San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler is reportedly finding his rhythm as the postseason approaches, with manager Craig Stammen noting the right-hander appears motivated by the prospect of October baseball. Buehler has posted a 2.73 earned run average over five starts in August, marking an impressive recovery after a challenging beginning to his season with the Padres.
"I think he smells the postseason," Stammen told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "That’s one thing that’s part of his career is being a part of that every single year. So he smells that. He knows the team needs the quality starts. He also sees the other starters doing really well, and I think internally that motivates him. And he’s just been able to make a lot of really good pitches here lately."
Buehler's last postseason appearance was in 2024 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played a crucial role during their World Series championship run. Despite an ERA above 5.00 during that regular season and coming off Tommy John surgery, Buehler delivered key performances in the playoffs. He did not allow a run in the National League Championship Series and the World Series, even closing out Game 5 to secure the title against the Yankees.
Nearly two years later, Buehler could potentially face his former Dodgers teammates in the playoffs as a member of the Padres. The two teams are on a collision course that could see them meet as early as the wild-card round, depending on the Dodgers' final standings. If such a matchup occurs, Buehler would be aiming to help the Padres prevent the Dodgers from winning a third consecutive World Series title.