Dodgers' Faith in Walker Buehler to Start NLDS Game 1 Was a Stroke of Genius

The Los Angeles Dodgers spent their Tuesday night scouting their potential opponent in the NL Wild Card Game, which turned out to be the Washington Nationals. Then, a question emerged: who would get the start for the defending NL champs in Game 1 of the Division Series? Hyun-Jin Ryu? Clayton Kershaw?

Nope.

Manager Dave Roberts chose young right-hander Walker Buehler for the start on Thursday night. And despite what any number of critics had to say before the game, it turned out to be the smartest call imaginable.

The Dodgers defeated the Nationals by the score of 6-0, and that had a whole lot to do with the masterful performance from Buehler. In six innings of work, the 25-year-old struck out eight batters while allowing just one single hit to a batting lineup consisting of NL MVP candidate Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, and Trea Turner.

To make Roberts look that much more like a genius, Buehler now has the second-most strikeouts by any Dodgers pitcher in history through his first first five postseason starts. Buehler's 37 trails only to the legendary Sandy Koufax, who recorded 39 in the same span.

Wow.

Roberts could have gone with Ryu, a top contender to win the NL Cy Young award, but opted against it. Kershaw's case of the postseason yips essentially ruled him out for Game 1, but his iconic status could have earned him the benefit of the doubt.

Even so, Buehler delivered with a nasty array of fastballs, cutters, and curveballs that made the Nats' batting order look foolish throughout.

The LA Dodgers have shown throughout the season that they have an embarrassment of riches. Buehler is the latest case of that, as he gave the Dodgers the 1-0 NLDS series lead and made Dave Roberts gamble pay off in big, big way.