Buehler Struggles vs. Red Sox After World Series Win
- Walker Buehler's first appearance at Yankee Stadium as a member of the Boston Red Sox was one he'd rather forget.
- Buehler, visibly frustrated after the game, did not mince words regarding his performance.
- Buehler is using a different pitch mix this season, featuring his four-seam fastball less frequently enough and relying more on his slider.
Walker Buehler’s Struggles: Red Sox Pitching falters Against Yankees
Walker Buehler’s first appearance at Yankee Stadium as a member of the Boston Red Sox was one he’d rather forget. The Red Sox signed Buehler to a one-year, $21 million contract this offseason, hoping he would bolster their pitching rotation.However, the Yankees tagged Buehler for five runs in the first inning and two more in the second, leading to a short outing.
Buehler, visibly frustrated after the game, did not mince words regarding his performance. He acknowledged the organization’s faith in him and expressed disappointment in his inability to deliver. The Red Sox pitching staff has struggled in the first inning this season, a trend that continued with Buehler’s outing.
Buehler is using a different pitch mix this season, featuring his four-seam fastball less frequently enough and relying more on his slider. In Friday’s game, he threw 29 sliders and surrendered a three-run homer on a curveball to Jazz Chisholm Jr.
despite feeling physically sound after a previous injured list stint, Buehler’s results have been subpar. Opponents are hitting .326 against Red Sox starters in the first inning this season.
“This organization put a lot of faith in me this offseason and I’ve been (expletive) embarrassing for us,” Buehler said.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged the team’s frustration. He noted that Buehler feels good physically, making the poor results even more perplexing. Cora succinctly assessed the team’s current state as “not good.”
What’s next
The Red Sox will look to rebound in the remaining games against the Yankees, seeking improved performance from their starting pitching to gain ground in the division.The team needs Walker Buehler to find his form to justify the investment made in him this offseason and improve their chances of competing.