Dodgers: Walker Buehler Admits To His Road Struggles

At some points, Walker Buehler has been so dominant that he is gaining national recognition. However, that dominance has been much relegated to when he takes the mound at Dodger Stadium in 2019.

While the ‘why’ has not been discovered, folks are taking notice of Buehler’s home and road splits. For instance, Bill Plunkett of the OC Register talked with Buehler about this perplexing pattern that is developing as the season rolls onward following his Wednesday start at Marlins Park in Miami.

#Dodgers coverage: Master of his domain at home, Walker Buehler hasn’t been quite the same pitcher when the Dodgers leave town.https://t.co/O3RmWfWhdC

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 16, 2019

First, Buehler was asked what the key is to balancing things out. His answer was very simple.

“Throw better on the road,” he said. “There’s no way you can recreate it or do anything that could replicate pitching on the road. I don’t think that’s something that’s attainable. But I think just trying to get better in general I think is going to translate.

Furthermore, in a dozen starts on the road in 2019, Buehler has a 4.37 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. By comparison, in 11 home starts he is 5-0 with a 2.33 ERA and an 0.82 WHIP. The opposition is hitting just .196 against Buehler at Chavez Ravine.

Still, Buehler doesn’t feel that it’s anything too concerning; but rather a random pattern.

“I’ve had good games on the road in my career and I’ve had good games at home. Just a matter of having more good ones in general, not one or the other.”

Obviously, this is something worth keeping an eye on. Not in the matter that Buehler must put forth good starts on the road before the season ends. He remains a capable pitcher whenever his number comes up. With that being said, look for the Dodgers to attempt to align his starts at Dodger Stadium in the postseason.

With the data that exists, enough collection has deemed Buehler more comfortable observed at Dodger Stadium. Be it because of routine, familiarity, or something different; that’s just the way it is for the time being.

Finally, Buehler is a pitcher I take my chances with at any park when the lights are the brightest. However, if you can get those lights to be the ones lit at Dodger Stadium; you have an added and known advantage.