Buehler's Return Raises Questions as Dodgers Fall to Brewers in Frustrating Outing

Walker Buehler’s long-anticipated return to the Los Angeles Dodgers came with a mix of hope and frustration on Wednesday night at American Family Field in Milwaukee. After spending nearly two months recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, Buehler made his presence felt on the mound, albeit not in the way the Dodgers had envisioned. Despite visible adjustments in his delivery, the underlying issues that have plagued him throughout his career resurfaced, leading to an all-too-familiar outcome for the struggling ace. The Dodgers had high expectations as Buehler took the mound with a three-run lead, but the night unraveled quickly. By the time he faced his second batter, his frustration was evident, marked by a stream of expletives as he struggled to find his rhythm. The inning turned chaotic as Buehler walked the bases loaded without recording an out, a scenario that would set the tone for the rest of his outing. In the end, the Dodgers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4, snapping a five-game winning streak and raising further questions about Buehler’s command and consistency. Manager Dave Roberts commented on Buehler’s performance, stating, “He was out of sync tonight.” Indeed, the right-hander’s struggles with command have been a recurring theme. In his latest outing, he walked four of the 18 batters he faced, juggling multiple three-ball counts and displaying an uncomfortable disarray in his mechanics. Buehler acknowledged his difficulties, explaining, “Just too many misfires… too many little different things are going wrong in the delivery that I'm not controlling it the way I want to.” Despite a comprehensive rehabilitation period, Buehler’s inconsistency raises concerns for the Dodgers as the postseason approaches. With a 5.84 ERA over eight starts prior to his latest injury stint, he was clearly still searching for his form. He spent his time on the injured list attempting to recalibrate his approach, yet the fundamental issues remained evident during his return. “I keep trying this and that and this and that and I haven't found kind of what sticks,” he admitted. The Dodgers are faced with a challenging decision moving forward. While Buehler’s pedigree and talent are undeniable, the team requires production, especially as they aim for success in October. Roberts hinted at the uncertainty surrounding Buehler’s future outings: “I think that with the track record, he certainly deserves a longer runway. But what that means… is that three starts? Is it four or five starts? I just don’t know right now.” Buehler’s performance against the Brewers was a mixed bag — allowing four runs (just one earned) while only completing two innings and throwing 87 pitches. Defensive lapses, including an error from Mookie Betts, compounded the pressure on Buehler, with the Dodgers’ defense failing to support their struggling starter. As the Dodgers look to solidify their playoff position — with their lead in the division shrinking to just two and a half games amidst competition from the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks — the urgency for Buehler to find his rhythm increases. “At the end of the day, there's a standard of performing here," Buehler acknowledged, underscoring the weight of expectations that come with donning a Dodgers uniform. With time running short in the season, the Dodgers need Buehler to transform his potential into performance. For now, both he and the team remain in a precarious position, hoping that the adjustments he’s made can translate into the successful outings they desperately need. As Buehler noted, the stakes are high every time he steps on the mound, and with the postseason looming, the pressure to deliver only intensifies.