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USA Bench Stars for Venezuela WBC Final Showdown
18 Mar
Summary
- Three key players, Raleigh, Henderson, and Crow-Armstrong, will not start.
- Manager DeRosa is using platoon matchups against Venezuela's lefty pitcher.
- Will Smith starts at catcher, Alex Bregman at third, and Byron Buxton in center.
Team USA is preparing for the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela. However, manager Mark DeRosa has made notable changes to the starting lineup, opting to keep Cal Raleigh, Gunnar Henderson, and Pete Crow-Armstrong on the bench.
Raleigh's exclusion stems from his struggles during the tournament; he was also benched for the semifinal. Will Smith will take his place behind the plate. Henderson and Crow-Armstrong are sidelined due to platoon matchups against Venezuela's lefty starter, Eduardo Rodriguez. Alex Bregman will start at third base, and Byron Buxton will play center field.
These strategic substitutions indicate a focus on matchups. Henderson, who earned his spot in the lineup through performance, will be held back for favorable situations. Similarly, Crow-Armstrong's outfield role might be utilized later in the game to enhance defense if the U.S. holds a lead.
