Two nights after turning in what has become a patented postseason performance, Walker Buehler helped the Los Angeles Dodgers capture their eighth World Series title in franchise history by closing out the New York Yankees in the ninth inning.
It was an all-hands-on-deck approach for the Dodgers pitching staff after Jack Flaherty struggled in his start. He became the first starting pitcher to allow at least four runs and two homers while completing less than two innings in a World Series outing.
That forced the Dodgers to rely on Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier, Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen to cover most of the innings, just one day after a planned bullpen game.
Treinen provided 2.1 scoreless innings on a season-high 42 pitches to keep the Dodgers’ comeback chances alive. Then in the ninth, Buehler emerged out of the bullpen on one day of rest for the final three outs.
“That happened within the game,” manager Dave Roberts answered when asked if the team went into Game 5 with a plan to have Buehler pitch.
“Seventh inning, he just said that he’s going to be available. I didn’t see that even coming into play, but obviously as the game sort of played on, we had to keep the game close. Our guys were fighting, so I just felt that at that point in time, I was going to be all in.”
Roberts noted that Buehler was only going to be available for one inning, which further emphasized the importance of Treinen’s contributions.
“That’s why it was huge that Blake could get Stanton and then punch out Rizzo right there. So that was just our last bullet in the sense of with the lead,” Roberts said.
Although the relief appearance was a far break from tradition for Buehler, Roberts and the Dodgers didn’t doubt his potential to handle the brief role change.
“I just think the experience, the pedigree,” Roberts said when asked what made him comfortable bringing in Buehler.
“We were all in at that point in time, and he wanted the baseball. I just felt that he wasn’t going to run from the moment. I just felt he was the best option.”
Andrew Friedman: Walker Buehler ‘built different’
Buehler’s save capped off a remarkable postseason run that saw him throw 10 consecutive scoreless innings against the Yankees and New York Mets.
“He’s built different,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “For him to do what he did, I can’t say enough. What Blake Treinen did, and Walker Buehler, a lot is going to be written about it. But not enough. What they did out there was incredible.
“Earlier in the day, Walker said, ‘Hey, if things get wonky, I’ll be available in the ‘pen.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, Walker. Things won’t get wonky, but thanks for the offer.’ And then I saw him in the sixth inning and he was like, ‘This is the definition of wonky, right?’ Yup. He strapped up and went out there.
“The way he competes is something we can only hope in future Drafts, to get guys who compete half as well as he does.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
