Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — Walker Buehler’s year is getting better and better. In recognition of that fact, the National League has named Buehler the NL’s pitcher of the month for July. It was a pretty easy decision for the league to make; Buehler went 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 38 strikeouts and nine walks in 32 1/3 innings. He didn’t allow a homer and held opponents to a .470 OPS.
This marks the fourth consecutive month that the Dodgers’ ace has seen his ERA go down. In April, notoriously slow-starting Buehler had and ERA of 3.16. Very respectable, but not amazing. In May, it dropped nearly a full point to 2.18. His total in June was 1.85, and now 1.67 in July. In the entire month, Buehler gave up only six earned runs over five starts, and pitched deep into every game, with his shortest start being a 5.0 inning clunker against Miami on July 5. Other than that, Walker gave up three earned run in 27 1/3 innings, which is more or less a 1.00 ERA.
Also impressive in July were Buehler’s WHIP and average against. His July WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) was 0.90, and his average against on the month was a paltry .177. Clearly Buehler is hitting on all cylinders as he moves into his first start of August against the Astros* on Tuesday.
Can’t wait until the pitching rotation of Buehler, Kershaw, Scherzer, Urias is finally up and running. It will be nearly unstoppable.
Trevor who?
And Julio Urias, what does he have to do to be recognized?