The Philadelphia Phillies’ Walker Buehler signing was about one thing: the postseason.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Phillies were finalizing a deal with Buehler, two days after he was released by the Boston Red Sox. The two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion certainly hasn’t pitched up to his accolades this season, however.
After putting up a 5.45 ERA in 112 1/3 innings as a Red Sox, Buehler was dumped by a team hoping to make a playoff run of its own. So although the right-hander has had a legendary postseason career to this point, the Phillies have work to do to get him where he needs to be by October.
On Sunday, they unveiled that plan, and with only a month to go in the regular season, it’s one that has to take effect quickly.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that Buehler will begin in Triple-A, making one start before joining the rotation at the major league level. The 31-year-old’s first start with the Phillies is slated for Sept. 12 against the Kansas City Royals.
“He’s (Buehler) happy with the plan,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said, per Gelb. “We’re happy with the plan.
“And we’re very excited to have him because we think he makes us better and puts us in a position where we’re trying to do anything we can to qualify for the postseason and then, if we can make it, to do everything we can to win.”
Buehler owns a 3.04 career ERA in the playoffs, including a 0.47 mark in the World Series in three tries. He got the final out of the Fall Classic last year, and the Phillies’ hope is that he can do something similar this year.
With the Red Sox, however, things were ugly. Buehler set a new career-high in walks with 55 in barely half the innings of his old mark. His numbers were similar in the regular season last year, but he bounced back in October then.
Whether he holds onto his rotation spot by the opening round of the playoffs or moves to the bullpen is a storyline to watch. But the Phillies, who lost ace Zack Wheeler for the season in August, will take any contributions they can get.
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