Overview
- The Mets will start Nolan McLean in Wednesday’s series finale at Great American Ball Park following the May 25 outing in which the Reds scored a career‑high seven earned runs off him.
- McLean enters the game with a 3–4 record, a 4.01 ERA and 76 1/3 innings over 14 starts this season, and he has shown some short‑term improvement in June.
- Command remains the central concern: since May 14 he ranks last among qualified National League pitchers with 5.52 walks per nine innings and issued four walks in his previous start.
- The Mets’ offense has struggled to convert chances, leaving 23 runners on base and going 3‑for‑23 with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series, increasing the need for a quality start from McLean.
- Lefty Nick Lodolo (2–1, 5.21 ERA) opposes McLean, so the outcome will hinge on McLean’s ability to limit free passes and work deeper into the game to spare the Mets’ bullpen and stave off a sweep.