All eyes on Nolan McLean as he makes 2026 debut following strong rookie campaign

The New York Mets won a dramatic, very wind-affected game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, 4-2 in 11 innings. Luis Robert Jr. was able to seal it with a 3-run shot to walk it off. 

Now, as the opening series eyes its conclusion, everyone is patiently awaiting the strut to the mound by Mets up-and-comer Nolan McLean. Following an impressive rookie season in 2025, there are a lot of expectations for the 24-year-old. 

First start of 2026 coming up

With the first pitch just under an hour from now, Citi Field is filling up with eager and anxious hearts as the Mets look to sweep the opening series against the Pirates. McLean can provide his best Paul Skenes-esque performance, as the opening day game did not go so great for the reigning Cy Young award winner.

McLean was 5-1 in 2025, with an ERA of just 2.06. He was called up mid-season last year and immediately made an impact with a 5.1-inning masterpiece against that great Seattle Mariners offense on August 16.  

He kept it up all season long, earning him a spot on the United States World Baseball Classic squad earlier this month. You might remember McLean's last real start was in the WBC Final against Venezuela, where he pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 2 earned runs. 

But now it is onto his 2026 debut with the Mets, and a lot is riding on him to be the perfect bridge between the start of the rotation and the end of it.