Dodgers manager praises Walker Buehler’s NLCS outing after prior struggles in return from Tommy John surgery [Video]

Walker Buehler‘s regular season couldn’t have gone much worse following a return from Tommy John surgery, but on Wednesday night, he looked like his old self.

The 30-year-old Buehler, who was once probably considered the ace of this Los Angeles Dodgers staff, sans Clayton Kershaw, pitched to a career-worst 5.38 ERA in 16 starts this year.

With other injuries to the Dodgers rotation, including Kerhsaw, Buehler was tabbed as a starter almost out of necessity.

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His first postseason start was a microcosm of his regular season: bad. He allowed six earned runs in five innings against the San Diego Padres in what could have been his final outing of the season.

But L.A. won that series in five games, and the Dodgers tabbed Buehler as their starter for Game 3 of the NLCS.

Short of pitch count and innings, he did not disappoint. He struck out Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded in the …