Guardians Pull Off Shocking Move: Fan Favorite Ben Lively Gets Cut from Playoff Roster

In a stunning move that has left fans and pundits alike reeling, the Cleveland Guardians have opted to leave starting pitcher Ben Lively off their roster for the AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers. Despite being a vital cog in the Guardians' rotation this season, Lively's exclusion has raised eyebrows and sparked a flurry of questions about the team's decision-making process.

Throughout the regular season, Lively had been a consistent performer for the Guardians, churning out quality start after quality start to help propel the team to the playoffs. His impressive resume, which includes a sterling ERA and a healthy strikeout-to-walk ratio, made him a shoo-in for the playoff roster in the eyes of many. However, it appears that the Guardians' front office had other plans, choosing instead to prioritize other arms in their bullpen.

While Lively's exclusion from the roster is undoubtedly the biggest talking point, the Guardians' decision to include Rafael Montero on the roster is another interesting move. Montero, who has impressed in limited action this season, will look to play a key role in the team's bullpen as they seek to shut down the Tigers' potent offense. Meanwhile, the Tigers themselves have made some roster moves of their own, with Casey Mize being left off the roster due to a variety of factors, including his inconsistent performance and ongoing injury concerns.

As the AL Division Series gets underway, all eyes will be on the Guardians and their pitching staff. Can they overcome the loss of Ben Lively and make a deep run in the playoffs? Only time will tell. One thing's for sure, though: the Guardians' roster decisions have added an extra layer of intrigue to what was already shaping up to be a thrilling series.