Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
In 2-0 Hole, Dodgers Turn to Rookie Buehler to Rescue Them
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
October 26, 2018

Share

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have seen the future and it’s ace-in-the-making Walker Buehler. Except they need him to deliver now.
Buehler will try to yank Los Angeles out of a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Red Sox when the World Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Friday.

“It’s a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow, but at the same time there’s a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario.” — Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher 
Clearly, the Dodgers trust their 24-year-old rookie.
He led them to a victory over Colorado in Game 163 that clinched Los Angeles’ sixth straight NL West title.
The right-hander also pitched well in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against Milwaukee.
Now, the pressure is on the calm and confident kid from Kentucky horse country to keep them out of a potential 3-0 hole.
“It’s a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow,” Buehler said Thursday, “but at the same time there’s a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario.”

The Dodgers’ Strongest Pitcher in the Postseason

Since starting the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler has impressed as the heir apparent to three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who could opt out of the final two years of his contract after the World Series.

“Walker is a tremendous talent. His competitiveness is off-the-charts, his ability is off-the-charts.” — Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher 
“Walker is a tremendous talent,” Kershaw said after the NL tiebreaker game. “His competitiveness is off-the-charts, his ability is off-the-charts.”
Buehler was 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 24 regular-season appearances, including one in relief. He was especially good down the stretch with a 1.55 ERA over his last 12 starts.
He’s been the Dodgers’ strongest pitcher in the postseason, even if his numbers don’t back that up. He’s 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and at least seven strikeouts in each of his three starts.
In Game 163 at home, Buehler tossed one-hit ball into the seventh inning and didn’t allow anyone past second base against the Rockies in 90-degree heat. Similar conditions are expected Friday in stark contrast to the chill that permeated Fenway Park for the series’ first two games.
Buehler’s had one bad inning: Game 3 of the NL Division Series at Atlanta. With Braves fans getting rowdy, he served up a grand slam to Ronald Acuna Jr. in the second.
But he immediately settled down and didn’t allow a baserunner over the next three innings to help preserve the bullpen. In all, he gave up five runs on two hits and three walks in five innings.
“Anytime you’re in situations like that, the more that you can get there and live it yourself, I think does nothing but help you,” he said.

Buehler Struck out Eight Over Seven Innings

Buehler struck out eight over seven innings of four-run ball in Game 3 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium, but took a 4-0 loss. He was cool on the road in Game 7,  allowing only a homer to Christian Yelich and no walks in 4 2/3 innings:

“To be in a hostile, really boisterous crowd in Milwaukee and for him to keep his composure and to execute pitches speaks a lot to him, not only to compete but to eliminate kind of the outside noise and still stay within a game plan,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It just shows a lot of moxie.”
The Red Sox counter with right-hander Rick Porcello, who is 1-0 in two starts this postseason. He’s also appeared twice as a reliever, with Boston winning in each of his appearances.
The Dodgers could use some innings out of Buehler after neither Kershaw nor Hyun-Jin Ryu made it out of the fifth in the first two games of the best-of-seven series.
“We expect Walker to go out there and pitch well and keep us in the game,” Roberts said, “and offensively we’ve got to go out there and get a lead.”

Buehler Has Been Through a Lot in His Young Career

Back in a National League ballpark, Buehler will be batting, too. He already has first professional RBI, having singled in the NL tiebreaker game:

“He’s got weapons to attack particular hitter’s weakness and also go to his strengths. But the number one thing with Walker is that when he’s good, he’s got good fastball command.” — Manager Dave Roberts
Buehler and his fastball that touches the high 90s will be taking on a big-hitting Boston lineup for the first time in his career.
“He’s got weapons to attack particular hitter’s weakness and also go to his strengths,” Roberts said. “But the number one thing with Walker is that when he’s good, he’s got good fastball command.”
Buehler has been through a lot in his young career. Drafted by Pittsburgh in 2012, he instead chose to attend Vanderbilt and helped the Commodores to the 2014 College World Series title.
The Dodgers drafted him the following year and he received a $1.7 million signing bonus. Soon after, he had Tommy John surgery and was sidelined for 1 ½ years. He finally made his pro debut in August 2016 and was quickly promoted through the minors.

