Is this the beginning of the end for Ben Lively?

Overall, the contributions from Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively have been fantastic. Lively came in unheralded on a one-year deal with little to no real expectations for Cleveland and has managed to surpass even the most optimistic outlook anyone could have imagined.

With a 2.59 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 55.2 innings across his first 10 starts, Lively was able to put Cleveland's rotation on his back when they needed it most. Holding opponents to a .229/.282/.395 slash line with seven home runs given up while throwing 65% of his pitches for strikes (17% looking, 9% swinging) in addition to having an average game score of 57 and 1.057 win probability added. Unfortunately, it appears whatever adjustments were made by Lively that resulted in his early season success are no longer as effective as they once were.

Over his last five starts, Lively has seen his ERA skyrocket to 5.67 while only striking out 23 batters and walking eight in 27 innings. Opponents are now slashing .272/.333/.505 with six home runs against Lively. Strike percentage is down to 67% while looking is up to 20, and swinging has remained the same. Meanwhile, his game score is now at 47, and his win probability added is on the wrong end of the spectrum, sitting at -0.255.

It certainly seems like the league has plenty of information on Lively's current repertoire and has made adjustments accordingly. Opposing hitters are finding a way to make Lively's pitches less effective, and the result has been an improved performance at the plate. This is very concerning for the Guardians, considering how much they have leaned on Lively to be a key member of their starting rotation. If he is not able to adjust to their adjustments and find a new way to attack hitters, his time as an impactful starter for Cleveland could come to an end just as soon as it began.