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Henderson starts at third over Bregman in WBC Semis
16 Mar
Summary
- Gunnar Henderson will start at third base for the US team.
- Henderson's selection is due to his past success against Severino.
- The Dominican Republic boasts a powerful offense and strong pitching.
Gunnar Henderson has been chosen to start at third base for the United States in Sunday's World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic. This strategic decision by manager Mark DeRosa is influenced by the pitching matchup against Luis Severino, the Dominican Republic's starter.
Henderson, a standout shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, holds an impressive record against Severino, going 7 for 9 with a home run and four RBIs. DeRosa confirmed he communicated this lineup change to Alex Bregman, who will move to the bench for this crucial game. Henderson has also demonstrated strong performance in the WBC, with a 5-for-10 batting line and a home run in two appearances.
The United States faces a formidable opponent in the Dominican Republic, which has showcased an explosive offense throughout the tournament. They have outscored opponents 51-10 and tied a WBC record with 14 home runs. The Dominican manager, Albert Pujols, acknowledged the challenge posed by the United States' ace pitcher Paul Skenes but expressed confidence in his team's potent lineup. If the Dominican Republic advances, Sandy Alcantara is slated to start the final game on Tuesday.
