September 9, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21 years old) starts the game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images News that Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow might miss the season with a sprained pitching elbow will undoubtedly put additional pressure on Walker Buehler to return to contact in time for the postseason. .
Buehler will take the mound on Sunday night for the visiting Dodgers in Game 3 of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Glasnow's diagnosis before the Dodgers' 10-1 loss to the Braves on Saturday.
Glasnow signed with the Dodgers this offseason after spending six seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, during which he went 27-16 with a 3.20 ERA. Los Angeles (87-61) has high hopes for him to be a key part of their playoff rotation.
Now, it could be Buehler or veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw joining Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty and rookie Landon Knack.
Buehler (1-5, 5.95 ERA) is 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA in five starts since returning from eight weeks with a right hip injury.
“He understands that the opportunity to pitch in October isn't just for him,” Roberts said before Buehler's latest outing. “It's not about how you feel or this or that. It's about picking the best players to help us win in the playoffs. I look forward to him being one of them.”
Buehler allowed five runs and nine hits in five innings in last Monday's 10-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs before getting out and taking the loss.
Buehler admits it's a step back, but combined with the start of the past month, he feels like he's heading in the right direction.
“At the end of the day, I have to perform, and I've been saying that for a long time,” Buehler said. “I have to perform for myself, but more for our team. We're trying to finish here, whether I'm in the playoffs or not, or whatever, we need to be in the playoffs. “
Buehler is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA in four career starts against Atlanta.
The Braves (81-67) had won the first two games of the series and were tied with the red-hot New York Mets for the final wild-card spot in the National League.
The Mets are 12-3 since Aug. 29, and the Braves are 8-7 during that span.
The Braves plan to start veteran right-hander Charlie Morton on Sunday.
Morton (8-8, 4.11) is 2-1 in his past five starts with a 2.86 ERA.
His latest loss came last Monday after allowing one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings in a 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Morton said he doesn't feel pain when he does his part but the offense comes up empty, just like he doesn't feel blame when he pitches poorly and the team loses.
“If I don't shoot well, I don't feel like I'm being judged,” Morton said. “I feel like I have support. It makes it easier. It makes things easier to recover from.”
Morton made eight career starts against the Dodgers, with a 1-4 record and a 5.31 ERA.
On May 3, he faced them in Los Angeles and lost 4-3 in 11 rounds without a decision. He allowed two runs and five hits in six innings.
–Scene-level media
