{"id":98785,"date":"2025-04-05T18:35:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T22:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=98785"},"modified":"2025-04-05T18:35:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T22:35:24","slug":"walker-buehler-struggling-early-red-sox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/04\/05\/walker-buehler-struggling-early-red-sox\/","title":{"rendered":"Walker Buehler Struggles in First Two Starts with Red Sox"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the way Walker Buehler<\/a> finished the 2024 World Series, it\u2019s no wonder the Boston Red Sox wanted him on their team. But his slow start in 2025 and lack of regular-season consistency the past few years could be cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Walker Buehler Struggling Early in Red Sox Tenure<\/h2>\n

Buehler\u2019s Playoff Audition<\/h3>\n

Working in relief, the two-time All-Star completed the Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 improbable Game 5 comeback against the New York Yankees. And that impressive performance came one day after<\/a> he shut down the potent lineup over five scoreless innings.<\/p>\n

Now a confirmed Yankee killer, Boston signed Buehler<\/a> to a one-year, $21.05 million contract in December. It\u2019s a somewhat expensive rental, particularly for an injury-prone pitcher. But the short-term deal is also low-risk and high on incentive for Buehler to earn a multi-year contract.<\/p>\n

Still, the 30-year-old pitcher hasn\u2019t been great since the first half of 2022. Following his second Tommy John surgery<\/a>, Buehler didn\u2019t pitch in 2023. And in the back half of 2024, he posted a paltry 1-6 record with a 5.38 ERA over 16 starts.<\/p>\n

Regular Season Woes Continue<\/h3>\n

In spring training, Buehler pitched well. Over three starts, he went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 11 strikeouts. But he\u2019s struggled mightily thus far in the regular season.<\/p>\n

Through his first two starts, Buehler has logged 9 1\/3 innings and posted a horrendous 8.68 ERA, 1.607 WHIP, and 7:1 K:BB ratio. Thanks to a sizzling Red Sox lineup that staked him to a 5-0 lead, he did just enough to earn his first victory on Friday. But that advantage was cut to one run by the time he exited after five innings.<\/p>\n

The rough start is unusual for Buehler, at least when he\u2019s started a season healthy. In 2022, he jumped out to a dominant 6-1 record with a solid 2.91 ERA before elbow soreness cut his year short. And in his career-best 2021, he went 11-1 through July and finished 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA.<\/p>\n

Motivated To Improve<\/h3>\n
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Walker Buehler speaks following his start \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f\u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

“Frustrating, kind of, to say the least… I’m not gonna keep hanging my hat on the fact that I’ve showed up in October, I want to show up in April, May, June, July, and August.”#RedSox<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FC5g8RkFGI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NESN (@NESN) April 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n