Sep 25, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Walker Buehler (31) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
When the Phillies clinched the division in Los Angeles last week, Walker Buehler had a front row seat.
But that's the thing - he felt like he was watching it.
Yes, he was part of the team. Yes, he had made one start prior to the clinching win. So, in a sense, he had just as much a right to celebrate it as anyone else in that cramped visitor's clubhouse, but for Buehler, it wasn't quite enough.
"I haven't been here very long, but I've really enjoyed this team," Buehler said. "Next time we celebrate, I want to feel like I was a part of it."
Maybe that's why Buehler, after pitching five scoreless innings in a 1-0 Phillies win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday, asked to continue throwing in the bullpen.
Manager Rob Thomson gave him his blessing, and Buehler made the jog out to the pen and was throwing hard while Taijuan Walker was pitching in relief of him in the actual game.
Walker Buehler explains why he went out to the bullpen to throw more pitches after his start.
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/TcvAuUYpJq
"I think every pitch in the playoffs is a little bit more," Buehler said of the intensity needed to pitch in the postseason. "I think if there are 100 during the regular season, you're ready to throw 75 or 80 in the playoffs.
"I've always tried to either find some athleticism in my throw when I've been good throughout September, or build up to the point that, fatigue-wise, I feel like I can go and throw 85 pitches as much as I can. ... I did that last year (with the Dodgers). Not the build up, but I kind of got myself to the point that I felt, volume-wise, I could throw that much."
He continued his nuanced explanation...
"I just think everything in the playoffs is a little intensified and obviously with the DFA situation, I have to be able to build up higher than I've been able to output on the mound."
Buehler didn't get to 100 pitches total, but he wasn't focused on the number of pitches. He was focused on up/downs.
"For me, the ups are more important," he said. "So, I got seven ups, which I think kind of aligns with what I'm saying."
It's been an interesting ride with the Phillies so far for Buehler. He's made two starts and one relief appearance.
He's thrown 13 2/3 innings and has allowed just one run. He has an 0.66 ERA and has yielded 10 hits, six walks and hit a batter, while striking out eight.
Walker Buehler’s stats with the Phillies:
13.2 IP | 10 H | 1 ER | 6 BB | 8 K | 0.68 ERA pic.twitter.com/f0FvN7AvDn
The question is, can he sustain that? Especially since his last two regular seasons have been quite underwhelming.
He didn't have his best command against the Marlins, but he used a bit of his veteran guile to work out of jams. In the third inning he gave up two hits and a walk and with the bases loaded, he got Miami catcher Liam Hicks to pop out.
"That's kind of who he is," Thomson said. "He just keeps battling and competing and gave us five shutout innings."
As for what's next for Buehler, remains to be seen. This was his last appearance of the regular season, but he has certainly done enough to have his name on the postseason roster.
The question is, in what role?
He's probably best suited to be a multi-inning reliever as a piggyback of sorts for a starter. However, if he can muscle his way through starts, like he did on Thursday, is it possible he could be asked to start a game at some point?
"Yeah, we'll see," Thomson said.
It's possible he could be asked to do both - start and relieve. He did it last year for the Dodgers, throwing the final pitch of the World Series as a reliever after winning a game earlier in the series as a starter.
The Phillies have also done it in postseasons past with Ranger Suarez. So, bouncing him back and forth wouldn't be unprecedented.
Does Buehler sit it better one way than the other?
Walker Buehler said “that’s above my paygrade” when asked if he’s put himself in position to start in the postseason.
He also added “next time we celebrate, I wanna feel like I was a part of it.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/HDkZiLrwNu
"That's above my pay grade, man," he said. "I'm here to win a world title and whatever kind of piece I can be, whether it be a starting pitcher to a cheerleader, I really don't care. ... Whatever they ask me to do."
Sounds like they'll be asking him to at least do something of note in the postseason - even if he wasn't part of the organization a month ago.
But when a team is all-in to win a championship, adding a player with some postseason chops - even if he's not been the same pitcher as he was a few years back, is never a bad thing.
