Dodgers' Walker Buehler looks like old self in NLCS Game 3

The Mets did make him labor, however, making him throw 90 pitches in those four innings. Buehler got in trouble in the second inning after loading the bases with only one out. 

The former All-Star settled in and struck out Francisco Alvarez and Francisco Lindor to escape the inning unscathed.

After going through the lineup twice, he handed the ball over to a well-rested bullpen. The Dodgers would end up winning in blowout fashion 8-0.  

It was Buehler's best start of the season, and manager Dave Roberts praised him for coming through after a rough year. 

"I think it’s been a lot of lessons that he had to learn, and appreciating, understanding the pitcher that he is today," Roberts said. "You look back at June or July, and I don’t think anyone could’ve seen him in this position right now, so it’s a credit to Walker."

It was a completely different performance than his last start against the San Diego Padres. In that start, he gave up six runs, although the team's defense is partially to blame, and he stuck out no batters. 

His pitches were a lot sharper against the Mets on Wednesday. According to Baseball Savant, his spin rate was up on all of his pitches except his curveball. 

Buehler's start continues his trend of being a dominant postseason pitcher. He has started 17 playoff games in his career, and even with his blow-up start against the Padres, he has a 3.25 ERA. If you took that start out, his ERA is 2.81.

He is honest about relishing the fact he is considered a big-game pitcher and was excited to pitch in the playoffs after missing the last two years due to injury.

"It's kind of the only thing I care about," Buehler said. "I want to try and go make a quality start and put our team in a position to win the game."

With how everything currently lined up, Buehler would be the starting pitcher for Game 7 if the series goes that far.