Dodgers manager praises Walker Buehler's NLCS outing after previous struggles following Tommy John surgery

NEW YORK, NY – Walker Buehler's regular season couldn't have been much worse after returning from Tommy John surgery, but he looked like himself again on Wednesday night.

The 30-year-old Buehler, once probably considered the ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers team without Clayton Kershaw, posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA in 16 starts this year.

Due to additional injuries in the Dodgers' rotation, including Kerhsaw, Buehler was named the starter almost out of necessity.

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Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during Game 3 of the NLCS presented by LoanDepot between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in New York, New York. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

His first postseason start was a microcosm of his regular season: bad. He allowed six earned runs in five innings against the San Diego Padres in what could have been his final game of the season.

But LA won that series in five games and the Dodgers named Buehler their starter for Game 3 of the NLCS.

Pitch count and innings aside, he didn't disappoint. In the second inning, he struck out Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded and managed to go four scoreless frames despite needing 90 pitches to do so.

Manager Dave Roberts is quite impressed with Buehler's turnaround given his performance throughout the season and even just last week.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) reacts after an out against the New York Mets in the second inning in Game Three of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

Dodgers' Dave Roberts still enjoys 'beating the team all over town'

“He had to reinvent himself, so to speak, and I say that in addition. “Obviously this year it was very difficult to bounce back from really major surgery,” Roberts said after Game 3 of the NLCS against the New York Mets. which the Dodgers won 8-0.

“The other part of it is that it's easy to ride when the wind is at your back… but when there's adversity you lose confidence to then restart, come back and still persevere. That's something for me that I don't do.” I think he ever had to do that. If you look at June or July, I don’t think anyone could have seen him in that position now, so that’s a credit to Walker.”

Walker himself was shy about saying he felt added pressure after that poor start against the Padres – “Pressure is a privilege,” he said.

“I don’t think pressure is the right word. It's so overused…I've done this many times. These games definitely excite me, they don't overwhelm me like they used to when I was younger,” he added.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning in Game Three of the 2024 MLB Playoffs NLCS at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

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Buehler is now ready to pitch a possible Game 7, and while he'd love to go longer than four innings, he's certainly feeling a lot better right now than he did after his last outing.

Plus, Roberts will certainly have no problem putting his name on the lineup card if he needs it in a few days.

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