Overview
- McLean threw seven innings and allowed one unearned run while scattering two hits in a 6-2 win over the Astros on Aug. 29, lowering his ERA to roughly 3.06.
- He relied overwhelmingly on his fastball arsenal — sinker, cutter and four-seam — using roughly 76–82% of his pitches as fastballs and recording only four strikeouts as he induced weak contact.
- The Mets' offense supplied timely support with Juan Soto returning from a 31-game injured-list absence and delivering the go-ahead RBI, Jared Young going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, and Francisco Alvarez ending a slump with a two-run double.
- The bullpen preserved the lead late, with Daniel Duarte allowing a solo homer in the eighth and Kodai Senga navigating a scoreless ninth despite a Jose Altuve leadoff double.
- McLean’s August resurgence, recent low-run string and improved metrics have intensified Rookie of the Year and rotation-talk and put pressure on September roster decisions as Triple-A candidates like Jonah Tong push for spots.