Walker Buehler, the Boston Red Sox pitcher, displayed clear progress in his performance during Saturday’s win against the Washington Nationals. Despite entering Nationals Park with a 6.45 ERA, Buehler limited the Nationals to three runs, only two of which were earned, over five-plus innings, contributing significantly to the team’s decisive victory. A major highlight of his outing was that he did not allow any walks, marking a personal milestone.
Pitching Confidence Gains Through Better Execution
After the game, Buehler reflected on his improved pitching, emphasizing the importance of confidence in his craft.
“I keep saying I’m closer, I’m closer, I’m closer, and today I think there was genuinely some difference that gave me [confidence]. Confidence is a big thing in this game. The way I was moving and able to get through the first and feel like I knew what the ball was going to do is huge,”
he shared, highlighting how understanding his pitches helped him navigate the innings more effectively.
Support From Catcher Highlights Trust in Buehler’s Arsenal
Catcher Carlos Narváez praised Buehler’s improvement, noting that the pitcher sometimes aims too much for perfection, especially when throwing at the edges of the strike zone. Narváez remarked,
“Way better … That’s big for us. … Sometimes I think he wants to execute too perfect at the top of the zone and in the corners. The reality is, he’s got too many weapons. It’s not only fastball/[breaking ball], like other pitchers. So anytime we’re going to use the fastball in the zone, be confident in the zone. If they clip it, they clip it. But we don’t need to run away from the fastball. It’s a good pitch.”
This feedback reinforces the importance of Buehler trusting his pitches to continue effective outings.
Maintaining Momentum Amidst Team Competition
With additional pitching options expected to join or return to the Red Sox rotation soon, Buehler’s position is not guaranteed. His latest performance, viewed as the best start he has had in weeks, sets a hopeful tone that he can build on. Sustaining these pitching improvements will be critical for the veteran to secure his status within the team’s rotation moving forward.