Despite falling short of winning a ninth consecutive National League West title, the Los Angeles Dodgers still ended the regular season on a high note as they completed a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers with a 10-3 victory at Dodger Stadium.
Walker Buehler was fantastic in his final outing of the regular season, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings pitched with a season-high-tying 11 strikeouts.
It was the right-hander’s second consecutive promising start after struggling through much of September. “I think we looked at some mechanical things and all that, what you’re trying to do with your pitches and all this stuff,” Buehler explained.
“I think kind of unlocking some of that stuff and feeling better about the way I’m throwing the ball unleashes a different thing mentally where you feel a little bit more confident, feel a little bit more athletic and a little bigger out there.
“I don’t know if there’s a better way to say it, but I just feel better. Excited to see what happens the next couple of weeks if we’re fortunate enough to get there. I feel good with where I’m at, I feel good with our staff’s understanding of what I need to do to be ready.
“We’re doing a good job and I feel good.”
Buehler improved to 16-4 after Sunday’s win over the Brewers and finished the regular season with career-bests across the board, including wins, ERA (2.47), innings pitched (207.2) and starts (33).
Buehler also led the Dodgers with 6.7 WAR and figures to receive votes in the NL Cy Young Award race. “I think I checked a lot of boxes and goals that I’ve set out for myself for a long time,” he said. “Finally was able to achieve them and stay healthy.
“To make 33 starts is the biggest thing for me and I feel really proud about that. At the end of the day, this isn’t about the regular season. It’s about playing well enough to get to a spot.
“We’re in the spot now. It’s time for the playoffs and I know a lot of guys on this team enjoy that. We’re ready to go and we feel good.”
Buehler’s next potential start
With Max Scherzer taking the ball for the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Game, Buehler’s next potential start could come in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the San Francisco Giants.
However, that will only be possible if L.A. defeats the St. Louis Cardinals in the one-game playoff, which is set for Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
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