The tension at the Bronx stadium that fateful night was palpable. The Los Angeles Dodgers stood on the brink of World Series glory—just one pitch away from the ultimate prize! The score was tight, and the air was thick with anticipation. Walker Buehler, the young ace of the Dodgers’ pitching staff, was on the mound. In front of him was New York Yankees’ Alex Verdugo staring down Buehler from the plate, determined to extend the game.
In that moment, Buehler never knew a pitch that he had long doubted would seal his legacy! The curveball was something that had always haunted him—never quite the go-to pitch he needed it to be. But on the biggest stage of his career, with everything on the line, Buehler’s trust in his curveball finally clicked. As Verdugo swung and missed, the curve ball struck the decisive blow, and the Dodgers poured out of the dugout, swarming their ace in celebration.
“Walker did not like his curveball.”
Dave Roberts breaks down the pitch sequence that sealed Walker Buehler’s title-clinching moment. pic.twitter.com/81OSxWdnHy
— Dodgers Territory (@LADTerritory) March 12, 2025
In a revealing interview with Dodgers Territory, manager Dave Roberts reflected on the high-stakes decision behind that final pitch. “I don’t have anyone behind him, so there’s no margin if Alex ties the game up,” Roberts explained. “I have no other exit strategy.” The weight of the moment couldn’t have been clearer. But Buehler, once hesitant to fully embrace his breaking ball, had trusted it in the most critical of moments. The irony wasn’t lost on Roberts. “The irony is that curveball allowed him to strike out Alex Verdugo,” Roberts said with a chuckle.
“There’s the breaker right there. Pure elation!” The pitch that once caused him doubt had now become the pitch that sealed the Dodgers’ World Series win. For Walker Buehler, the moment was more than just a victory for the Dodgers—it was a moment of personal redemption! He finally found the trust in himself that had eluded him for so long. In the most high-stakes moment of his career, that pitch wasn’t just a victory for the Dodgers—it was a victory for every player who dared to trust their craft, even when the odds seemed against them.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to defend their title
Winning a World Series title is no small feat, but defending the title? Well, that’s a whole different challenge! The Los Angeles Dodgers, having reached the pinnacle of baseball in 2024, are not only looking to repeat as champions but to break a streak of two decades without a back-to-back winner. With an abundance of postseason experience under their belt, the Dodgers enter 2025 as more than just contenders—they’re poised to dominate.
Under manager Dave Roberts, who’s instilled a culture of excellence since 2013, the team has made the playoffs every year, capturing four National League pennants and two World Series titles along the way. Now, do they have enough to conquer the toughest of all challenges—repeating as World Series champions? The 2025 roster answers that with confidence; the team is boasting a rotation built for October glory. Shohei Ohtani anchors the staff, joined by the emerging star Roki Sasaki and veterans like Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow.
And let’s not forget Blake Snell, a proven postseason performer who can turn a game on its head. Together, they form a rotation that can take on any team in the postseason. While the pitching rotation is a fearsome force, it’s the offense that might truly set them apart. With Freddie Freeman’s consistency, Mookie Betts’ versatility, and the unmatched two-way brilliance of Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers have one of the most formidable lineups in MLB, complemented by a strong farm system with youngsters like Diego Cartaya and Bobby Miller ready to step in.
With their blend of star power, depth, and postseason experience, the Dodgers are primed to make history and defend their World Series title in 2025.
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