Former Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Walker Buehler will never have to buy a drink or a meal in the city ever again after closing out Game 5 last season en route to the team’s World Series triumph over the New York Yankees.
While the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement on a reunion, Buehler has forever etched himself into Dodgers lore — and the love between himself and those who support the Boys in Blue will never fade.
Interestingly enough, Buehler’s volatile (and short) tenure with the Boston Red Sox led to him latching on with the Philadelphia Phillies once becoming a free agent.
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He recently caught up with Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain at Dodger Stadium during a recent homestand. Buehler spoke about what potentially facing the Dodgers in the postseason could look like.
“I don’t want to get too into it, but you guys know I like pitching in October. We’ll see what happens. I really like our team here and the group we have, and the talent,” Buehler said. “Hopefully I can help or pick something up or do whatever I can to help [the Phillies] cross the finish line.”
Buehler struggled immensely this year with the Boston Red Sox — going 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA before being let go. His stuff seemed down from a velocity and movement standpoint, and without the ability to put hitters away via the strikeout, things quickly unraveled.
Interestingly enough back home in the National League, things have gone far better. In three appearances since joining the Phillies, Buehler has a 3-0 record with a 0.66 ERA — allowing only one earned run in 13.2 IP.
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Based on his reputation as a killer in the postseason coupled with his performances as of late, it would be somewhat surprising for him to not be on the Phillies postseason roster.
As fate would have it, things are lining up for Los Angeles and Philadelphia to square off in the NLDS assuming the Dodgers get past their eventual Wild Card opponent.
Seeing Buehler pitch against the Dodgers one year after his heroic efforts last season — and potentially in LA in front of the fans who sincerely love and respect him — would be a very surreal moment.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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