Buehler dominated for much of the night, carrying a two-hit shutout into the sixth, fanning seven and walking one before exiting with two runs allowed after five-plus innings. His frustration after being pulled underscored that the edge he once showed as a frontline starter is still there.
The development matters because San Diego entered the season with rotation depth questions, even as the bullpen has been strong and the lineup has produced. A true caliber starter at the top of the order could alter how far the club can go this season.
Beyond this one outing, Buehler’s two recent starts hint at a broader trend. He followed the Mariners game with another strong showing against the Rockies, delivering six scoreless innings, a sign he is beginning to trust his stuff again at a critical moment for the team.
If this trajectory continues, Buehler could lift the Padres’ ceiling from a solid, patchwork-rotation club to a team with a genuine postseason-caliber presence in the rotation. He could become more than a depth piece—a weapon that forces opponents to rethink how they approach San Diego in a series.
There is a layer of irony in a former Dodger rediscovering form in San Diego, but the bigger takeaway is straightforward: a healthy, confident Buehler could shift the Padres’ rotation outlook and influence how opponents prepare for them as the season deepens.
For now, San Diego is winning, and Buehler’s performance adds a tangible upside. The key question remains sustainability: if this version of him is real, the Padres may have unearthed one of the most important swing pieces in the National League.
