Walker Buehler threw six shutout-innings against the Washington Nationals in Game 1, allowing just one hit and three walks in the process as the Dodgers won 6-0. Yet, Nationals young phenom Juan Soto was not impressed with Buehler.
Soto had the lone hit off Buehler, a lead-off single in the second inning. The Nationals did threaten in the fourth with three walks that loaded the bases before Asdrubal Cabrera hit into an inning-ending ground out.
Maybe Soto’s words were taken out of context, or he was just a frustrated 20-year old who just loss his first postseason game?
But there is some merit to what Soto said. The Nationals chased pitches out of the strike zone. They were impatient at the plate. Nats shortstop Trea Turner said they “tried way too hard” pressing to generate offense.
The fact of the matter is that Buehler made less mistakes on the mound than his counterpart Patrick Corbin, who allowed two runs through his six innings of work with five walks.
Soto’s words certainly will rile up the Dodgers clubhouse, so the NL Wild Card Game hero surely must be ready for the challenge as the series continues in Game 2 Friday. He’ll be going up against ace Clayton Kershaw.
