NEW YORK — Ben Lively said it “stung’ to be left off Cleveland’s postseason rosters in the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series.
He understood it, but that didn’t mean he liked it.
“Of course, I understand it. Yeah, it was tough,” he told reporters before Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. “I pushed myself pretty hard this year just to have an opportunity to be in the playoffs. Yeah, it stung. But I’m going to use it.”
To use it, Lively needed a chance to make the roster.
The chance arrived Tuesday afternoon when he was activated to replace injured right-hander Alex Cobb (strained lower back). It’s still unclear what role Lively will be used in for the remainder of the ALCS, but whatever it is he’s going to use that stored up angst to show he belonged on the roster in the first place.
When manager Stephen Vogt was asked if Lively “using it” was a good thing or bad thing, he smiled and said, “I love it. No one wants to be left off the roster. No matter who you are, if you helped us get here, you want to be part of the roster. Unfortunately, there are only so many spots.
“Ben and I have talked a lot the last week. I told him, ‘I don’t want you to be happy. It’s OK to not be happy.’ He’s already got a chip on his shoulder. For him to have another one, I’m excited to see him use it.”
Lively went 13-10 with a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts during the regular season. For a long time, he was the foundation for a rotation that kept losing key arms to injuries and poor performances.
The Guardians have not revealed their starters past Tanner Bibee, who started Game 2 Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. The series moves to Cleveland for Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary). Lively and Gavin Williams are candidates to start those games.
“We’re working through a lot,” said Vogt. “Ben is going to available out of the bullpen, but we also have the option to start him as the series goes. We’re still working through what we’re going to do Games 3, 4, and 5.”
Vogt added that Cobb was scheduled to start Game 5 should the series go that far.
“I know we have a plan,” said Lively. “Now it’s my time to go execute that plan.”
Vogt said Cobb had his back examined after Monday night’s game. In his second postseason start for Cleveland, Cobb allowed three runs on five hits in 2 2/3 to take the loss in New York’s 5-2 victory.
He left after experiencing back spasms and pain in his surgically-reparied left hip.
