Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Clinches World Series with save
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Buehler struck out two in a perfect ninth inning against the Yankees on Wednesday to earn his first-ever save in Game 5 of the World Series.
Buehler, just two days removed from starting and pitching five scoreless innings in Game 3, told manager Dave Roberts that he was available in relief. The skipper turned to Buehler with the game on the line and the right-hander slammed the door to secure the championship for Los Angeles. A free agent this winter, Buehler mostly struggled during the regular season as he made his return from a second Tommy John surgery, going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA over 16 starts.
Buehler will start Monday against the Yankees in Game 3 of the World Series, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
After allowing six earned runs in his first start of the postseason, Buehler was able to bounce back by throwing four scoreless frames during his outing against the Mets in the NLCS. He'll look to build upon the positive momentum he gained from his last start, though that may be easier said than done against a Yankees offense that led the American League with a .762 OPS during the regular season.
Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Confirmed as Game 3 starter
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Monday that Buehler will start Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Mets, Nick Hamilton of SiriusXM reports.
The Dodgers elected to go with an opener (Ryan Brasier) and bulk reliever (Landon Knack) in Game 2, setting Buehler up to pitch on the road in Game 3 Wednesday. Buehler allowed six runs and didn't record a single strikeout over five innings in his NLDS Game 3 start versus the Padres. He will be opposed by Luis Severino on Wednesday.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Not starting Game 2
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Buehler isn't expected to pitch in Game 2 of the NLCS on Monday as the Dodgers opt for a bullpen game, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Manager Dave Roberts said that the Dodgers' bullpen usage in Game 1 would determine whether Buehler would start Game 2. With Jack Flaherty throwing seven scoreless innings in the series opener, the Dodgers have the luxury of throwing a bullpen game Monday. Buehler will likely slot in as the team's Game 3 starter, though that hasn't been confirmed.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Starting status for Game 2 uncertain
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Manager Dave Roberts explained Sunday that Buehler's likelihood of starting Game 2 of the NLCS versus the Mets could depend on how heavily the team deploys the bullpen in Game 1, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 1 on Sunday, and it sounds like Los Angeles will try to get decent depth from him. If the right-hander isn't able to go very deep and the bullpen gets heavy use, it appears the Dodgers will start Buehler on Monday in Game 2. On the other hand, if the bullpen is mostly spared in Game 1, Los Angeles may opt for a bullpen game Monday -- a strategy that was key in helping the team come back from a 2-1 deficit against San Diego in the NLDS. Buehler started Game 3 in that series and took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk without striking out a batter over five frames.
Buehler is expected to start Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Padres on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Buehler will toe the rubber in Game 3 after producing a 4.44 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 26.1 innings in five starts in September. The right-hander owns a 2.94 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 79.2 innings in 15 career postseason starts. He'll look to bring his best stuff Tuesday with the series knotted up at one game apiece.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Solid over five frames
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Buehler did not factor into the decision in a win over the Padres on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out one.
Buehler avoided much damage despite allowing at least one hit in four of his five innings of work. It marked the fifth consecutive start in which he was able to get through at least five innings, and he's allowed one run or fewer in two of his last three outings. Buehler did, however, post just one strikeout in Thursday's no-decision after fanning a season-high nine batters in his previous trip to the mound.
