If you’re a Mets fan thinking about Nolan McLean’s World Baseball Classic start, the opponent mattered more than you might think.
And in the end, he got the toughest possible challenge.
The Final Opponent: Venezuela
Team USA ultimately faced Venezuela in the WBC championship — not Italy.
That alone changed the entire dynamic of McLean’s outing.
Instead of a familiar opponent like Italy — a team that had already seen him and even taken him deep earlier in the tournament — McLean was matched up against one of the hottest, most complete teams in the field.
Venezuela had just knocked off Italy in the semifinals and rode that momentum all the way to a championship win over Team USA.
Why Italy Would’ve Been the “Development” Pick
There was a strong argument that facing Italy again would’ve been better for McLean’s long-term growth.
Italy had already gotten to him once, tagging him for multiple home runs in an earlier matchup.
A rematch would have forced him to adjust — something young pitchers must learn quickly at the MLB level. Facing the same lineup twice in a short span is a completely different challenge than seeing hitters for the first time.
That kind of adversity can accelerate development.
Venezuela Offered a Different Kind of Test
Instead, McLean faced a deeper, more dangerous lineup.
Venezuela’s offense featured elite contact hitters and power threats, and their pitching staff had been dominant throughout the knockout rounds.
This wasn’t about adjustments — it was about execution under pressure.
And that matters too.
The Bigger Picture for Mets Fans
Whether you preferred Italy or Venezuela as the opponent depends on what you value more:
- Italy matchup → Better for learning adjustments and dealing with familiarity
- Venezuela matchup → Better for testing raw ability against elite competition
In reality, McLean got the latter — and that’s not a bad thing.
What Mets Fans Should Actually Root For
The original idea that Mets fans should “root against” McLean isn’t really about failure — it’s about growth.
And growth comes in different forms:
- Getting hit and learning to adjust
- Or battling top-tier talent in high-pressure moments
McLean’s WBC final start checked the second box.
The Outcome Still Matters Less Than the Experience
Yes, Team USA fell short in the final.
But for McLean, the takeaway isn’t the result — it’s the reps:
- Pitching on the biggest international stage
- Facing elite hitters
- Handling pressure few young pitchers experience this early
That’s invaluable.
Final Thought
If Mets fans were hoping for a perfect developmental scenario, Italy might’ve been ideal.
But if they wanted to see what McLean is made of?
Facing Venezuela in the championship was the ultimate test.
And in the long run, that might be even more important.
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