Nolan McLean Dominates Amidst American Heroes' Spotlight!
The Americans will turn to one of their youngest talents when they take the field for Tuesday's WBC title game.
Who is USA's starting pitcher for championship game? Nolan McLean set to take mound in World Baseball Classic finale originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Somehow, Team USA is through the World Baseball Classic final. The Americans got all they could handle in the form of a Dominican Republic side that boasted the tournament's most explosive offense. But the United States' pitching, defense -- and some spotty umpiring -- lifted the side to a 2-1 win over the Caribbean side, leaving Mark DeRosa's bunch one game away from a tournament crown.
Waiting in the wings for the United States is one of Venezuela or Italy. Neither side will be a pushover; the Italians put Team USA to the sword in an 8-5 win at the end of pool play, while the Venezuelans set aside defending champion Japan to punch its ticket to the semifinals. Suffice to say, Team USA would benefit from a performance similar to that of Paul Skenes' showing from Sunday night.
The hulking twirler was fiery, allowing just one run to help give the United States a chance to secure a win. So, just who will take the mantle from Skenes and attempt to pitch a masterpiece of his own for the Americans in the WBC title game? Here's what you need to know.