Walker Buehler didn’t mince words after another rough outing on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. The frustration was raw, and so were the results. In his first appearance in the Bronx since throwing the final pitch of the 2023 World Series for the Dodgers, Buehler was shelled for seven earned runs over just two innings in a 9-6 Red Sox loss. All seven runs came with two outs.
Defeat to Yankees, Boston Starter Reflects
The defeat marked another brutal blow in what’s been a spiraling stretch for Boston, now sitting at 30-35 and a daunting 10.5 games behind the Yankees in the American League East. Perhaps most concerning is the rotation, outside of Garrett Crochet, where the first inning has become a house of horrors.
Red Sox starters now carry a 7.06 ERA in the opening inning, second-worst in baseball, ahead of only the Rockies. “This organization put a lot of faith in me this offseason,” Buehler said, “and I’ve been f****** embarrassing for us.”
Walker Buehler on his season:
“This organization put a lot of faith in me this offseason and I’ve been fucking embarrassing for us”
(via @SmittyOnMLB) pic.twitter.com/eHCRMbJDMs
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) June 7, 2025
Buehler’s outing continued that trend. He gave up a five-spot in the first inning, becoming the third Red Sox starter in the past four games to surrender at least four runs before fans could settle in. By the time the Yankees were done in the second, Buehler had thrown 67 pitches, only 42 for strikes, and his night was over.
It’s not what the Red Sox envisioned when they signed the 30-year-old right-hander to a one-year, $21.05 million deal in the offseason. The hope was that Buehler’s postseason pedigree and championship experience would stabilize a rotation in transition. Instead, he’s been anything but consistent.
In ten starts, Buehler owns a 4-4 record with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He’s struck out just 44 batters and has yet to string together a dominant stretch. Since returning from a stint on the injured list with right shoulder bursitis, Buehler has allowed 14 runs (12 earned) in just 12 2/3 innings across three full starts.
Boston to Sell? Links to Former Team
With the team hovering below .500 and the rotation continuing to crumble, questions are beginning to swirl around the Red Sox front office. Is it time to sell? The idea of blowing things up and salvaging what they can before the trade deadline is gaining traction.
Buehler, in particular, could become an intriguing piece. A reunion with the Dodgers, who are desperate for starting pitching, would make sense for both sides. For Boston, it might be a chance to recoup value and look ahead. For Buehler, it could be a much-needed reset.
For now, though, the Red Sox will try to find answers. But as Buehler admitted, those answers won’t come without accountability.
And right now, he’s wearing it all.