After a dreadful regular season in which he put up a 5.38 ERA, Dodgers righty Walker Buehler was instrumental to their title run. He closed out the playoffs with 10 consecutive scoreless innings, including the series-clinching save in Game 5 against the New York Yankees.

Earlier this week, Jon Morosi of MLB Network indicated that there was “mutual interest” between the Yankees and Buehler, which would certainly create conflicting emotions for Dodgers fans. However, there’s a long way to go before Buehler officially signs in pinstripes.

The Dodgers are the only home Buehler has ever known, and if there’s any indication they want him back, he’s likely to defer to them. One recent round of free-agent predictions tilts the needle in LA’s favor.

Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report predicted that with the Dodgers, despite the Yankees’ best efforts to lure the two-time All-Star to the Bronx.

The Yankees watched up close and personally as Buehler sent them home without a championship ring so it certainly makes sense that they would be intrigued at the possibility of bringing him on board to strengthen their rotation,” Beaston said.

“If there is any indication that the two sides could make a deal happen, one would have to assume he would be open to returning to the only organization he has ever known, with a roster that is as impressive as any in professional baseball.”

Buehler, 30, was projected for a two-year, $32 million deal by Tim Britton of The Athletic. There’s no telling how high the bidding war might climb in reality, but that seems like a reasonable asking price, given the payroll flexibility Shohei Ohtani’s contract gives the Dodgers.

It’s only one prediction, but perhaps Dodgers fans who have grown to love Buehler can take some comfort in it.