You heard the news – the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their seventh straight NL West title on Tuesday night in Baltimore. Furthermore, another historic feat was accomplished by a Dodgers’ player.
Indeed, Walker Buehler is the player this time around. While Buehler improved to 13-3 on the season with the win, so much more took place. The young phenom went 7 innings and allowed just 4 hits. Moreover, he struck out 11 Orioles and walked no one.
Therefore, that history part we were talking about. This is via the great account Stats by STATS on twitter:
Tonight is the 5th time this season Walker Buehler of the @Dodgers has had double-digit strikeouts and no walks.
That’s the most such games by any MLB pitcher 25 or younger in a season in the live-ball era (since 1920), surpassing the 4 by Matt Harvey in 2013.#LABleedsBlue
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) September 11, 2019
Within the clinching game, Buehler had double-digit strikeouts and no walks. If it seems like that has been a trend when Buehler has been ‘on’, you’re not mistaken. Furthermore, that was the fifth time he’s done that this season in a start. Stay with me here, because that is the first time an MLB pitcher 25 or younger has done that in a regular season since 1920. Buehler surpassed Matt Harvey who accomplished this in 2013.
Finally, if you remember back to game 163 of 2018 when Buehler was dominant in another clinch; the guy is building a pretty good reputation as a big game hunter at a young age.
Obviously, with health and continued hard work; Buehler is going to go on to accomplish amazing things in the game of baseball. This feat, combined with all of the other great things we will see Buehler do; should all be remembered.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a very special young pitcher in Walker Buehler, and we should appreciate him at every chance we get to do so. Now, he’s a member of the history books and a 2019 NL West Champion; all in a night’s work.
