Nolan McLean faced continued struggles on the mound as the New York Mets fell 10-3 to the Chicago Cubs in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. The rookie right-hander allowed six runs and six hits over the final two innings, undermining a promising start and extending the team’s pitching difficulties.
McLean pitched effectively through the first four innings, showing signs reminiscent of his performance for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and his solid outing against the Cincinnati Reds in his previous start. However, the fifth inning marked a turning point, with McLean surrendering three runs before manager Carlos Mendoza opted to keep him in the game despite the challenges. Mendoza cited his confidence in McLean’s ability to finish the inning after two early outs as a key factor in the decision.
The right-hander acknowledged that while he felt he had pitched well early on, he struggled to execute in the fifth and gave up some damaging hits in the sixth, including a home run. “I made some good players make some good swings today, and got burned on that homer there in the sixth,” McLean said. Despite the mounting pressure, McLean stated he is focused on approaching each start consistently and is not letting outside factors or the team’s 34-45 record affect him.
The Mets’ pitching staff as a whole has faced persistent challenges this season, ranking 14th in MLB for runs allowed with 361 surrendered, including 40 runs yielded over their last four games. McLean highlighted the mental toll the season has taken on the pitching unit but described ongoing efforts to improve. “The season is definitely testing our mental fortitude,” he said. “Each day, we’re all having conversations with each other, figuring out how we can each get better.”
Manager Mendoza now faces increasing scrutiny as his decisions regarding McLean come under question amid the team’s uneven pitching performances. As the Mets look to halt their slide, the development of their young pitchers like McLean will remain a central focus.