McLean (5-1) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 5.1 innings to earn the win Thursday over the Cubs.
This was the worst of McLean's eight major-league outings so far, but he was able to snap a three-start winless stretch. Seiya Suzuki had two home runs and Dansby Swanson also went yard, with those three long balls accounting for all of the season-high five runs on McLean's line in his first start allowing multiple homers. The 11 strikeouts also represented a season high for a single game across all levels. The rookie right-hander ends the regular season with a 2.06 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 57:16 K:BB through 48 innings over eight starts in the majors. Should the Mets qualify for the last National League wild-card spot, McLean is projected to take the hill for a start.
McLean didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Nationals, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Errors by Juan Soto and Pete Alonso in the second inning helped put Mclean in a 3-0 hole before he was lifted after 92 pitches (59 strikes), but the Mets' offense got him off the hook for the loss before the game slipped away in the 11th. The rookie right-hander has yet to give up more than two earned runs in a big-league start, and through his first 42.2 innings he sports a 1.27 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB. Per Tim Britton of the Athletic, McLean lines up to make his final start of the regular season Thursday on the road against the Cubs, which would set him up to pitch in Game 1 of the playoffs, but first the Mets have to get there -- they're just one game up on the Reds for the final wild-card spot in the NL, with the Diamondbacks two games back.
McLean did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning win over Texas. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings.
McLean worked around a few light threats to deliver another stellar performance. He's given up two or fewer runs in each of his first six career MLB outings, with four of those being quality starts. The only criticism at the moment would be the eight walks he's issued over his last 17.1 frames. McLean now owns a terrific 1.19 ERA with a 40:12 K:BB through 37.2 innings. He's lined up for a nice home matchup against Washington next weekend.
McLean (4-1) took the loss Monday at Philadelphia, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings with five strikeouts.
Despite being saddled with his first loss, the rookie right-hander held his own against the division-leading Phillies in this 91-pitch outing. McLean generated a solid 13 whiffs, as he's tallied five or more Ks in each of his first five starts. The 24-year-old now sports a sterling 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 31.2 total frames. He currently lines up to make his next appearance at home against Texas this weekend.
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