Walker Buehler Faces Challenges Ahead of Crucial Matchup Against Padres

Walker Buehler, the 30-year-old right-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is entering the postseason with much to prove, following a turbulent season. Buehler, previously hailed as a postseason hero during the Dodgers’ 2020 championship run, has struggled since returning to the mound this year after missing the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John Surgery.

This season, Buehler has posted a 5.38 ERA over 16 outings, marking the worst performance of his career. Buehler’s postseason debut this year comes as the Dodgers face the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series (NLDS), with the series tied at 1-1. His return to form could be crucial as he takes the mound in San Diego, a location where Buehler has historically succeeded, maintaining a 1.80 ERA over 12 outings against the Padres.

Nevertheless, Buehler faces a formidable challenge in Padres’ star Fernando Tatis Jr., who has historically performed well against him. Tatis has achieved a .526 slugging percentage with 14 home runs against fastballs this season, and in 27 career plate appearances against Buehler, he has hit four home runs. This ties Tatis with Pete Alonso for the most home runs off Buehler in his career.

Compounding the challenge is Buehler’s vulnerability to home runs this season, having given up a total of 16 in just 75 1/3 innings. His struggles have partially been linked to a decline in the effectiveness of his four-seam fastball, which was one of the best in the league between 2018 and 2021 but has significantly dropped in performance this year. Despite maintaining velocity, the fastball’s Run Value has decreased dramatically.

Tatis’s prowess against fast pitches presents a notable threat to Buehler and the Dodgers as they seek to gain the upper hand in the series. The upcoming matchup promises to be a definitive test for Buehler, both in confronting his past struggles against Tatis and in proving his readiness to reclaim his position as a postseason stalwart for the Dodgers.