Dodgers’ Walker Buehler believes one variable will dictate Game 3
Walker Buehler is rooting for a cold night at Yankee Stadium.
The Dodgers right-hander has largely struggled this season but was effective in a short start against the Mets in Game 3 of the NLCS, and the weather might have played a part.
“I think the weather and the stadium has something to do with it,” Buehler said Sunday, referring to the movement on his pitches. “I said before that game [at Citi Field], I like pitching in the cold, so I am hoping it gets down there a little bit [Monday].”
Walker Buehler speaks to the media on Oct. 27, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
He will get the ball in Game 3 of the World Series, with the Dodgers up 2-0.
It will be his first time pitching at Yankee Stadium.
Buehler pitched four scoreless innings against the Mets in his last start, departing after 90 pitches.
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The Dodgers, who rely heavily on a deep bullpen, will certainly take a similar outing from Buehler against the Yankees.
In 16 starts during the regular season, Buehler pitched to a 5.38 ERA. He followed that with a clunker against the Padres in Game 3 of the NLDS, in which he allowed six earned runs over five innings.
This stage is nothing new to Buehler, who pitched for the Dodgers in the 2018 and ’20 World Series. In his two starts, he pitched to a 0.69 ERA.
“I’ve never thrown any game other than Game 3 in the World Series, so I am kind of familiar that way a little bit,” Buehler said.
He’s got a tough act to follow. Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed only one run on one hit over 6 ¹/₃ innings for the Dodgers in Game 2. A night earlier Jack Flaherty allowed two earned runs over 5 ¹/₃ innings.
Buehler said he watched Flaherty and Yamamoto for clues on how to attack this Yankees lineup.
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) throws in the second inning of Game 3 of the NLCS against the New York Mets at Citi Field Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“All three of us being right-handed certainly helps,” Buehler said. “At the end of the day, it’s kind of weaving what we do well against what they don’t do so well. I think both those guys did a really good job of going to their strengths when they needed to.”
