The Philadelphia Phillies' biggest strength coming into the 2025 season was their starting rotation. That has played out to perfection, even with losing ace Zack Wheeler for the season in mid-August. For added insurance, the club picked up Walker Buehler to help relieve the rotation and also possibly add him to the postseason roster.
Although his signing seemingly came out of nowhere, the pickup now ultimately leaves him and Taijuan Walker vying for a remaining spot on the postseason roster.
Walker Buehler would be a better option than Taijuan Walker for Phillies to take into October
The Phillies have been forced to make the most of their situation in spite of losing one of the best arms in baseball. They still have one of the best pitching staffs the sport has to offer coming into the postseason, and adding Buehler to that postseason roster would be the better option for the Phillies in the coming weeks.
The choice isn't easy, considering Walker has had a much better year than he did in 2024. In 19 games last year, he had a 3-7 record, a 7.10 ERA and a whopping 1.72 WHIP. Everything was pointing to a potential dealing of Walker over the winter.
Instead, he's bounced back this season with a 5-8 record, a 4.18 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He's shown progress with his best ERA as a member of the Phillies, but his inconsistency on the mound could still find him off the postseason roster, like he was last year.
Buehler has had a little more of a troubling season in 2025 with a 7-7 record, 5.45 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP in 23 games with the Boston Red Sox. Since he signed with the Phillies, however, he's found some success with a 2-0 record, a 1.04 ERA and a 1.15 ERA over 8 2/3 innings.
Buehler will get one more start, per Phillies Nation's Destiny Lugardo, scheduled for Thursday against the Miami Marlins, to help secure his postseason roster spot.
Even with the limited time in red pinstripes, Buehler's postseason success is something to keep in mind. In 19 postseason games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Buehler has pitched to a superb 3.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 114 strikeouts over 94 2/3 innings. Buehler also was the one on the mound when the Dodgers closed out the 2024 World Series.
The Phillies' starting rotation may be set for the postseason, but having someone like Buehler in the bullpen adds support. Buehler has a proven track record of performing in big moments in October and for the Phillies' sake, it's worth trying. The Phillies are going to need a long man to come out and eat important innings, and Buehler could be just the arm the Phillies will be looking for.