The deal will become official once Buehler passes a physical.
Only this sport draws lines like these: from a perfect ninth in October to a bumpy summer in Boston to a red-pinstriped rescue mission. The Red Sox cut him loose Friday after a brief bullpen detour, unconvinced he could juice their stretch run from relief. His Boston ledger: 7–7, 5.45 ERA in 22 starts and one relief cameo.
It's not entirely clear how the Phillies will deploy the 31-year-old righty, though at a minimum he brings plenty of postseason experience and big game experience.
For the résumé: two All-Star nods, two rings, a career 54–29. He scuffled last year coming off his second Tommy John — and then did the most baseball thing ever: five shutout innings as the Game 3 starter, followed two days later by a spotless ninth to clinch the Series.
And the postseason line that makes this tempting in September: 19 games (18 starts), 94⅔ innings, a 3.04 ERA, 114 strikeouts, 1 save — that save being the final out of last year’s clincher. That’s the ceiling they’re chasing.
It's a low-risk, high gain type of move for a club looking to do everything it can to gain an edge in the postseason.
So here we are: one month to go, a rotation add who’s closed a World Series, and a city that never minds a little drama. Straight lines? Please. This is Philadelphia. The roller coaster has better seats.
So here we are: one month to go, a rotation add who’s closed a World Series, and a city that never minds a little drama. Straight lines? Please. This is Philadelphia. The roller coaster has better seats.
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