In his first appearance for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Mets young hurler Nolan McLean couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Starting the final game of pool play against Team Italy, the 24-year-old struck out the side and needed just 11 pitches to do it while looking absolutely dominant.
McLean began his outing by striking out Jakob Marsee of the Miami Marlins on three pitches, getting him to freeze on a curveball on the outside corner. His next victim was veteran Jon Berti, who struck out swinging on a sweeper down and away. McLean then made quick work of the Kansas City Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino by getting him to chase a curveball out of the zone.
Tuesday’s start is McLean’s first appearance in a game since Feb. 26, when he pitched four scoreless innings against the Houston Astros. He allowed a hit and a walk in that outing while striking out six.
Read the full article here