Walker Buehler changed his offseason throwing program to keep his arm more active leading into Spring Training, and that put him in much better position to complete a normal progression for a starting pitcher.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Buehler both touched on the benefit that came from the change throughout camp, though one area that remained a constant work in progress was his velocity. Buehler surmised it would get to its usual levels once the regular season began.
His first opportunity to demonstrate that came Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. Buehler allowed just two runs as he got through six innings, but only with four strikeouts. The hardest pitch he threw as a 96.5 mph fastball to Ryan McMahon in the second inning.
“I felt good. The velocity is not kind of where we want it, but adrenaline and all that will help,” Buehler said. “Overall pretty good. I kind of battled through it a little bit, I guess. Get back to work and keep going.”
While Buehler’s velocity on the night was increased from Spring Training, it remained a tick below last season’s and career averages. Roberts nevertheless was pleased with the outing from his right-hander.
“I just thought his fastball had really good command and life. He was in control, I thought his slider was good, his cut fastball was good,” Roberts said. “The two-out double that they scored from first base and the 0-2 breaking ball to Tapia that just didn’t get to the dirt, but honestly I thought he threw a heck of a ballgame.”
Buehler enjoyed Coors Field environment
The Dodgers have played in front of more than 20,000 fans in each of the first three games thus far, which is a drastic difference from last season. “The noise isn’t something that I really pay a whole lot of attention to,” Buehler said.
“You kind of hear it in the background, I guess, but it felt pretty normal I would say. Obviously anything is better than zero. I thought 11,000 in Texas was a lot. We’re enjoying it. It’s good to see people out.”
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