Ben Lively DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (illness) was scratched from his start on Opening Day due to food poisoning. As a result, the Guardians will give right-handed pitcher Ben Lively the starting nod. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Bibee's status, but he should be ready to make his next scheduled start. Lively posted a 3.81 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP across 151 innings last season. He tallied 118 punchouts and served up walks at a modest 7.8 percent rate. He also generated a 4.00 xERA with a .240 xBA, which were both slightly below the average marks. Given Lively's low strikeout upside, he should not be targeted in any DFS competitions facing the Kansas City Royals, who will have first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hamstring) active.

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.