McLean Leads Mets Vs Diamondbacks Into 3-Game Phoenix Series

The Mets vs Diamondbacks series opened in Phoenix with New York carrying a 14-23 record and the worst mark in baseball. McLean is in line to lead the Mets as they try to turn recent series wins into something sturdier against an Arizona club sitting at 17-19.

McLean and New York

McLean has been one of the Mets’ better answers on the mound this season. He has 39.1 innings pitched, 51 strikeouts, 11 walks, two home runs, a 2.50 ERA, a 2.12 FIP and a 75 ERA- in 2026.

That production has not translated into team results. New York has won only one of his seven starts, and two of those seven outings went to extra innings before ending in losses for the Mets.

In five of his seven starts, he has allowed two or fewer earned runs. That gives New York at least one starter capable of limiting damage, even while the overall record leaves little room for mistakes.

Arizona’s pitching edge

The series setup is uneven on the mound. The Mets are getting Arizona’s two worst starters and its best starter across the three games, while New York is throwing its two best pitchers and an unknown.

Nelson is the one who has made the matchup more volatile. He has 31.1 innings pitched, 28 strikeouts, 15 walks, six home runs, a 6.61 ERA, a 5.50 FIP and a 159 ERA- in 2026.

His line includes a brutal April 19 outing against the Blue Jays, when he gave up eight earned runs on eight hits in one-third of an inning. His next start lasted longer but still yielded six earned runs, though he settled down against the Cubs last week.

Diamondbacks trends in Phoenix

Arizona enters at 17-19 after losing 11 of its last 17 games and winning just one of its last six series. That slump gives the Mets a chance to build on their own recent series wins against the Angels and Rockies.

Holmes brings another layer to the trip. He has logged 42.2 innings, struck out 31, walked 14 and allowed three home runs in 2026, giving the Diamondbacks a third pitcher who can shape one game of the series.

At the plate, Corbin Carroll and Ildemaro Vargas have been off to hot starts, while Ketel Marte has been off to a slow start. For the Mets, the immediate task is simple: use McLean’s form and their stronger starters to leave Phoenix with more than the same 14-23 problem they brought with them.