Dave Roberts names Walker Buehler Game 3 starter and backs him with awesome comments

The Los Angeles Dodgers are leaving LA with the NLCS tied at 1-1 with the New York Mets. They mounted a bullpen game for Game 2 on Monday night; Ryan Braiser immediately gave up a home run to Francisco Lindor, and Landon Knack was completely dismantled after an intentional walk to Lindor and a grand slam for Mark Vientos. The Dodgers put up three runs on a Max Muncy homer and a Tommy Edman two-run single, but the top of the lineup went 2-for-15.

But it was a loss that Dave Roberts seemed comfortable taking. He sorta-kinda referred to Knack, Anthony Banda (who pitched one inning after Knack's two), Brent Honeywell (three innings), and Edgardo Henriquez (two) as innings-eaters and alluded to wanting to save his best relievers for games further into the series. Interesting, but okay.

In Game 3, the Dodgers will return to the rotation; during Game 2, it was confirmed that Walker Buehler will get the ball during the Dodgers' first game at Citi Field.

We all remember how Buehler's appearance in Game 3 of the NLDS went, and the Dodgers will be hoping that the defensive disaster the occurred behind him isn't repeated.

Dodgers officially name Walker Buehler as their NLCS Game 3 starter

Buehler went five innings against the Padres during Game 3 of the NLDS, but the second inning was a failure of epic proportions on all fronts, with chances at two double plays that both fell short and a Fernando Tatis Jr. two-run homer to put San Diego up by five runs almost immediately. The defense (Miguel Rojas, specifically) just didn't have his back, but he was still saddled with six earned runs and a 10.80 ERA in his first appearance.

But the Dodgers are still putting their faith in Buehler. Dave Roberts said of his last outing, "We didn’t play good defense behind him, but I was very pleased to see him come out of that knowing that he was throwing the baseball really well. He kept us in the game. Gave us three huge innings."

Max Muncy also gave a ringing endorsement: "I don’t care what Walker’s numbers are — I will always bet on that guy in these types of situations. He’s the guy you want on the mound in a big situation. You just know that his heartbeat, when he gets out there, is not going to waver at all. I’ve seen him in multiple big games for us, and every time, he delivers."

Let's hope both of them are right. Even if Roberts was fine taking a Game 2 loss lying down, that's not something you want turning into a trend.