McLean raring to go in Classic title tilt: 'I'm built for this'
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MIAMI -- When the United States assembled its super team for this World Baseball Classic, the selections were skewed toward established stars not just because of their talent but because of the guaranteed contracts that make them more prone to participate.
On the other hand, there was rookie starter Nolan McLean.
The 24-year-old Mets right-hander has made all of eight starts in the big leagues. But they were eight starts in which he was chucking and commanding both a four-seam and two-seam in the upper 90s, to go with some of the best breaking stuff you’ll ever see.
And then there was what he said when manager Mark DeRosa called him to gauge his interest.
“I’m built for this,” McLean said. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for something like this.”
His moment is here.
After Team USA knocked off the Dominican Republic in the semifinals Sunday night, manager Mark DeRosa confirmed McLean, who had a 2.06 ERA and 196 ERA+ (96% better than league average) in 48 innings for the Mets down the stretch last season, is getting the starting nod in Tuesday night’s finals against the winner of Italy vs. Venezuela.
Though the kid was tagged for two homers in three innings of work in the United States’ upset loss to Italy in pool play, it will, in all likelihood, be his performance in the United States’ third consecutive finals appearance that will be what people remember most about his role in this tournament.
Team USA had originally planned to roster Twins starter Joe Ryan to take Clayton Kershaw’s roster spot once it advanced to the WBC semifinals, and there was thought that McLean and Ryan could piggyback each other and, in a sense, share the starting role. But when the U.S. clinched against Canada, it was reliever Jeff Hoffman who joined the club instead.
That was perhaps the strongest indication yet of how much trust this team has in McLean, regardless of a rocky second inning that marred his night against the Italians.
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There is also great trust in the bullpen behind McLean.
Great scheduling, too.
In its wins over both Canada on Friday and the D.R. on Sunday, Team USA was able to employ its three best bullpen arms exactly as planned – David Bednar in the seventh, Garrett Whitlock in the eighth, Mason Miller in the ninth. Though Bednar had to pitch through traffic both times, the result in both games was zeros on the board in all of those high-leverage innings.
Team USA has not had to play on back-to-back days throughout this tournament, and Monday’s off-day will give them a distinct advantage over their unrested finals opponent.
“The schedule was set up well for us this time, a heck of a lot better [than in 2023],” DeRosa said. “We played three in a row last time, and that kind of taxed our bullpen.”
By the letter of WBC law, the entire U.S. bullpen is available for Tuesday’s tilt. But as always, teams will have their input as DeRosa and pitching coach Andy Pettitte try to put together a plan, and Miller (22 pitches in the semis), Whitlock (16) and Bednar (18) would all be working for the third time in five days.
“If it was up to the guys in the room…” DeRosa said, alluding to his key relievers’ willingness to do what it takes to win this tournament. “Every day presents new challenges.”
If those guys are a go, then Team USA’s overall pitching setup is sitting pretty.
But first things first: It’s McLean on the mound. In the moment he believes he was built for and the moment Team USA has been building toward.