Rather than selecting Joe Ryan from the Designated Player Pool, Team USA is using New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean as its starting pitcher against Team Venezuela in the WBC title game at LoanDepot Park in Miami tonight. Lefty Eduardo Rodríguez will make the start for Venezuela.
Team USA making huge mistake by starting Nolan McLean over Joe Ryan in WBC Finals
Team USA may be making a huge mistake by going with McLean over Ryan. McLean has a nasty pitch arsenal, but he lacks big-league experience, making just eight starts with New York last year, and struggled against Team Italy during pool play, surrendering three earned runs on a Kyle Teel solo shot and a Sam Antonacci two-run homer across three innings of work.