Andrew Friedman Reveals Conversation With Walker Buehler That Won Dodgers the Title
Ahead of Game 5 of the World Series, Los Angeles Dodgers starter Walker Buehler told president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman he was going to make himself available to pitch from the bullpen if needed. Friedman initially brushed off the idea. Buehler was coming off a start two days prior, and would potentially start Game 7 if the series went on that long.
“‘Yeah, yeah, Walker. That’s great,’” Friedman recalled telling Buehler, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register. “‘But what if things get wonky,’ (Buehler said). ‘Yeah, yeah – if things get wonky no problem’ knowing that we had a fully rested bullpen. Yeah, yeah, yeah.’”
Things ended up getting “wonky.” The Dodgers quickly fell behind as Jack Flaherty gave up four earned runs in 1.1 innings. The Dodgers had to turn to their bullpen earlier than expected, and after they used part of their bullpen the day before in Game 4 of the World Series.
As the Yankees took a 5-0 lead, the Dodgers already began planning for Game 6. With the series returning to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the Dodgers were figuring out how to get Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto on an earlier flight so he would get better rest.
“We were coming down (to the clubhouse) to talk about flying Yamamoto if the game went bad, trying to find how we could get him a lay-down (seat) so he could get some sleep,” Friedman said. “As the (fifth) inning is unfolding, we go into the sixth. Walker comes in and says, ‘Is this the definition of wonky?’ ‘Yes, it is.’”
Turns out, there would be no need for Yamamoto to fly back early. Thanks to some mistakes by the Yankees, the Dodgers rallied to tie the game with five runs in the fifth inning. The Yankees scored another run an inning later, but the Dodgers took the lead with two runs in the eighth inning. All the Dodgers had to do was keep the Yankees from scoring.
To do so, the Dodgers put Buehler in the game to close out the ninth inning. Buehler delivered. In the ninth inning, Buehler allowed no hits and struck out two, including the final out against former Dodger Alex Verdugo. He led the Dodgers to victory, and cemented their World Series title.
Photo Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
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I was wondering; could the Dodgers have Walker Buelher in the same transition as the A’s did with Dennis Eckersley, from starting pitcher to closer? Except for one pitch to Mr. Gibson, it worked out pretty well for all.