The New York Mets are in a bit of a pickle. They're in the midst of an 11-game losing streak, currently sitting in last place in the NL East. It's been a rough season for the team, but there's a glimmer of hope in the form of rookie pitcher Nolan McLean. With a 2.28 ERA through four starts this season, McLean is proving to be a budding ace, and the Mets are counting on him to turn things around.
McLean's performance is even more impressive when you consider his 2.06 ERA from last season, where he went 5-1 in eight starts. He's been a consistent force on the mound, giving up two runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 career starts. His most recent outing was particularly impressive, as he held the Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto to just two hits and one run over seven innings. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had this to say about McLean's performance: 'He pretty much dominated one of the best lineups in the league.'
McLean's success can be attributed to his mid-90s sinker, which opposing hitters are struggling to hit. Batters are only 3-for-29 against his lead pitch. When he needs to put batters away, he often turns to his curveball, which has been equally effective. Batters have just one hit and have struck out 11 times in the 17 at-bats that have ended on his curve this year. McLean's pitch movement is also unique, with a combination of a sinker and sweeper that is unlike anything else in the MLB, according to Baseball Savant's pitching run value metric.
McLean's value to the Mets is undeniable. With the team in desperate need of a win, McLean's stellar performance is a ray of light in the darkness. If he can continue to pitch like this, the Mets might just turn their season around. It's a testament to the potential of young talent in the MLB, and a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one ace to turn a losing streak into a winning streak.
