistent season for Lively, marked by a middling ERA of 3.80 and a FIP that suggests he's been a bit fortunate with a .262 BABIP. His modest strikeout rate of 7.0 K/9 continues to cap his fantasy upside, making him more of a streaming option in favorable matchups rather than a must-start. However, his ability to secure wins, now totaling 13 on the season, keeps him relevant in formats that heavily reward victories.

Ben Lively allowed four hits across five scoreless innings on Sunday against the Rays.

Fantasy Impact

Lively added two strikeouts and one walk on the day. He was removed in the sixth inning after allowing back-to-back singles. He is scheduled to face the Cardinals in his next start.