Steve Webb
Walker Buehler is set to take the mound in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they face the New York Mets in what promises to be an intense showdown at Citi Field on Wednesday night. Despite the challenges he’s faced this season, Buehler is approaching this start with confidence, eager to embrace the high-stakes atmosphere of postseason baseball.
When asked about the Mets’ performance in the first two games of the series, Buehler praised teammate Jack Flaherty‘s Game 1 pitching, which provided “the blueprint” for how to approach the Mets’ lineup. He acknowledged that Game 2 was a different story, as the Dodgers relied on a combination of pitchers to get through the game. Nevertheless, Buehler emphasized that his approach to Game 3 wouldn’t be significantly altered. “It doesn’t change a whole lot for me,” he said, indicating his focus remains on executing his game plan.
Reflecting on his journey through the regular season and into October, Buehler admitted that confidence had not always come easily this year. “Hard to say yes to that question, you know, coming off six earned runs,” he remarked when asked if he felt he was at a different level now. “But I feel good. I feel confident.” He explained that at times during the season, his confidence had wavered due to inconsistent results and lingering health issues, including a hip problem. “The health was kind of part of it, and my hip didn’t help,” he acknowledged.
Buehler shared that a turning point came when he took a brief break and later threw a pivotal bullpen session in St. Louis. “I threw a bullpen in St. Louis that kind of started getting everything really rolling,” he said, crediting pitching coaches Mark Prior and Connor McGuiness, along with Flaherty, for helping him get back on track. “Not that I’ve been setting the world on fire since, but at least my body feels like it’s in the right position a lot of the time and I kind of have an idea where the ball is heading.”
Facing the prospect of a cold New York evening, Buehler appeared unfazed by the weather conditions expected for the game, with temperatures potentially dipping into the 50s. “I love pitching in the cold, personally,” he shared, recounting how he grew accustomed to chilly weather during his college days. “The cold is something that I’ve always kind of liked.”
Buehler acknowledged the unique atmosphere that New York City brings to the NLCS. “Every playoff game is huge,” he said. “The East Coast-West Coast, LA-New York thing is pretty cool, and I imagine it’s going to be rocking here tomorrow.” The electric environment, he explained, adds to the thrill of postseason baseball, where “that kind of live-or-die feeling on every pitch” is something he’s grown to appreciate.
Despite the noise and the challenges of a deep Mets lineup, Buehler isn’t letting the spotlight distract him. When asked about handling key hitters, such as Francisco Lindor, Buehler made it clear that he is focused on each out, one at a time. “The first out of the game’s a big out, and every out after that is equally as important,” he explained. “We’ll do our best to make sure we score first.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed trust in Buehler’s ability to deliver in big games, especially on the road. Buehler finds that trust to be a meaningful validation of his role. “For me, the most important thing about being a teammate or a starting pitcher is that your team trusts you in tough spots,” he said, describing it as both “humbling” and a “really big compliment.”
As he prepares for this crucial Game 3 start, Buehler is determined to deliver a performance that keeps the Dodgers’ momentum alive in the series. Whether it’s battling through a challenging inning or thriving in a rowdy atmosphere, Buehler is ready to embrace the moment on the big stage.
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