It’s been quite easy to get caught up in the results of Nolan McLean’s rookie season, to become enamored with the electric stuff leaving his hand as he reached double-digit wins with a seven-inning gem in his previous outing vs. Houston. But according to interim manager Andy Green, the massive strides McLean has made in 2026 -- which showed up in a start where he only notched four strikeouts -- are impressive in a slightly different light. “He didn’t punch out as many as he used to, or usually does, and he was just economical from an outing perspective,” Green said before Friday’s series opener vs. the Giants at Citi Field. “So, I think when you’re capable of reading the game that way, utilizing your arsenal in a way that gets you deeper into it, that has evolved from where he started this season. “He’s also had the opportunity to respond to some adversity this year. I think that just gives guys more solid footing when they’ve gone through a tough stretch like that.” McLean had to use that intangible on Friday, battling to provide the length after the Mets offense hit three home runs in the first two innings, giving the right-hander a bit of cushion. It wasn’t his cleanest outing -- he ran into some trouble in the third frame, allowing a couple of walks and a loud two-run double to Rafael Devers. But McLean earned the win in New York’s 10-6 victory, notching seven strikeouts while giving up just two runs on six hits and four walks over six innings. McLean notched his fifth consecutive quality start (18th of the season). Those 18 quality starts are the most by a Mets rookie since Dwight Gooden (21) and Ron Darling (22) in 1984. “Ah, lucky,” McLean said when asked to describe his night. “You never really want to get into that much traffic, but I made some big pitches when it really mattered there -- with the double play, and then going back out for the sixth and making pitches.”
