Dodgers: Walker Buehler Dominates List of LA’s Top 10 Starts of 2019
Walker Buehler balled out in 2019. The 25-year-old right handed pitcher had a 3.26 ERA, two complete games, 215 strikeouts, and a 14-4 record in 30 starts to likely establish him as the Dodgers’ ace of the future.
Buehler’s dominance this season may have flown a bit under some people’s radar as teammates Hyun-Jim Ryu and Cody Bellinger were also having career years of their own. The people over at Dodger Insider clearly took notice, though.
We continue our offseason Top 10 series with the best #Dodgers starting pitching performances of 2019. Walker Buehler's historic June 21 start tops the list. https://t.co/T1rsHwidkl
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) November 29, 2019
As part of their offseason Top 10 series, Dodger Insider published the Top 10 Starts by the Dodgers in 2019, and Buehler was all over it. Literally, he was tied for the No. 10 spot and also took the No. 1 start of the season.
Buehler’s start on June 21 was named the best start by a Dodger in 2019. According to Dodger Insider, his brilliance in the game was momentarily forgotten, as the Colorado Rockies came back to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the ninth before rookie Matt Beaty smashed a two-run walkoff home run to give the Dodgers, and Buehler the win.
Buehler pitched a complete game, allowing just two runs off three hits and no walks, and striking out 16 batters along the way. It was a showcase of pure dominance.
He also tied for the second best start of the season with Ryu for his performance on Aug. 3 against the San Diego Padres. Another complete game for Buehler, he finished with a statline of one run allowed off five hits, and no walks to go with 15 strikeouts.
Buehler’s June 3 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks came in tied at No. 4 on the list. It wasn’t a complete game, but he still allowed just one run off two hits and 11 strikeouts in eight innings pitched.
His next game was a tie for No. 7, Sept. 10 against the Baltimore Orioles. Buehler pitched for seven innings, gave up four hits, and struck out 11 in a shutout performance.
Buehler’s final game on the Dodger Insider list was tied for the 10th best start by a Dodger in 2019, it was his start on July 21 against the Miami Marlins. It was yet another shutout for Buehler, this time in seven innings pitched. He gave up five hits and once again struck out 11 batters.
Do you agree with the list? Do you feel any other starts should have made the cut? Let us know in the comments.
