Walker Buehler's dominant start in Game 3 of the World Series proves why he's still the best big game pitcher in the business
In a pressure-packed World Series game in hostile territory in the Bronx, most pitchers would wilt like a flower that’s been cutoff from water. But Walker Buehler isn’t most pitchers. With his confidence at an all-time high, Buehler shutout the Yankees potent offense for five innings, allowing just two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
In those three outings, he’s given up a single run over 18 innings, a stat that cements him as one of baseball’s most clutch postseason arms. In a season that tested him more than any other, Monday night was his defining moment. “He’s still Walker Buehler,” said teammate Max Muncy on why he knew Buehler would have a big game on Monday night. “He had a second TJ , and it takes guys a lot longer to figure out who they are after a second TJ .. The timing wasn’t there for a while, but his last couple games going into the postseason he looked more like himself. Some guys live for the moment, and he’s definitely one of those guys. There’s nobody I want more in a big game than Walker Buehler.
In the fourth inning, Buehler faced his biggest challenge when Giancarlo Stanton smacked a double, sparking life in the home crowd. But a diving grab by Mookie Betts, followed by a perfect throw from Teoscar Hernández to nab Stanton at the plate, kept the Yankees scoreless. Buehler stayed calm, sticking to his plan, knowing that he couldn’t rely on pure velocity to escape tough situations. His control was back, and the trust in his own pitches was back with it.
Reflecting on this season, Buehler admitted last week, “Once I had my second surgery, I don’t think I was under any illusion that I was gonna sign a $350 million contract to be a starting pitcher for the next 10 years. So, I think I’m very happy to be a Los Angeles Dodger, and I would love to stay here for as long as they’ll have me. But I think in the past couple months, I’ve kind of built my confidence up a little bit to the point that there’ll be some teams that would want me.