Who To Watch In The WBC Final: Nolan McLean Carries United States' Hopes, Angel Zerpa Shuts It Down For Venezuela

The World Baseball Classic championship game is set. The United States will face Venezuela on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET at loanDepot Park in Miami.

It will be the first championship game appearance for Venezuela, while the Americans lost in the 2023 title game after winning it all in 2017.

The U.S. (5-1) will be rested following its day off on Monday after a 2-1 triumph over the Dominican Republic on Sunday, with its entire bullpen available. Venezuela (6-0) used seven pitchers in Monday's 4-2 win over previously unbeaten Italy, the Cinderella of this WBC. Only starter Keider Montero and reliever Luinder Avila are unavailable due to throwing more than 30 pitches with a game the next day.

There is also a political undertone to this game after the U.S. administration stormed the Venezuelan capital in the middle of the night to capture President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to America.

Here are some players to keep an eye on today:

Nolan McLean, United States

With a whopping eight career MLB starts and a previous one in the WBC, the 24-year-old New York Mets right-hander takes the ball to start the championship game. McLean was the starter against Italy, where the U.S. was upset by Italy 8-6 in the final game of pool play. He went three innings, allowing two hits, both home runs, and three runs with two walks and three strikeouts. The homers were by Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci, both of the Chicago White Sox. He will need to be sharper this time around in the biggest game he has pitched to date.

Garrett Whitlock, United States

The 29-year-old Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever has had it on lock in his three WBC appearances. Whitlock has been part of a nasty trio at the back of the American bullpen with Mason Miller and David Bednar. Whitlock has the only non-Miller save, securing the 5-3 win over Mexico. Otherwise, Whitlock has been the eighth-inning guy, following Bednar and setting up Miller. In three innings, he has allowed one hit and struck out five, with no walks. Whitlock earned a hold in the 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic in the semifinals, striking out Juan Soto, getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground out, and striking out Manny Machado.

Angel Zerpa, Venezuela

If you were wondering why the Milwaukee Brewers traded outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed reliever for the 26-year-old, the WBC has shown why. The hard-throwing left-hander has pitched in five of the six Venezuela games, including in the semifinal win. With Venezuela trailing 2-1, he came in with a runner on second and one out and got Jon Berti to fly out, hit Jakob Marsee, and struck out Captain Espresso himself, Vinnie Pasquantino, then showing his emotions as he headed toward the dugout. Zerpa has pitched 4 ⅔ innings and hasn't allowed a run, allowing four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. He will look good in that Brewers bullpen.

Javier Sanoja, Venezuela

The 23-year-old Kansas City Royals outfielder has only played in two of Venezuela's games, but he has had an impact when called upon. Sanoja is 3-for-8 with his only RBI coming on a go-ahead homer in a 6-2 win over the Netherlands. Sanoja is in a bench role with Venezuela due to the presence of three established MLB outfielders in Ronald Acuna Jr., Jackson Chourio, and Wilyer Abreu, but should he get called upon to pinch-hit in the championship game, he is the type of player who could provide that surprise spark.