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The stage is set for what should be a thrilling World Baseball Classic championship game.
But first, let's break down the starting pitching matchup.
New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean will take the mound for Team USA in what will be his second start of the tournament. His first outing ended poorly, allowing three earned runs, including two home runs in three innings, in an upset loss to Italy.
Still, manager Mark DeRosa and the coaching staff are sticking with the hard-throwing right-hander.
"In the eyes of Team USA officials, McLean possesses the best combination of poise and stuff of the available starters," The Athletic's Andy McCullough wrote Tuesday.
Eduardo Rodriguez gets the nod for Venezuela
Thirty-two-year-old Eduardo Rodriguez will start Tuesday's game for Venezuela. The left-hander is a 10-year Major League veteran, currently a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation.
"In large part because of a declining strikeout rate, E-Rod has an ERA over 5 since joining the Diamondbacks prior to 2024, and in this tournament, he was roughed up by that deep Dominican Republic lineup for three runs with two homers in only 2 2/3 innings," MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince wrote Tuesday.
The left-hander posted a career low 3.30 ERA with the Detroit Tigers in 2023, and spent the first six seasons of his career with the Boston Red Sox. Rodriguez has the opportunity to shut down a formidable United States lineup that includes superstar names like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Cal Raleigh.
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