Dodgers: Walker Buehler Discusses Plan for NLDS Game 1 Start
Walker Buehler will be on the hill for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Ahead of the start, Buehler spoke to the media regarding his game plan for the start and the honor of receiving the opportunity from the Dodgers.
Here is the link to the full interview, courtesy of Sports Net LA:
"For me it's just trying to get deep into games and put up zeros."@buehlersdayoff on facing the Nationals and getting the start for Game 1. pic.twitter.com/yevCiDselh
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) October 3, 2019
Humble Buehler
When asked about how he felt about receiving for the nod in Game 1, Buehler exemplified pure humility.
“It is an honor. Around here, I don’t know if one, two, or three really matters. It’s more about pitching for this team in the playoffs and I think the order is a little bit less significant than people want to make it out to be. I’m just excited that I get to pitch.”
The Game Plan
Buehler was asked about what he has learned from performing on the biggest stage in 2018 and pitching in Game 163:
“In the actual playoffs, I had two bad ones and two good ones. I think for me, the biggest takeaway is that if you get into that spot and it’s not going so well, saving bullpens and eating innings is super important — especially when you have limited rosters and a lot of games to play. I think for me it’s just trying to go deep into games and put up zeroes.”
Tinkering
Buehler has been tinkering with his mechanics and pitches in recent weeks and here was his response when he was asked about it:
“I am nowhere different than I have been all year. Maybe it’s my nervous tick that gets me going, but it’s not going to change now. It’s who I am and I think I have always done that. The one that story that got out that people know about is my St. Louis start last year that at the time, was the biggest start of my career. I threw a brand new slider and after that one went well, the confidence level with the acceptance of ‘this is something I can handle’ made all the doubt go away.”
Overall
Buehler sounds locked and loaded. He’s ready. Are you?
