8-30-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
Eager to move past a dreadful series at home against the Cubs, the Pirates head 130 miles northwest to face the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians and surprising success story in Ben Lively.
Lively bounced around several MLB organizations since debuting in 2017, even spending a few years in Korea and posting a
4.59 total ERA through 412 combined innings overseas and in the States. This year, however, the 32-year old journeyman has a 3.62 ERA over 126.2 innings with Cleveland.
Entering play tonight, Lively has a 3.62 ERA through 126.1 innings with an 11-8 record in 23 starts this season. His stuff isn’t overpowering, relying mostly on utilizing his above average extension for avoiding barrels and generating weak contact.
He works mostly off that low-90s 4-seam/sinker while adding a high-70s sweeper breaking down and in glove-side. He’ll add in the low-80s changeup and high-70s curve mostly against lefties but primarily works off the main three.
There’s nothing spectacular about any of his pitches but the extension makes them work a bit better paired with location and deception.
Hitters will want to look for the heat, pick spots and attack. His sinker and 4-seam have been susceptible to the long ball with 14 of his 21 allowed coming against hard stuff.
Tough challenge against the Guardians tonight but chance to bounce back in a big way against Lively.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Steel City Pirates 