Sometimes it feels like beating the dead horse isn't enough. As a fan, it's hard to watch a player that you've watched and loved completely fall apart and become a shell of what they used to be. Walker Buehler is that player, sadly.
The Boston Red Sox need to make changes within the back end of their starting rotation. Having Richard Fitts in there for a stretch didn't work out, so they sent him back down to Triple-A Worcester. Sean Newcomb didn't work out this year either, so they designated him for assignment. Buehler hasn't worked out, but he's still here.
Red Sox RHP Walker Buehler Must Save Job Before Playoff Roster Deadline
The Red Sox believe in Buehler for one thing: His postseason experience. He's an outstanding pitcher in the playoffs, regardless of his performance in the regular season. Last year proved as such, with him striking out Alex Verdugo to win the Los Angeles Dodgers their second World Series Championship of the decade.
The Red Sox had signed him to a one-year, $21 million deal, and the amount of money had foretold why they signed him in the first place. It was simply because if he can perform, he's a top pitcher in baseball and a Cy Young contender along with Crochet. That was the best-case scenario for them. Unfortunately, the Red Sox haven't gotten that at all.
This season, he's posted a 5.43 ERA with only 78 strikeouts and 50 walks in his 21 starts (106.0 innings). Buehler has tried everything to make himself a better pitcher, and he plays with incredible passion and fire. But that fire tends to burn him in the later innings. He starts collapsing and walks about two runners on base per inning.
It's one of the saddest things to witness as a sports fan, but now it's time to pull the plug. He needs to be either DFA'd or bought out of his contract entirely. He's a liability, and has been for months now. If he can't control his sweeper, which has been his knockout pitch this year, he's going to tax the bullpen even further. That is a recipe for disaster.
Any player hoping to play in the postseason must be on an MLB roster as of 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31. Unless things change soon, Buehler is in danger of being removed from Boston's postseason mix.