Mets’ rookie is showing he has what it takes.
The Mets felt they had a good chance of winning the series finale against the Chicago Cubs. They had the right guy going on the mound in Nolan McLean. After David Peterson and Jonah Tong flopped and left early in the first two games, they could count on their rookie to give them innings and a quality start.
On Thursday evening, Nolan McLean struck out a career-high 11 hitters and allowed five runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 8-5 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He improved to 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in eight starts since making his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners on Aug 16 at Citi Field. Hitters are hitting .200 against him.
Not only is he the ace of the Mets by merit, but he also earned the right to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card series next week if the Mets win the last wild-card spot.
You knew McLean would not be denied on this night when he struck out the side in the second inning. Then, when the 2023 third-round draft pick had a 3-0 lead to work with in the third inning, he walked Dansby Swanson. A leadoff walk can set off a chain reaction to a bad inning, but McLean ensured that did not happen by striking out Matt Shaw and Michael Busch, and getting Nico Hoerner to ground out to end the inning.
McLean vs. the Cubs (photo, Bolavip)
Watching the Mets’ rookie phenom pitch is a beautiful sight. He makes it look easy to get guys out. He does a great job forcing guys to swing at his pitches, as he induced 13 swings and misses against the Cubs. He uses different looks to get guys out, from cutter to sinker to fastball to changeup.
This is something no one can teach. Either a pitcher has that ability, or he does not. Just from the eye test itself, McLean has shown that he is an elite pitcher.
More often than not, it takes a while for a pitcher to develop. We are seeing growing pains with Tong to the point it’s fair to wonder if his development could be hurt by calling him up when he is not ready. Brandon Sproat has been okay.
But McLean has shown that the moment is not big for him. In fact, he welcomes it. In so many ways, he has a little Matt Harvey in him. Brashness and cockiness come with the package of being great.
In all of the rookie’s eight starts, he has exhibited greatness to the point that his starts have become a personal showcase.
In a game the Mets had to win, McLean stepped up. He understood what was at stake. He was more than ready. It’s like watching an accomplished veteran knowing what he’s doing out there. It’s no wonder the Mets felt good about their chances.
One can’t help but wonder if the Mets’ president of baseball operations should have called up McLean even earlier when Frankie Montas was a lost cause. Maybe the Mets wouldn’t be in the position of fighting for the last wild-card spot.
Getting run support makes McLean’s job easy, but even if he were engaged in a pitching duel against his counterpart, you get the sense he would be up to the task of matching zeroes each time.
Yes, the kid lost his command in the sixth inning. This happens, especially when a pitcher has a big lead to work with and loses focus.
Just watching McLean pitch, the Mets must find a way to make the postseason so that we won’t be denied watching him pitch.
Seeing him go up against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, or Milwaukee Brewers would have everyone’s attention. He gives the Mets a chance to win a championship just by pitching in the postseason. He’s on his way to being a star locally and nationally. If he does well in the postseason, he will definitely be the talk of the town.
It’s hard to say if Tuesday night was the biggest start of his career. You can make a case that any of his eight starts were this season, considering the Mets needed that.
There should be no more questions about the kid’s ability and makeup. McLean is made for this.
