The Philadelphia Phillies' rivalry with the New York Mets is one of the notable clashes between the two cities in sports, featuring many unforgettable moments. While the clubs haven't always been good at the same time, that doesn't stop heated moments from happening - or Phillies fans from enjoying the despair of their bitter rivals, as they did in Tuesday night's World Baseball Classic action.
The fan bases still feel the sting of the losses and gloat after the victories. New York one-upped Philadelphia by signing free agent Bo Bichette away from their adversary in the offseason, heightening anticipation for when these franchises meet during the regular season. The Phillies and their fans received a collective gut punch from their division rival, as the franchise thought it was all but certain the infielder would be a Phillie. Undoubtedly, the Phillies' fan base has been waiting for the first moment of Mets slippage to be able to strike back.
Enter promising young Mets pitcher Nolan McLean, who started for Team USA against Team Italy on March 10 in the World Baseball Classic. The phenom pitcher had huge expectations to live up to for the heavily favored United States in the contest. In the end, Phillies fans laughed last at the expense of their primary rival's social media post during the pitcher's outing.
Phillies fans enjoy replies to Mets' Nolan McLean post following his WBC start that went from a gem to a disaster
Following a first inning in which the Mets' top-ranked prospect struck out the side in the top of the first inning for Team USA, New York let everyone know how dangerous a pitcher McLean can be. The Mets and their fanbase were on top of the world, as the young right-hander looked in control.
However, things quickly changed in the second inning, much to the delight of Phillies fans. McLean surrendered a home run to Kyle Teel to put Team Italy ahead 1-0. Next, the tables continued to turn further for the Willow Spring, North Carolina, native as he hit Jac Caglianone with a pitch, and allowed his second home run of the frame to Sam Antonacci, giving Team Italy a 3-0 lead.
Mets always gonna Met. Yall better delete this
— 𝓟𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓵𝔂 (@LockLesnar99) March 11, 2026
The pair of homers was the difference in the game, as the United States suffered an upset 8-6 loss to Italy. The Mets' post quickly became a laughingstock on social media, as people responded to it with their own banter about McLean. Phillies fans couldn't get enough of their rival's misfortune yet again.
The Phillies fanbase has new material to use at their collective disposal this season: New York's promising pitcher looked anything but that in the second inning against Italy in the WBC. Phillies fans will hold the viewpoint that Team USA, despite allowing eight unanswered runs to Italy before nearly initiating an improbable comeback, found themselves in this situation because of McLean's meltdown.
"LOLMets" was in full force on social media in response to the catastrophic turn of events in the second inning for the pitcher. The meme will be frequently used by the Phillies fanbase when referencing his performance against Italy in the WBC.
Ummm they met him in the second
— Samuelito (@metsfanatic4) March 11, 2026
McLean's disaster adds to the notion that the Mets franchise is cursed following the bizarre change of events after the team's social media post. He looked firmly in control as he retired the first five hitters he faced before everything snowballed. The Mets' post, followed by McLean's collapse, helped fuel the dysfunction the organization can't escape.
Phillies fans will relish every minute of McLean's bad inning in the WBC. They'll let it resurface when he pitches against Philadelphia during the regular season. Mets fans will claim the meme is no longer relevant following the organization's success. The pitcher's performance in the WBC is proof that "LOLMets" will always be relevant to the Phillies fanbase. "LOLMets" indeed.