Baseball was cooler when it wasn't all arbitrary pitch counts and algorithms. Buehler was at 99 mph and not straining when he pulled him. There would be no Don Larsen, Jack Morris, or basically any other legendary pitching performance with these robots.
It is what it is. But worth noting that was the most pitches Buehler had thrown in any MLB game. He'd gone 105 twice before, never 108. Kid is talented and you assume you'll need him for Game 6. No reason to Dusty Baker him into early retirement. It's the one move Roberts made I can get behind.
If the kid had a few years experience under him, then maybe you take that risk and run him out in 8th.
fwiw, Morris went past 108 pitches 5x in postseason. He was 3-2 in those games. Certainly not automatic.
And 2014 MadBum says hi.