Walker Buehler Learning ‘Chess Match’ Of Pitching With Reduced Stuff

Walker Buehler is through his first handful of starts in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation, displaying some expected bumps following his second Tommy John surgery.

In his four turns through the rotation, the 29-year-old is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 17 strikeouts over 19 innings pitched. Buehler has shown some bright spots, including a shutout performance against the Cincinnati Reds on May 18 at Dodger Stadium.

Buehler had to face the Reds on Saturday in Cincinnati, where he didn’t have as much success, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

“I kept telling them I was making a little bit of chicken salad out of chicken (expletive) for a second there,” Buehler said.

Buehler’s three earned runs on Saturday was the third time in four starts that he’s allowed as many runs. The Reds had a good game plan against the right-hander, jumping on his four-seam fastball in unfavorable counts:

“I made some pitches that I liked. I made a few pitches that I really didn’t like,” Buehler said. “Both the homer at 1-0 and 2-0, it’s kind of what we dealt with in San Diego – it’s count leverage for me. I don’t necessarily think I’m complacent. But in the past I think 1-0, 2-0 I could get away with throwing heaters, just really try and rip on them or whatever and blow it by people. That’s something we’ll look at and think through if we need to throw wrinkles in those counts.

“Given that, I think you’ve got to figure out this chess match. My last start, I feel like the chess pieces kind of worked the way they should. Tonight, a couple of them I just didn’t get in good spots and they put two good swings on balls. Then in the sixth, those two guys obviously did what they’re supposed to do.”

Buehler is expected to take some time to get himself in a proper rhythm, and the Dodgers are in a place where their starting rotation could be best served on a six-man basis.

His pitch count is in a good spot, but the command and refinement of his pitch mix is what should be a work in progress.

Walker Buehler experimenting with shift on pitching rubber

Buehler explained that getting more comfortable with in game rhythm helps, but physical adjustments helped him find success.

“We moved me on the rubber a little bit, where I used to stand, I could only do when I was young,” Buehler said. “That’s kind of a tough pill for me to swallow, but I moved on the rubber and a lot of things kind of clicked into place.

“The velo wasn’t as good as it has been, not that it was intentional, but I think I was trying to really command it and that’s kind of what happens. But I think there’s enough velo in there to still be pretty good. It just felt like it finally worked.”