Walker Buehler makes Mets players look like absolute clowns with nasty pitch mix

When Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named Walker Buehler his Game 3 starter, there's a reason he was confident. Despite all of Buehler's troubles dating back to the end of 2021, he's been a postseason stalwart for LA.

He's just needed to get back into the groove after everything went downhill for a moment during that 2021 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves (thanks, Max Scherzer).

Though Buehler took a loss in Game 3 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, he managed to give the Dodgers length in that outing, which preserved the bullpen for the remainder of the series. He battled and got back on the postseason saddle.

He might be laboring against the New York Mets on Wednesday night (currently at 73 pitches through three innings), but Buehler brought the big-game mentality and has gotten out of a number of tough situations in the early going.

In the process, he's made a number of Mets look like fools, including Francisco Alvarez and Francisco Lindor, both of whom he struck out with the bases loaded in the second inning.

Dodgers starter Walker Buehler showing up Mets in NLCS Game 3

Alvarez's bat flew out of his hands as he took a hack (and completely whiffed) at Buehler's knuckle curve. Then he struck out looking.

Lindor came up with the bases juiced and two outs, but Buehler also got him with the knuckle curve. The Mets star swung over it and nearly dislocated his shoulder. Buehler let out a scream and appeared to have mouthed some trash talk in the direction of the Mets' dugout. Let's go.

There's still a long way to go in this one, but the Dodgers lead 2-0 on a Will Smith RBI infield single and a Tommy Edman sacrifice fly. Buehler has allowed three hits and two walks over three innings. He's struck out five and hasn't allowed a run.

The offense backed him by making Luis Severino throw 79 pitches through four, so if Buehler can put up a couple efficient innings the Dodgers might be able to cruise to a win and put the Mets on the ropes at home.