The United States will seek greater offensive production and a solid outing from McLean against Venezuela in the Classic final

Miami, Florida. – The United States team is fine-tuning details for the 2026 World Baseball Classic final, where they will face Venezuela with the aim of improving their offensive performance and consolidating their starting pitching.

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The team led by Mark DeRosa has managed to advance to its third consecutive final, although without showing a strong dominance in its recent matches. In its four most recent games, the team has maintained a narrow margin against its rivals, which has generated the need for a more consistent offense. “I still hope our offense explodes,” DeRosa expressed after the 2-1 victory against the Dominican Republic in the semifinals, a result that secured the pass to the championship duel. One of the main focuses for the coaching staff will be the performance of right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean, designated as the starter for the decisive game. In his previous outing against Italy, the young pitcher allowed three earned runs in three innings, including two home runs. Despite this, DeRosa expressed full confidence in the player, highlighting his competitive mentality and his ability to perform in high-demand scenarios. McLean, 24 years old, takes on the challenge as a unique opportunity in his career. The pitcher assured he felt physically ready, after overcoming previous discomfort, and anticipated that he could work between 65 and 70 pitches during the game. The American team will also have a rested bullpen, which would allow them to manage the game with greater flexibility in the final innings. The tournament final will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami, where the United States will seek its second title, while Venezuela will try to conquer its first championship in the history of the tournament. With both teams seeking glory, the offensive performance and McLean’s opening will be decisive in the outcome of the championship.