Mets turn to young ace McLean to halt slide

You may be aware of this: Things have not been going well for the Mets this season.

A team expected to be a contender is currently suffering through an 11-game losing streak and in last place in the NL East.

But … if there has been one bright spot, it has been the continued stellar performance of Nolan McLean, who has looked every bit the part of a burgeoning ace. In desperate need of a win, the Mets turn to the rookie sensation Tuesday night at 7:10 ET when they begin a nine-game homestand against the Twins.

After going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts last season, McLean is starring again with a 2.28 ERA through four starts. In 12 career starts, McLean has given up two runs or fewer in 11. He was electric in his most recent outing, when he went toe-to-toe with Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, allowing just two hits and one run over seven innings.

After the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, "He pretty much dominated one of the best lineups in the league.”

Opposing hitters are 3-for-29 against his lead pitch, which is his mid-90s sinker. But when he needs to put them away, he often turns to his curveball. Batters have one hit and have struck out 11 times in the 17 ABs that have ended on his curve this year.

McLean has been one of the most valuable pitchers in baseball thus far, according to Baseball Savant's pitching run value metric. His +8 pitching run value is tied for fifth in MLB. His pitch movement is like nothing else in MLB.

If ever the Mets needed another stellar performance, it is Tuesday night. And that just means for McLean to continue to do what he’s been doing.