Walker Buehler Downplays Rivalry With Dodgers After Joining Padres

Veteran right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler made his debut for the Padres this week against the San Francisco Giants, and things didn't go exactly as planned. Buehler lasted just four innings, allowing three runs, five hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

It wasn't the prettiest outing for the right-hander as he looks to get his career back on track. Just a few years ago, Buehler was one of the more dominant arms in the game, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With Los Angeles, he helped the team win two World Series titles, even closing out the 2024 Fall Classic out of the bullpen. So when he signed with the Padres this offseason, it came as a surprise to some fans.

However, Buehler isn't thinking about the rivalry that the Padres and Dodgers have held over the last couple of seasons. In fact, the right-hander downplayed the entire thing, pushing the narrative more as a fan concept, rather than from the players.

“Rivalries are a thing and we feel them on the field,” Buehler said. “But largely rivalries are for fanbases.”

Over the last six years, the Dodgers and Padres have seen each other three times in the postseason. This has added to the rivalry between the two teams, and it has fueled some fun matchups between the groups.

Los Angeles has gotten the better of San Diego in the series two out of the three times that they have met, including as recently as 2024. The Dodgers are currently the reigning back-to-back World Series champions, and Buehler understands that it will take a lot to beat them this year.

But he believes in the group that San Diego has put together this year. Buehler is looking forward to the challenge of facing the Dodgers, while acknowledging their greatness on the field.

“They’re the defending champs,” Buehler said. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of confidence… hopefully we make a run at it.”

The right-hander knows all too well just how strong a force the Dodgers can be, but his confidence shows the type of player he is. However, Buehler will need to pitch much better than how his debut went if he wants to keep a spot on the roster.

Buehler made the Opening Day roster mainly due to injuries to other starting pitchers, and there is no guarantee he will stay with the team. But all he can do is put his best foot forward, hoping for better results than he's had in recent years.