Now in the upper third of the DodgerBlue.com rankings of the best Los Angeles Dodgers plays of the 2020 postseason, next on the list is Walker Buehler helping the team stave off elimination against the Atlanta Braves in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.
After sweeping the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series, the Dodgers went into their matchup against the Braves figuring to face a formidable challenge but still a favorite to reach the Fall Classic a third time in the past four years.
That was in serious danger as the Braves took a 2-0 series lead, then went up 3-1 on the Dodgers. Buehler got the ball in Game 6 and like he so often has, turned in a dominant outing.
Buehler continued to distance himself from trouble with blisters and had six strikeouts while holding the Braves scoreless over six innings despite allowing seven hits. Provided with an early lead, Buehler faced a world of trouble when Atlanta loaded the bases with nobody out in the second inning.
He escaped the jam on a pair of strikeouts and a pop-out, and after the Dodgers’ win credited Austin Barnes for guiding him through the inning. Buehler also said he felt a strange sense of serenity in the pressure-packed moment.
“To be honest with you, it sounds very odd, but I’ve never felt that calm in a baseball game in my career,” he explained. “I’ve been through it and I’ve been good after it. That failure doesn’t really scare me anymore.
“Obviously you don’t want to fail, but there’s a different feeling when you’re not scared of that failure.”
Best Dodgers moments of 2020 postseason
No. 4: Mookie Betts makes trio of highlight-reel catches
No. 5: Corey Seager’s MVP postseason
No. 6: Cody Bellinger hits game-winning home run in Game 7 of NLCS
No. 7: Kiké Hernandez hits game-tying home run in Game 7 of NLCS
No. 8: Julio Urias closes out World Series
No. 9: Clayton Kershaw throws out Manuel Margot trying to steal home
No. 10: 11-run first inning in Game 3 of NLCS
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