Walker Buehler stated his intention to "kick everyone's a--" after a dominant performance for the San Diego Padres in their 7-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. This marked Buehler's first win against his former team since joining the Padres.
"My last pitch there was the last out of the [2024] World Series. I don’t really know how else I would’ve rather gone out any better than that," Buehler told reporters after the game. "I want to kick everyone’s a–. I want to beat everyone, especially in the division. And especially against a team that has been so successful against the organization that I am with now."
The outing was a significant improvement from Buehler's previous appearance against the Dodgers as a member of the Boston Red Sox, where he allowed three runs in 4 ⅔ innings. On Friday, Buehler pitched five-plus innings, striking out five batters and allowing only one run on three hits and three walks.
Buehler acknowledged the emotional weight of his first start against his former team in Boston, describing it as "bigger, emotional, load." However, he emphasized the importance of securing a win in his new uniform at home.
"It’s a team in our division; I’m gonna have to pitch against them. It’s good to get the first win in this uniform, at home, and we’ll see what kind of happens on the road. I haven’t thrown at Dodger Stadium yet, which will be a different thing," he said.
Buehler also revealed a shift in his pitching philosophy since joining the Padres. He is now prioritizing efficiency, aiming for five to six clean innings to preserve the bullpen rather than focusing on high pitch counts.
This strategic adjustment appears to be yielding positive results. Over his last eight starts, Buehler has posted a 2.76 earned run average, positioning him as one of Major League Baseball's more effective pitchers. He has been altering his pitch selection, relying more on his sinker and less on his cutter.
The Padres and Dodgers are set to continue their three-game series on Saturday night. Buehler's next scheduled start is anticipated to be against the Dodgers on July 2 at Dodger Stadium.