Walker Buehler is finding his groove with Padres after rough 2025 season

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Walker Buehler. David Frerker-Imagn Images

Walker Buehler is finding his groove with Padres after rough 2025 season

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jun 20, 2026 9:35 PM ET

You can argue that San Diego Padres starter Walker Buehler has been the most consistent in the rotation as of late. Following one of the worst campaigns of his career in 2025, he has settled in nicely, finding his groove with the Padres.

In his most recent performance, he lowered his ERA to 3.96 by recording seven strikeouts, 13 whiffs, and only allowing one run and five hits across 5.1 innings pitched in a 6-4 victory against the Texas Rangers in extra innings on June 20th.

In his last five starts, he has recorded a 2.05 ERA and 24 strikeouts, while only giving up one home run and five walks across 26.1 innings. As well, he has surged his stats in June by only allowing four earned runs across 21 innings pitched, which equates to a 1.71 ERA for the 31-year-old.

He has been locked in on the mound, proving his bounce-back dominance that has been accomplished through an improved walk rate. Last season, Buehler held a 10.8% walk rate, and this season he has lowered it significantly to 7.7%.

Walker Buehler in his last five starts:

26.1 IP
2.05 ERA
1 HR
24 K | 5 BB

He's quietly lowered his season ERA to 3.96 pic.twitter.com/sMXonaTaNa
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 20, 2026

Walker Buehler means business with the Padres in 2026

The veteran right-hander has been successful in transforming his career with the Padres. The former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher has a massive goal for the remainder of the season, and that is to bring a championship for the Padres.

His winning mentality is exactly what the Padres need, and despite offensive struggles like Buehler's, the team has also showcased resiliency. The Padres are tied for second in the NL West with the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 39-36 record.

In Buehler's start against the Baltimore Orioles on June 14, he not only picked up his fourth win on the season, but he also escaped a jam in the second inning by striking out Jeremiah Jackson. His strikeout rate (20.2%) is another aspect of his game that's vastly improved from his career-low 16.3% strikeout rate in 2025.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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