Nolan McLean was making his third career start for the New York Mets on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. In the series’ first two games, the Mets’ starting pitchers did not get past the sixth inning.

In just his third start, McLean absolutely dominated in a 6-0 win for New York over Philadelphia. In the game, he pitched eight innings and gave up four hits. McLean walked no batters and struck out six. He also didn’t approach 100 pitches on the night, which was even more impressive considering the fact that the starting pitching has struggled for most of the season.

Nolan McLean could be the New York Mets’ potential ace moving forward

Mets fans will not dispute that David Peterson has been the best starting pitcher on the team before McLean. Since McLean arrived, the rotation has been different and better. 

During the Phillies matchup, McLean had the Phillies hitters looking confused. He has faced quality lineups in all three games he has appeared in. This could go a long way for the Mets.

The Mets smashed six more home runs on Saturday and Clay Holmes pitched six innings for the first time in more than two months as New York defeated the Braves, 9-2, in Atlanta.

New York has hit 29 home runs in their last 11 games, including Saturday. Four Mets pitchers held the Braves to two runs on just five hits.

• Jeff McNeil got the party started with a three-run shot, and the Mets went on to hit six homers to take a second straight game from Atlanta
• Starling Marte turned in a vintage performance with three hits, two stolen bases, a laser beam throw for a putout at the plate
• Top pitching prospect Jonah Tong was excellent again for Syracuse, and he is reportedly in the conversation to join the big-league roster this year
• Frankie Montas’ disappointing debut season with the Mets is over, as the veteran has a “pretty significant” UCL injury and could need Tommy John surgery
• With Montas out for the year, Huascar Brazoban has been recalled to give the Mets another bullpen arm

The Texas Longhorns will start the 2025 college football season as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, according to the Associated Press‘ Preseason Top 25 College Football Poll.

The Longhorns, who were eliminated by the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, are coming off a 13-3 (7-1 SEC) regular season, their first as a member of the Southeastern Conference. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning, who started multiple games in the absence of Quinn Ewers, will take over as the team’s full-time starter in 2025.

Texas had never previously opened the season as the No. 1 overall team in the AP Top 25. The Penn State Nittany Lions, who were also eliminated in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, rank No. 2 in the preseason poll, followed by defending national champion Ohio State, the Clemson Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs.