NEW YORK, NY – Walker Buehler’s regular season couldn’t have gone much worse after returning from Tommy John surgery, but he looked like his old self on Wednesday night.

The 30-year-old Buehler, once likely considered the ace of this Los Angeles Dodgers staff without Clayton Kershaw, pitched to a career-worst 5.38 ERA in 16 starts this year.

With other injuries to the Dodgers rotation, including Kerhsaw, Buehler was named the starter almost out of necessity.

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Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during Game 3 of the NLCS presented by loanDepot between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 in New York, New York. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

His first postseason start was a microcosm of his regular season: bad. He allowed six earned runs in five innings against the San Diego Padres in what could have been his final appearance of the season.

But LA won that series in five games, and the Dodgers named Buehler as their starter for Game 3 of the NLCS.

Aside from the number of pitches and innings, he did not disappoint. He struck out Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded in the second inning and was able to grind out four scoreless frames even though it cost him 90 pitches.

From where he has been this entire season, and even just last week, manager Dave Roberts is quite impressed with Buehler’s turnaround.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) reacts after an out against the New York Mets in the second inning during game three of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz-Imagn images)

DODGERS’ DAVE ROBERTS STILL ENJOYS ‘beating that team in town’

“He had to reinvent himself, and I say that in a complimentary way. Obviously this year was very difficult trying to come back from a really major surgery,” Roberts told the New York after Game 3 of the NLCS Mets, who beat the Dodgers 8-0.

“The other part is that it’s easy to ride when you have the wind at your back… but when there’s adversity you lose confidence, then reset, come back and still keep it going. That’s something for me that I don’t do. I don’t think anyone could have seen him in this position now, so that’s a credit to Walker.”

Walker himself shied away from saying he felt any added pressure after that dismal start against the Padres — “pressure is a privilege,” he said.

“I don’t think pressure is the right word. It’s used so much… I’ve had to do this a lot. These games definitely get me excited, they don’t overwhelm me like they used to when I was younger,” he added .

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning during game three of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz-Imagn images)

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Buehler is now in line to pitch a potential Game 7, and while he would like to go longer than four innings, he is certainly feeling a lot sweeter right now than he did after his last outing.

Plus, Roberts will certainly have no problem writing his name on that lineup card if the need arises in a few days.

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