Lively, a pleasant surprise in Guardians' rotation, is dialed in this spring?

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Coming off of a season in which he was one of the Guardians’ most consistent starting pitchers, Ben Lively figures to be in a better spot now compared to where he was this time last year.

Lively dealt with a viral illness during Spring Training last March, which limited him to two Cactus League appearances (one start) and just 4 1/3 innings. He opened the season on the 15-day injured list and was thrust into the Guardians’ rotation following his return to health, after Shane Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery.

Lively debuted on April 17 last season after having a limited build-up. The 33-year-old right-hander is enjoying a more methodical pace this spring.

“Last year was a blast-off right when the season started for me,” Lively said. “The beginning of the year, I felt like I wasn’t even ready for three innings. It was like, ‘Damn, here you go. You're starting.’ And it was like, ‘OK, here we go.’

“Getting actual work in [this spring], I feel like you get a little bit more dialed in. You execute a little bit better, not just throwing your best stuff up there, but playing the game plan.”

Of course, having a normal build-up is the goal. Lively used his full arsenal during his start on Sunday against the Brewers. In his first three times out, he focused on his fastball location; then his fastball and changeup; and fastball and slider last start.

He did not have the luxury to go through a build-up like that last March, but Lively still had a strong 2024 season. He posted career highs in starts (29) and innings pitched (151) -- both of which were second on the Guardians behind Tanner Bibee -- while recording a 3.81 ERA.

Lively was a pleasant surprise in Cleveland’s rotation. But just as important, his consistent presence was key for a staff that not only lost Bieber after two starts, but was without Gavin Williams until July 3 (right elbow inflammation). Last year represents something for him to build off of in 2025, and another consistent season would go a long way in the Cleveland rotation behind Bibee.

With a new campaign approaching, the focus for Lively and the Guardians is on building off of what they achieved a year ago.

“[Manager Stephen Vogt] keeps preaching … ‘Last year's ceiling is this year's floor,’” Lively said. “And I feel that now. I just want to find those ways to make it better and go throw more innings and more games.”

It’s something Vogt is preaching to the full clubhouse.

“We accomplished a lot of great things and we set the foundation for what we're about [last year],” Vogt said. “And now, we have to pick up where we left off, but we need to continue to grow and get better.

“We need to continue to improve on the little things. We need to continue to put the focus on pushing ourselves every single day to get better. Our group's been doing that, and we just got to really hit the gas pedal here these last couple weeks.”