Cleveland Guardians Exclude Ben Lively from ALDS Roster

The Cleveland Guardians have excluded pitcher Ben Lively from their ALDS roster against the Detroit Tigers, despite his solid performance during the regular season with a 13-10 record and a 3.81 ERA over 29 starts. This decision raises concerns about the Guardians' pitching strategy, especially in light of injuries to key players like Shane Bieber, who is out for the season. Cleveland's bullpen has been one of the best in MLB, leading manager Stephen Vogt to rely on them heavily in the playoffs. Lively's inconsistency towards the end of the season may have influenced the team's choice, as he struggled with a 4.53 ERA in the final two months. The Guardians will now face a tough challenge in the ALDS, particularly with the pressure on their remaining pitchers, including Alex Cobb, who is returning from injury. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if the Guardians can overcome the loss of Lively and succeed in the series.