Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will make the start on Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Buehler is starting in place of left-hander Clayton Kershaw (back), who was placed on the injured list on Friday. The 27-year-old right-hander was previously scheduled to start on five days of rest on Saturday, but instead he'll be moved up a day. Although he currently has a career-low 21.8% strikeout rate, Buehler has been money otherwise for his fantasy managers, posting a 1.96 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in his first six starts over 36 2/3 innings. Buehler will remain a must-start in all fantasy leagues against the Phillies in LA on Friday evening.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler is off to a strong start to the month of May. Over his first two starts this month, he's gone 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA, allowing just one earned run over 12 innings. The 27-year-old is 4-1 with a 1.96 ERA and 1.06 WHIP on the season. While fantasy managers should be extremely encouraged by those numbers, there are a few concerning peripheral stats for the right-hander. He currently has a career-low strikeout rate of 21.8%, down from his career 27.3% strikeout rate. Additionally, he's giving up a hard-hit rate of 40.4% (43rd percentile), which is up from his career rate of 35.9%. These factors have contributed to his 48th percentile xERA of 3.69. It could just be a matter of a small sample size for Buehler, but it's something to keep an eye on going forward. He'll make his next start on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler turned in quite possibly the best pitching performance of the year thus far on Monday. Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks, he pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out 10. It was the first complete game in the majors this year and Buehler's first career shutout. The 27-year-old is now 2-1 on the year with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He failed to go past six innings in any of his first three starts, so it was especially encouraging to see him go the distance on Monday. He'll look to build off of Monday's gem in his next start against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler will look to improve to 2-0 against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. He will face Red's right-hander Luis Cessa in Thursday's matchup. The 27-year-old was solid in the 2022 season debut against the Colorado Rockies, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings, striking out five, and earning the win. The right-hander will look to build on his impressive 2021 season, where he posted a 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 212: 52 K: BB across 207 2/3 innings. On Thursday, Buehler is a must-start for fantasy managers against a (2-4) Reds team.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will get the nod as the team's Opening Day starter this year on April 8 on the road against the Colorado Rockies. It's the first time since 2010 that Clayton Kershaw hasn't been on the bump on Opening Day for Los Angeles, when healthy. Buehler had a career-best 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, a 26% strikeout rate and a 6.4% walk rate in a league-high 33 starts over 207 2/3 innings in 2021. The 27-year-old right-hander made the All-Star team for the second time in his career and is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 7 fantasy starter this year. Games at Coors Field are always a bit more risky, but those that have Buehler rostered in redraft leagues shouldn't be benching him.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will make his 2022 Cactus League debut on Tuesday, according to MLB.com's Juan Toribio. Buehler figures to once again be one of fantasy baseball's best starting pitchers this season. The starter pitched to a 2.47 ERA and a 3.16 FIP in 207.2 innings last year. He also finished with 212 strikeouts and 52 walks while turning in 16 pitcher wins as one of Los Angeles' best starters. The right-hander has never registered an ERA over 3.30 in a full season in his career and it would surprise no one if that trend continued in 2022.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will turn to starting pitcher Walker Buehler on short rest for Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday, with starter Max Scherzer dealing with general arm fatigue. Buehler has made three starts this postseason and last pitched on Oct. 19. Scherzer admitted to having "dead arm" during his 79-pitch start in Game 2 against the Braves when he allowed two runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings. It's unknown if Mad Max would be available to pitch in a potential Game 7 on Sunday, but the team is holding out hope that he'll feel better. Buehler made his first start on short rest in Game 4 of the Division Series against the San Francisco Giants and gave up just one run in 4 1/3 innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler has been named the team's starter for Game 4 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The Dodgers are trailing 2-1 in the series and facing elimination, so it's no surprise that they are turning to one of their top arms, even though he'll be on short rest. Buehler pitched Game 1 of the NLDS last Friday and didn't have his best performance. He went 6 1/3 innings and allowed six hits, one walk and three earned runs while striking out five. If the Dodgers win on Tuesday, then Julio Urias would be the team's starter in Game 5.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will take the mound for the team's final game of the year against the Milwaukee Brewers. How deep he goes in the game may depend on whether the game is still relevant. If the Dodgers lose on Saturday, then the San Francisco Giants clinch the NL West. However, if the Dodgers win on Saturday, they can force a one-game battle for the division with a win on Sunday and a Giants loss on Sunday. Buehler is coming off of a dominant outing this past Tuesday in which he threw seven scoreless innings in a win over the San Diego Padres. He is 15-4 with a 2.49 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP on the year.