Dodgers: Chronicling Walker Buehler’s Seventh Start

Dodgers Nation will be following Walker Buehler’s starts as he seeks to be the next elite Dodgers pitcher. The Dodgers have a history of dominant players on the mound from Sandy Koufax to Don Drysdale to Clayton Kershaw. As a former first round pick and a highly touted prospect, Buehler looks to be the next big thing in Los Angeles. All we can do is relax and enjoy the show.

May 27, 2018

Season statistics coming into the game: (2-1, 2.38 ERA)

The Opponent: San Diego Padres

Days of Rest: 5

Innings Pitched: 7

Earned Runs: 1

Hits: 4

Home Runs: 0

Strikeouts: 8

Walks: 0

Game Score: 79

Pitch Count: 93 (66 strikes)

Batters Faced: 25

Season statistics after the game: 3-1, 2.20 ERA

History

Only in his first full season, Walker Buehler already has a history with the San Diego Padres. Earlier this month when the Dodgers faced the Padres in Monterrey, Mexico, Buehler pitched in the historic combined no-hitter. This was Buehler’s third start of the season and his first time facing the friars.

The Start

Now, in his seventh career start, Buehler faced the Padres for the second time in his life. Once again, Buehler threw another masterful start, pitching seven innings allowing four hits and allowing one run. He struck out eight in the game without surrendering a walk in his outing.

Walker Buehler is a pleasure to watch pitch. 7 innings on 93 pitches. He had 8 SO and no walks. Gives up 1 ER on 4 H. Leaves with a 2-1 lead.

— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) May 27, 2018

The Highs

On two separate occasions, Buehler struck out the side. In the second inning, Buehler retired Cory Spangenberg, Franmil Reyes and Freddy Galvis on 15 pitches, getting them all to go down swinging. Then, in the seventh inning, Buehler struck out the side on 16 pitches, again retiring the combination of Spangenberg, Reyes and Galvis.

Aside from striking out the side on two separate occasions, Buehler was efficient, throwing only 93 pitches through seven innings. Allowing only four hits and not surrendering a walk, he avoided serious trouble. He never allowed more than one baserunner per inning and pitched perfect baseball in his final two innings of work.

The Lows

Buehler’s only struggle came in the fifth inning. He allowed his lone run that inning. He allowed a leadoff double to Freddy Galvis. Buehler then threw a wild pitch and then Galvis scored on a sacrifice fly by Raffy Lopez. Despite allowing a run that inning, Buehler only threw 10 pitches.

With the Bat

Buehler is not much of a hitter. Looking back at his college days at Vanderbilt and his minor league numbers, there is no record of him being a threat with a bat in his hands. With that said, Buehler helped his cause in the third inning when he singled to lead off the inning. He came around to score on a Kike Hernandez single, scoring the first run of the game.

Postgame

Dave Roberts on @buehlersdayoff's outing & dominant start to the season and Max Muncy exceeding expectations. pic.twitter.com/KznYnehA1F

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 27, 2018

As Dave Roberts shared in the postgame interview, Buehler had exceptional command of his pitches throughout the game. His skipper went on to compare Buehler to two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. Hopefully Buehler can live up to that comparison while showing more longevity than the former ace of the San Francisco Giants.

Analysis

Buehler did not have to face the ‘27 Yankees with the matchup he faced on Sunday. With that said, he continued to live up to his potential against the Padres. He has thrown a quality start in four of his last five starts and his command has continued to improve in recent weeks. His next scheduled start will be this weekend as the Dodgers head to the Mile High City to face the Colorado Rockies.