Team USA Benches Bregman for Henderson in WBC Semifinal Showdown

Baltimore Orioles star Gunnar Henderson will start at third base instead of Alex Bregman for Team USA's World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic. Manager Mark DeRosa made the decision based on Henderson's impressive batting statistics against Dominican starter Luis Severino.

MIAMI — Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has chosen Baltimore Orioles standout Gunnar Henderson to man third base instead of Alex Bregman for Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal clash with the Dominican Republic, citing favorable matchup numbers against Dominican starter Luis Severino as the deciding factor.

The Orioles shortstop boasts exceptional numbers against the right-handed Severino, going 7-for-9 lifetime with one home run, a double, and four RBIs. In contrast, Bregman has struggled against the Dominican pitcher during regular season play, managing just 5 hits in 21 at-bats with one homer and three RBIs.

Henderson has maintained his hot streak throughout the tournament, collecting 5 hits in 10 at-bats across two WBC appearances, including a double and home run.

“Playing the hot hand right?” DeRosa explained before Sunday’s semifinal matchup. “Gunnar’s got numbers against Severino.”

The manager revealed he discussed the lineup change with Bregman on Saturday, noting the Houston Astros star has managed only 2 hits in 11 at-bats through four tournament games.

“These guys like the lineup out the night before, so I was able to do that, and he was good with it,” DeRosa explained. “It’s game on.”

Behind the plate, Will Smith will get the starting nod over Cal Raleigh, who has failed to record a hit in nine WBC plate appearances.

Sunday’s semifinal promises to deliver elite-level competition, featuring the Dominican Republic’s tournament-leading offense against what many consider baseball’s premier pitcher in Paul Skenes.

The Dominican squad enters with a perfect 5-0 record, having dominated opponents by a combined score of 51-10 while posting a .312 team batting average. Their 14 home runs have matched the WBC record established by Mexico in 2009.

“Skenes is one of the best pitchers today in the major leagues,” Dominican manager Albert Pujols acknowledged. “But we also have one of the best offenses in this tournament, so it’s going to be power versus power. We’ll try to win.”

Should the Dominican Republic advance to Tuesday’s championship game, Pujols has already committed to starting Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, regardless of whether they face Italy or Venezuela.

“Alcantara will be our pitcher no matter what,” Pujols declared. “If God gives us that opportunity, if we move to the final, Alcantara will be the starter. I’m not going to change it no matter what, no matter if it is Italy or Venezuela. … I trust Sandy, and I hope to be here talking with you on Tuesday.”