Team USA still has strong arms available for the final game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic as it tries to capture the long awaited championship. The pitcher expected to defend the mound is Nolan McLean, who recently had a difficult outing against Italy.
“Mets starter Nolan McLean will start Tuesday in the championship game for USA as planned,” wrote Bob Nightengale on X, referencing what Team USA manager Mark DeRosa recently confirmed about the plan on the mound for the tournament’s final game.
However, McLean’s numbers were rough in the game against Italy, the final pool stage matchup for the national team. He worked 3.0 innings on the mound and allowed three runs, two home runs and two hits. He threw 55 pitches and recorded just four strikeouts, making it a tough outing for the young pitcher.
McLean still backed to be the starter
After that difficult performance against Italy, McLean has not lost the confidence of his coaches. The staff has spoken positively about him and expects him to deliver in the final game of the WBC, whether it comes against Italy or Venezuela. Both teams feature dangerous hitters.
“We just feel really good about his stuff,” pitching coach Andy Pettitte told Michelle Margaux of SNY. “I know he’s very confident and he’s a kid that has a lot of confidence in his abilities, and we think he’s going to be a great fit for us in that game.”
see also
Aaron Judge says World Baseball Classic crowds top the World Series
It is also worth remembering that McLean made his professional debut with the New York Mets in 2025. In his first MLB season he made eight starts and finished the year with a strong 2.06 ERA. He is still a young arm, but projections suggest he could have a solid 2026 season with at least 10 wins and a 3.32 ERA, according to Marcels projections from Baseball Reference.
