Walker Buehler to start for Dodgers in Game 3 of NLDS

SAN DIEGO — As Walker Buehler sauntered off the mound in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series against the Red Sox, Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax was seen in the background giving the young right-hander a standing ovation for his efforts.

That’s an image that has been played over and over again in Buehler’s career highlights. It was the start of his dominance on big stages, something that continued over the next few seasons.

Buehler has pitched in many big games throughout his career. The Dodgers rode his back in the 2021 postseason, asking him to pitch on short rest twice during that run. Time and time again, Buehler has answered the bell. More often than not, he has delivered.

“It’s kind of the only thing I care about,” Buehler grinned, when asked what it means to him to be labeled a “big-game pitcher.”

“We play in these games every year. Every team that plays in the playoffs plays in a swing game or the big momentum game. And I just happen to be starting this one. If I’m Game 6, Game 7, Game 3, Game whatever, I’ve thrown in all these games. That’s not the stuff I get super wrapped up in. I want to try and go make a quality start and put our team in a position to win the game.”

Though the situation is something Buehler is accustomed to, his path to this point is much different than it has been in previous seasons. Before his second major right elbow surgery, Buehler was the hard-throwing youngster who could overpower just about any hitter in baseball.

This season, things were much harder for Buehler. He struggled with his command and consistency when he returned after nearly a three-year absence. As he looked for answers and to work through a nagging right hip injury, Buehler went to Florida to work at Cressey Performance Center.

Upon his return, the struggles didn’t necessarily end, as he posted a 4.93 ERA over his final eight starts. But during that process, Buehler felt he was starting to regain the feel that made him one of the best pitchers in baseball prior to the injury.

“I think it’s all the same thing. I think part of my struggles for sure was kind of wanting to do it as easy as I felt like I used to do it — not that playing this game at this level is ever easy,” Buehler said. “But in 2020, 2021, there were times that the game felt like I knew what I was doing. And this year, there were times that I really didn’t.

“I think when you’re stuck in a mechanic or in that struggle, there’s not enough confidence in the ability to do the things that you want to do. And you get caught in between a lot. For me, that stuff has kind of faded recently.”

A lack of confidence has never been an issue for Buehler. Regardless of his numbers, Buehler has never shied away from the competition. The Dodgers will need Buehler to tap into that skill on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles’ starting pitching hasn’t been effective in the first two games of the series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto struggled in Game 1 on Saturday night and Jack Flaherty allowed four runs over 5 1/3 innings in Game 2 on Sunday night, the longest postseason start by a Dodger since Tyler Anderson in Game 4 of the 2022 NLDS.

But with the biggest game of the season coming up, the Dodgers feel confident Buehler will give them exactly what they need. Buehler believes he’s the man for the job. Just like old times.

“I think what makes him the right guy is his past performance in those spots,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “I think that everyone can say they’re a big-game pitcher and love that moment, but you’re not until you’ve done it and had success. And Walker’s had success in some of the biggest games, certainly in my tenure.”