New York, New York – Walker Buehler's regular season couldn't have gotten any worse after his return from Tommy John surgery, but on Wednesday night, he looked like his old self.
The 30-year-old Buehler, once considered perhaps the ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers staff without Clayton Kershaw, started 16 games this year and posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA.
With other injuries to the Dodgers' rotation, including Carso, Buehler was almost inevitably the starter.
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Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during Game 3 of the NLCS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets on loan at Citi Field on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 in New York, New York. (Daniel Shiley/MLB Photo via Getty Images)
His first start in the postseason was a microcosm of the regular season, with poor results. In what could have been his last appearance of the season, he allowed six earned runs in five innings against the San Diego Padres.
However, LA won that series in five games, and the Dodgers named Buehler the starter for Game 3 of the NLCS.
Although he lacked pitches and innings, he did not disappoint. He struck out Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded in the second inning, and was able to pitch four scoreless innings despite requiring 90 pitches.
Throughout this season, and as recently as last week, manager Dave Roberts has been very impressed with Buehler's recovery.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) reacts after getting an out in the bottom of the second inning of Game 3 of the NLCS of the 2024 MLB Playoffs against the New York Mets at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz Imagine image)
Dodgers' Dave Roberts still enjoys “beating that team across town.''
“He's had to reinvent himself in a way. I say that in a complimentary way. Obviously, this has been a very difficult year coming back from a really major surgery. '' Roberts said after Game 3 of the National League CS against the New York Mets. The Dodgers won 8-0.
“The other aspect is that when the wind is blowing it's easier to ride…but when you hit adversity you lose confidence and then you reset and get back up and still keep going. That's something I can't do. “If you look at June or July, I don't think anyone had ever seen him in this position, and that's a credit to Walker. ”
Walker himself declined to say he felt extra pressure after his disastrous start against the Padres, saying, “Pressure is a privilege.”
“I don't think pressure is the right word. It's overused too much… I've done things like this many times. These games certainly excite me, like they did when I was younger. “It doesn't overwhelm me,'' he added.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets in Game 3 of the NLCS of the 2024 MLB Playoffs held at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz Imagine image)
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Buehler now has a chance to pitch in Game 7 and hopes to pitch at least four innings, but he certainly feels much more naive now than he did after his last pitch.
Additionally, Roberts would have no problem writing his name on that lineup card if he needed it in a few days.
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