Overview
- Buehler beat his former team on Friday by holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to three hits into the sixth inning in a 7-1 Padres win at Petco Park.
- He has reversed an early-season slump, shifting from a 6.75 ERA through his first seven starts to strong recent numbers that include a 2.76 ERA and 36 strikeouts over his last eight starts and an exceptional June stretch.
- Buehler credits specific pitch changes for the turnaround, noting a better changeup, more sinkers, less cutter use, and tweaks to his slider that have improved command on both sides of the plate.
- The Padres are deliberately limiting him to roughly five-to-six innings per outing and relying on a deep bullpen to finish games to protect his arm after multiple past surgeries.
- A former two-time World Series winner with the Dodgers who recorded the final out in 2024, Buehler signed a reported $1.5 million minor-league deal with San Diego and is rebuilding his value through this managed, effective stretch.