Walker Buehler cemented his legacy with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season as he closed out Game 5 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.
But rather than build on that moment, Buehler and the Dodgers parted ways in the offseason when the right-hander signed a one-year, $21.05 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
With the Dodgers and Red Sox facing off in a three-game series, Buehler is set to pitch against his former team for the first time with his start in the finale on Sunday. He is looking forward to the opportunity to compete against his former teammates, via SportsNet LA:
“It’ll be interesting. I was kind of one of the last of the wave coming up there, so I kind of got little bits and pieces of it, playing against Joc, Belli and Corey. So it’ll be nine of those for me, I guess, but it should be fun. Kersh and I were joking yesterday we should’ve tried to line each other up. It’ll be a fun weekend.”
Because of their long relationship, the Dodgers have a high level of familiarity with Buehler. But Buehler isn’t planning on changing his preparation ahead of his start on Sunday:
“I think you just try and keep it as normal as you can. Obviously, it’ll be a little awkward or funny, or whatever. At the end of the day, we’re all playing a sport for paychecks and the goal is to go and get one over on them. I don’t think preparation-wise, anything is really different.”
Although Buehler spent his entire career with the Dodgers prior to this season, he does have some experience against some of L.A.’s more recent arrivals.
Freddie Freeman is 1-for-8 with a home run against Buehler in his career, Shohei Ohtani is 0-for-2, Teoscar Hernández is 0-for-3, Michael Conforto is 2-for-9 with a homer, Tommy Edman is 0-for-3, and Mookie Betts is 0-for-3.
Although Buehler showed flashes of his old self in October, this year has been more of the same struggles he showed in the 2024 regular season.
He has made 17 starts for the Red Sox in 2025, with a 5.72 ERA in 85 innings pitched. It hasn’t been all bad this season, but consistency has been his biggest issue. Buehler has made six quality starts this season, including three with only one earned run allowed. But he also has seven starts with four or more runs allowed.
Walker Buehler receives 2024 Dodgers World Series ring
Ahead of Friday’s series opener, Buehler was presented with his 2024 World Series ring and an MLB gold program jersey by Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and more former teammates.
Buehler followed in the footsteps of Jack Flaherty, Ryan Brasier, Brent Honeywell, Clayton McCullough, Daniel Hudson, Ryan Yarbrough, Joe Kelly and Miguel Vargas of receiving his 2024 Dodgers World Series ring after the fact due to no longer being with the team.
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!
