With Shane Bieber and Gavin Williams injured the Guards have started the season with a shorthanded rotation. But offseason free agent Ben Livey has more than picked up his fair share of the burden.
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Livey was signed in December on a one-year deal. This signing was all about adding some depth to the starting rotation, and Cleveland was probably not expecting much from him. Since making the majors in 2017 Lively has struggled, including a rough 2023 campaign, where he bounced between Cincinnati and Triple-A Louisville. In 12 starts for the big league club went 4-7 with a 5.38 ERA.
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But here we are in May 2024, and Livey is one of the best pitchers on the Cleveland staff, with a 3-2 record and 2.84 ERA/1.237 WHIP. In 38 innings he has allowed only 35 hits, striking out 38. History suggests he won’t keep this up. But for now, Cleveland has a solid top three in Tanner Bibee, Triston McKenzie, and Livley. When Williams returns, he should settle into the #4 spot in the rotation and stay there until he proves he does not belong. And with any luck, that will be a long wait.
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I am also happy I quickly acquired Lively’s 2013 Grandstand Billings Mustangs card–his first professional card. Minor league cards are either easy, expensive, or impossible to get. I was happy this was the first one.