A No-Hitter Through Six Innings

The Dodgers called him up in September 2017 and he earned his first major league victory two weeks later.
In May, Buehler had a no-hitter through six innings against San Diego but Roberts pulled him after 93 pitches. Still, he was part of the first combined no-hitter in franchise history.
In June, he briefly went on the disabled list after taking a comebacker in the ribs. Yet like his team, Buehler didn’t stay down for long. He came back less than a week later to make his lone relief appearance.
The Dodgers have played from behind all season, and the World Series is proving to be no different.
“Now it’s time to get back to where we need to be,” Buehler said.

DON'T MISS

Braves’ Jurickson Profar Hit With 80-Game PED Ban

DON'T MISS

Watch: City Demolishes Historic Chinatown Building to Make Way for Housing

DON'T MISS

The Mystery of Melania Trump’s Wedding Dress and an eBay Sale

DON'T MISS

Heading to Sierra? Prepare for Heavy Snow

DON'T MISS

Mexican National Caught in Fresno County Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking

DON'T MISS

CA Snowpack Is Near-Average. What Does This Mean for Water Supplies?

DON'T MISS

Shohei Ohtani Adds Another No. 1 to His Resume: MLB’s Best-Selling Jersey

DON'T MISS

Tush Push Is the Hottest Topic at the NFL League Meetings

DON'T MISS

U.S. Bank Executive Terry Dolan Dies in Plane Crash Near Minneapolis

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Will Review Billions in Funding for Harvard

UP NEXT

Shohei Ohtani Adds Another No. 1 to His Resume: MLB’s Best-Selling Jersey

UP NEXT

Tush Push Is the Hottest Topic at the NFL League Meetings

UP NEXT

Former MLB Pitcher CJ Wilson of Fresno on New Torpedo Bats: ‘Still Room for Innovation’

UP NEXT

Torpedo-Shaped Bats Draw Attention After Yankees Hit Team-Record 9 Homers

UP NEXT

March Madness Guide: All No. 1 Seeds in Final Four After Houston and Auburn Win

UP NEXT

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

UP NEXT

Snell Wins Dodgers Debut, Hernández and Ohtani Go Deep in Home-Opening Victory

UP NEXT

Wilmer Flores’ 3-Run Homer in the 9th Inning Propels Giants to Victory Over Reds

UP NEXT

LeBron Finishes Big to Lift Lakers Past Pacers and Extend Record Scoring Streak

UP NEXT

LeShon Johnson, Ex-NFL Running Back, Ran Major Dogfighting Kennel, US Says

Heading to Sierra? Prepare for Heavy Snow

15 hours ago

Mexican National Caught in Fresno County Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking

15 hours ago

CA Snowpack Is Near-Average. What Does This Mean for Water Supplies?

16 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Adds Another No. 1 to His Resume: MLB’s Best-Selling Jersey

16 hours ago

Tush Push Is the Hottest Topic at the NFL League Meetings

16 hours ago

U.S. Bank Executive Terry Dolan Dies in Plane Crash Near Minneapolis

17 hours ago

Trump Administration Will Review Billions in Funding for Harvard

17 hours ago

Former MLB Pitcher CJ Wilson of Fresno on New Torpedo Bats: ‘Still Room for Innovation’

17 hours ago

Man Arrested After Shooting at Fresno’s Switch Nightclub

17 hours ago

Who Is Fresno’s ‘Fake’ ICE Agent? He Speaks Up

18 hours ago

Braves’ Jurickson Profar Hit With 80-Game PED Ban

NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use. Major ...

14 hours ago

Jurickson Profar
14 hours ago

Braves’ Jurickson Profar Hit With 80-Game PED Ban

14 hours ago

Watch: City Demolishes Historic Chinatown Building to Make Way for Housing

Photo of First Lady Melania Trump
15 hours ago

The Mystery of Melania Trump’s Wedding Dress and an eBay Sale

15 hours ago

Heading to Sierra? Prepare for Heavy Snow

Miguel Obed Romero Reyes, 25, of Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty Monday, March 31, 2025, to trafficking more than 200,000 fentanyl pills after authorities seized the drugs during a traffic stop on Interstate 5. (DOJ)
15 hours ago

Mexican National Caught in Fresno County Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking

16 hours ago

CA Snowpack Is Near-Average. What Does This Mean for Water Supplies?

16 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Adds Another No. 1 to His Resume: MLB’s Best-Selling Jersey

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) lines up for the goal line Tush Push play during the NFL championship playoff football game against the Washington Commanders, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP File)
16 hours ago

Tush Push Is the Hottest Topic at the NFL League Meetings

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend