New Headline: "Mets' Steady Strides Lead to 4-0 World Series Victory

“If you work your whole life at something, you want to be put in these spots,” McLean said Monday. “It’s just a dream come true to be able to get the ball ...

Nolan McLean is ready for this moment. With a World Baseball Classic championship on the line, Team USA is turning to the standout Mets rookie to start Tuesday night’s final at LoanDepot Park in Miami. McLean wouldn’t have it any other way.

“If you work your whole life at something, you want to be put in these spots,” McLean said Monday. “It’s just a dream come true to be able to get the ball in such a big moment. ” McLean’s comments came hours before Team Italy and Team Venezuela squared off in the semifinals on Monday night, so the right-hander didn’t yet know whom he would be facing in Tuesday’s winner-take-all tilt.

But what was certain was McLean’s confidence. That much was clear before the WBC even started. At the time, Team USA hitting coach Matt Holliday advocated for McLean, even though the right-hander has made only eight MLB starts in his career.