USA turns to rookie starter Nolan McLean in WBC final vs. Venezuela

MIAMI -- Team USA is on the cusp of fulfilling the high expectations attached to its star-studded roster as it takes on a motivated Team Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic championship game Tuesday night.

Venezuela will play in its first-ever WBC final after a spirited 4-2 comeback win on Monday in the semifinals, ending Italy's Cinderella run. The United States advanced on Sunday after rallying for a 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic.

The U.S., 3-2 all-time against Venezuela in the WBC, will send right-hander Nolan McLean, a rookie starter for the New York Mets, to the mound in the final. Venezuela will counter with Arizona Diamondbacks veteran left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez.

Team USA is seeking its second-ever WBC title as it makes its third consecutive appearance in the final. The U.S. is looking for redemption after coming up short in the 2023 final against Japan.

"I think you're crazy if you don't want to do this, honestly," McLean said on Monday. "Just getting the opportunity to put that 'USA' on your chest and go out there and compete with honestly the best players in the world, I think it's an unbelievable experience for me."

Venezuela continued to play inspired baseball on Monday night against Italy, scoring three runs in the seventh inning to rally from a 2-1 deficit.

The Venezuelan players and coaches talked about the importance of bringing joy to their families and their nation if they can secure one more triumph.

"This is what I dreamed of. What could I do to put my little grain in the sand to try and make my country happy?" Venezuela manager Omar Lopez said after the latest win. "It's a dream I tried to preach to everyone on this team -- to be in this position and have a chance to do this."

Rodriguez, who is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 once the major league season gets underway, pitched 2 2/3 innings in Venezuela's only loss of the tournament, against the Dominican Republic on March 11. The 32-year-old struck out five while allowing three runs on three hits, including two home runs, and one walk.

McLean, 24, also made his lone start in his team's lone loss of the Classic, giving up three runs on two hits, including two homers, over three innings against Italy. McLean struck out four and walked two in that outing on March 10.

Maikel Garcia has been one of the top hitters in a resilient Venezuelan lineup. The Kansas City Royals third baseman has gone 10-for-23 (.435) with two doubles, a homer and six RBIs.

"Maikel is a super baseball player," Lopez said. "He knows how to manage everything that happens in the game. He's like a manager. There can be 70,000 people cheering and it doesn't faze him."

On Monday, the U.S. was still answering questions regarding the final strike call from the Sunday semifinal. Mason Miller struck out the Dominican Republic's Geraldo Perdomo to end the game on a ball that many felt was below the strike zone.

"You know, watching that ball back on replay, I can understand why Dominicans are upset about it," USA manager Mark DeRosa said. "I love the class and I have a ton of respect for the way that (Dominican manager) Albert Pujols handled the postgame."

Miller got the save in each of the USA's two knockout-round victories, but his availability for the final was uncertain pending the approval of his major league team, the San Diego Padres.

--Field Level Media