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.
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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.
