Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — In a candid postgame interview, Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler expressed frustration after taking the loss in a 10-4 defeat against the Chicago Cubs. From the first inning, Buehler struggled, surrendering three runs early, which he acknowledged set a difficult tone for the team.
“That screwed us from the jump,” Buehler said. “Obviously, three runs in the first can kind of suck the energy out of the building. The first inning has been a weird thing for me this year, and it’s a lot to ask the rest of our guys to dig me out of a hole every game.”
Buehler, who has been trying to regain form after undergoing Tommy John surgery, described the outing as a step backward. “Performance-wise, obviously a pretty big step backward from the past two [starts],” he noted, though he did take some positives from getting into the sixth inning with his pitch count in check before allowing two hits.
Cody Bellinger and Michael Busch, former Dodgers who now play for the Cubs, both homered off Buehler, with Buehler admitting that his pitches were elevated. “The 0-2 to Belly, we’re trying to let a ball go, and he clips it. He’s had a lot of home runs, but that’s not where I’m trying to go with the ball.”
Buehler was candid about the pressure of pitching for a postseason role but kept his focus on helping the team reach the playoffs. “At some point, I’m just trying to survive,” he said, emphasizing that his main priority is the team. “Whether I pitch in the playoffs or not, we need to make the playoffs and be in a good spot.”
With limited time left in the season, Buehler will need to show improvement to secure a postseason role.
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