Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts' decision to remove Clayton Kershaw from his perfect game bid against the Twins was the talk of the MLB World for a long while. Some supported the decision while others harshly criticized Roberts. The topic was brought back to life following Walker Buehler's recent shutout in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. Everyone wondered why Buehler was allowed to work all nine innings while Kershaw was removed prior to the 8th in his bid for perfection.

Part of it stemmed from Walker Buehler himself. After the 8th inning was completed, the Dodgers' budding ace made the following exclamatory statement in the Dodgers' dugout.

“I’m not coming out of this game!’’

That is called a “bulldog mentality.” MLB managers respect that mindset. But there was more to Dave Roberts' decision than Buehler requesting to stay in the game.

Walker Buehler has a track record of good health. Clayton Kershaw was injured for a significant amount of time last year and reportedly did not start preparing for the 2022 campaign until January.

Roberts commented on the decision to leave Buehler in after removing Kershaw from the perfect game bid.

“Hey, he was built up. They’re not all created equal.”

Roberts also understood what throwing a complete game shutout meant for Buehler.

“Great players have certain things that they have to motivate them within the team constructs. Completing games, a complete game shutout was something that he always wanted. And to know that he can do it, now that he’s done it, it was an eventful outing.”

It was a tremendous shutout for Walker Buehler. Roberts has done a good job of protecting his players while still placing them in an opportunity for success.