Nolan McLean has started his MLB career brilliantly.
In fact, it's hard to start much better than the New York Mets' rookie right-handed pitcher.
Nobody in MLB history has begun a career quite like McLean has.
The criteria that makes that true through his first two starts, via OptaStats:
- 2-0 record
- sub-1.50 ERA
- sub-.150 opponent batting average
- 15-plus strikeouts
- Fewer than 5 walks
McLean was sharp on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves.
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He went 7.0 innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out seven. His ERA is at 1.46 through two starts.
The Mets made things interesting after McLean departed, as the bullpen gave up five runs in just a pair of innings.
But the offense put up 12 runs, so it was no problem in seeing McLean move to 2-0.
He got lots of help from the lineup, which totaled 21 hits.
Brett Baty had four hits. Francisco Lindor. Juan Soto, Tyrone Taylor and Cedric Mullins all tallied three hits apiece. Soto hit the Mets' only home run, but the bats did plenty inside the yard to get it done.
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McLean was a top prospect expected to be good, and so far, he has been as advertised.
Mets' fans will be hoping he continues this brilliant run going forward, because it's been a lot of fun so far.
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