Buehler works on mechanics ahead of playoffs

SAN FRANCISCO -- Most pitchers headed to the postseason use their final regular-season start for a tuneup. Walker Buehler used it on Friday night for tinkering.

Although the Dodgers battered the Giants 9-2 -- to tie for the most wins in Los Angeles history at 104 -- Buehler struggled through five innings. He struck out eight but walked four, allowed two runs and five hits and made 104 pitches.

“It’s not a panic thing,” said Buehler. “This is what I do. I tinker. When I give myself something new to think about, it simplifies things for me.”

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A year ago, Buehler’s final regular-season start was his clutch Game 163 victory over Colorado that clinched the division. There was no talk of tinkering back then. Buehler, however, said some of what he took into Friday night’s game came off video of that Game 163.

“I’m kind of tinkering with some stuff and trying to figure some little things out,” he said. “Been a little inconsistent and kind of found a little something there. Trying to speed up and put myself in a position to be a little more athletic. For now it’s going to be a little inconsistent and that’s fine, that’s why we work the way we do. I feel like I threw some really good pitches and some really bad pitches and just trying to find some consistency.”

Why tinker with mechanics on the eve of the postseason? Because Buehler allowed six earned runs over 11 innings in his previous two starts.

“The past two starts I wasn’t super happy about and I’m going to look at some stuff and figure out a plan to find a different feel,” he said. “I’m a one-feel guy, try to find a feel for every delivery and if that one feel is not working, I’ll try a different one.”

Buehler changed his windup to keep his hands in front instead of over his head, a device manager Dave Roberts explained would allow his arm to catch up with his lower body.

“It was all about command,” Roberts said. “The tempo was considerably quicker than it has been. That was kind of intentional. I think his arm had a hard time catching up tonight. Spraying the fastball, getting behind. But in the zone, it was really good. It didn’t allow for efficiency. For him to get through five was a good thing.

“Walker said he figured some things out in the fifth inning. He’s got good body and mechanical awareness. We’ve got time to get him dialed back in.”

Well, not a lot of time. Game 1 of the National League Division Series is six days away. Buehler is one of three candidates to start that game, the others being Clayton Kershaw, who threw six scoreless innings Thursday, and Hyun Jin Ryu, who pitches Saturday. Roberts said he will meet with all three and make a decision by Sunday. He said recent performance would not be much of a factor in the decision.

Buehler qualified for the win to finish 14-4 because of a second-inning aerial assault on Giants starter Johnny Cueto, who allowed back-to-back home runs to Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager and a two-run shot by Joc Pederson, all in a five-run second inning.

The Dodgers were able to extend the 5-2 lead they had when Buehler left as the Giants stranded 17 runners. But Tony Gonsolin didn’t help his chances of making the postseason roster by loading the bases with two walks and a hit batter. He threw 32 pitches and escaped the eighth inning without allowing a run, but his pitch count prevented him from throwing a second inning.

In fact, Roberts tried to take Gonsolin out in mid at-bat of Alex Dickerson with two outs. But prior to the at-bat, pitching coach Rick Honeycutt made a mound visit, so Roberts was prevented from removing Gonsolin because only one visit per at-bat is allowed. Gonsolin retired Dickerson on a flyout to end the inning.

“The change was up, the fastball wasn’t where it needed to be,” said Roberts. “You know what you see. He’s got to command the baseball. But it was good to see him get through it.”