Ex-Dodgers ace Walker Buehler gets candid about joining the Padres for a prove-it season

The San Diego Padres have been on the wrong end of some pretty spectacular pitching performances from Walker Buehler. Spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Buehler has been as dominant as anyone could be at Petco Park, Buehler owns a 2.18 ERA at the Friars' park in six starts, the second-best mark of any stadium in his career (minimum five starts).

Buehler, 31, has also pitched against the Padres twice in the postseason. He did so once in the 2020 NLDS and once in the 2024 NLDS. Los Angeles went on to win the World Series in both seasons, further cementing Buehler's legacy as a Dodger great.

He's been part of the rivalry that's grown drastically over the last decade, so for Buehler to now be on the other side is...well, weird (that's how Buehler put it, and we can all agree to that sentiment.

Walker Buehler adds to rivalry between Padres and Dodgers

"Yeah it feels a little weird. I imagine five years ago it would have been a lot more weird, but this is a crazy game. This is a great opportunity for me," said Buehler in the Padres' locker room on Tuesday.

If Buehler were to make the Opening Day roster, he would have some time to settle into his new threads. San Diego does not play the Dodgers until May 18.

Buehler isn't too worried about that right now, though. His focus is on making the team first before reflecting further about the rivalry between the Padres and the Dodgers, and playing in that game in a different uniform.

His full interview with 97.3 The Fan can be found below. He had some other interesting things to say, such as trying crack the starting rotation and getting his body back to full health.

We're well-aware that Buehler is no longer in his prime. Perhaps he could reinvent himself after being a flame-thrower for the greater part of a decade. His hard-hit rate is still quite strong, so maybe working with Ruben Niebla for a full spring can do Buehler plenty of good.

Buehler isn't the only player looking to make a name for himself at Padres' camp. Ty France, Nick Castellanos, Griffin Canning, Miguel Andujar, Germán Márquez, and Marco Gonzales are among the latest stable of additions made by Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller. Each aforementioned player has something to prove at Spring Training, but for Buehler, there is a different kind of attention on him since he is known as a Dodgers legend.