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was a victim of the Coors Field effect against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. He pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits, no walks and five earned runs while recording just two strikeouts. It was his second rough outing of the month as he kicked off September by allowing six earned runs over three innings in a start against the San Francisco Giants. Those two starts have really been the only major blemishes in an otherwise fantastic 2021 campaign for the right-hander. Over 31 starts on the year, Buehler has gone 14-4 with a 2.58 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. His next start will be on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler got roughed up in Sunday's loss versus the San Francisco Giants. Buehler only lasted three innings and allowed seven hits, six runs, one walk and one strikeout. It was a rare poor performance for the right-hander and managers shouldn't be too concerned moving forward. Buehler is now 13-3 with a 2.31 ERA and will face the San Diego Padres on Friday evening. Despite the loss, Buehler should remain in the lineup for all future starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler earned another quality start in Tuesday's no-decision versus the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander tossed seven innings and allowed four hits, two runs, two walks and struck out five on the evening. Buehler has consistently become one of the best pitchers in all of baseball this season and rarely doesn't pick up a quality start or suffer a loss. There isn't much not to like about his performance this year with a 13-2 record to go along with a shiny 2.05 ERA. Buehler will look to keep it going versus the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler threw another gem on Wednesday versus the San Diego Padres. Buehler earned his 23rd quality start of the season and went 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision. The right-hander allowed three hits, one run (zero earned), one walk and struck out eight on the evening. Buehler has been nearly unhittable this season and has stepped up as the Dodgers ace with Clayton Kershaw (forearm) and Trevor Bauer (administrative leave) both being sidelined. For the season, Buehler 13-2 with a miniscule 2.02 ERA. Next up will be a matchup versus the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler earned his 13th win of the season with a gem over the New York Mets Friday night, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. That Buehler is the clear ace of the decorated Dodgers rotation speaks to how dominant he has been, and he has a case to be the clear-cut top fantasy starter for the year. With a 2.11 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and 170 strikeouts in 162 1/3 innings, fantasy managers can set him and forget him the rest of the way.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler continued his impressive season on Saturday versus the New York Mets. Buehler earned a no-decision and allowed four hits, one run, three walks and struck out 10 over seven innings. Buehler has been one of the best pitchers in the league this season and is 12-2 with a 2.09 ERA. Managers have to be pleased with Buehler every time that he is on the mound and he continues to be a quality start machine. Buehler also plays behind a good defense and dangerous lineup, so he should continue to rack up plenty of victories down the stretch. Buehler will face the Mets in a rematch on Friday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler earned another quality start in Sunday's victory versus the Los Angeles Angels. Buehler tossed six innings and allowed four hits, one run, four walks and struck out eight. The four walks weren't ideal for managers, but Buehler was able to contribute another solid outing. Buehler has been having a great season and is now 12-2 with a 2.13 ERA. The right-hander will look to continue his strong season with a date against the New York Mets on Saturday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler picked up a tough loss against the Houston Astros on Tuesday. Buehler went six innings and earned his 19th quality start of the season. The right-hander allowed five hits, one run, three walks and struck out five on the evening. Buehler pitched well enough for a victory, but was out dueled by Astros starter Lance McCullers. Buehler continues to be a quality start machine and it has been very rare that he has disappointed managers this season. He is now 11-2 with a shiny 2.16 ERA in 22 starts this season. Buehler will look to get back into the win column versus the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

PHOENIX (AP) — A dizzying trade deadline saw the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers pull off the biggest whopper of them all. The Dodgers acquired three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, finalizing the deal for the dynamic duo from the Washington Nationals shortly before Friday's cutoff for making swaps. Washington acquired a pair of rookies, right-hander Josiah Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz, and two minor leaguers, righty Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey. The Nationals, who have fallen out of playoff contention made several trades in 24 hours to dismantle a roster that won the World Series in 2019 over the Houston Astros. “When I took a step back and made that look, I didn’t see a path to be a World Series caliber team this year, so I felt it was time to take a step sideways to allow us to take a step forward and get back to where we’re supposed to be, which is a championship-caliber organization,” Nationals general manager... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a monster deal for ace Max Scherzer and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, getting the dynamic duo from the Washington Nationals shortly before Friday's trade deadline. Washington acquired a pair of rookies, right-hander Josiah Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz, and two minor leaguers, righty Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey. Scherzer had been given permission to speak to the Dodgers to see if he would waive his right to veto any trade, a power he had as a 10-year veteran who has been with his team for at least five years. “Today is heart wrenching as we say goodbye to two of the most accomplished players and two of the best people in our team’s history," Nationals owner Mark Lerner said in a statement. The deal came with the Dodgers three games behind NL West-leading San Francisco. Los Angeles owns the top spot in the wild-card race, 2 1/2 games ahead of San Diego. With the Major League Baseball trade deadline... [More]

The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers neared a monster trade for ace Max Scherzer and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner of the Washington Nationals late Thursday night, a person close to the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the swap wasn't complete. The Nationals would get four young players for Washington's dynamic duo. Scherzer has been given permission to speak to the Dodgers to see if he will waive his right to veto any trade, a power he has as a 10-year veteran who has been with his team for at least five years. If the trade goes through, it would be a stunning haul for the Dodgers, who are three games behind NL West-leading San Francisco. Los Angeles owns the top spot in the wild-card race, 2 1/2 games ahead of San Diego. With the Major League Baseball trade deadline at 4 p.m. EDT Friday, there was speculation on Thursday that the Padres would be the winners in the Scherzer sweepstakes. Instead, the Dodgers got real... [More]