San Diego Padres starting pitcher Walker Buehler has imploded in his last two starts.

Buehler became the first pitcher this season to allow 16 earned runs in a span of two outings. He allowed nine runs against the Chicago Cubs in what became the Padres’ worst loss in franchise history.

Buehler gave up seven hits and issues four walks across four frames, leading to a crushing 23–3 defeat at Wrigley Field.

San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler has given up 16 earned runs over his last two starts. Getty Images

The right-hander also allowed seven earned runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing seven hits and a walk in 5.1 innings.

On the season, Buehler is sporting a 5.07 ERA with 80 strikeouts across 87 innings of work (18 starts). His last two starts have been wildly different from his outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of June, where he tossed 5.1 innings of one-run baseball.

Despite the two terrible starts, Buehler has just a 5.07 ERA on the season. Getty Images

The Padres took a chance on the veteran, signing him to a minor league deal in the offseason. Buehler worked his way to the Opening Day roster and has remained a staple in the rotation ever since.

Buehler’s performance coincides with the nightmarish season the Padres have endured. From Fernando Tatis Jr.’s home run drought to the depleted starting rotation, the 2026 season has quickly spiraled for San Diego.

The Padres are now 15 games behind first-place of the division with the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks 14 games behind.

President of baseball operations A.J. Preller is typically active at the trade deadline, but the Padres’ poor performance could make them sellers instead of buyers in what would be a surprise twist for a team that pushed the Dodgers to the brink of elimination in the 2024 NL Division Series.

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