Why the Dodgers believe Walker Buehler can still dominate [Video]

SAN DIEGO — 

The Dodgers believe.

They believe that Walker Buehler will once again be the pitcher he used to be, that he can once again be the man unafraid to scale the mound when the games count the most.

But how much will they stake on that belief?

Buehler’s second start wasn’t any better than his first, the former All-Star removed from a 4-0 defeat to the San Diego Padres with just one out in the fourth inning.

His final line on Sunday at Petco Park: Three runs, five hits, two walks, two strikeouts.

“I think that we just can’t lose sight of the fact he hasn’t pitched in two years,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Roberts was right, of course.

Buehler had pitched only once in the last 23 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery for the second time. But the challenging circumstances don’t change the situation. As much as the Dodgers are …