Team USA’s Top 3 Lineup Decisions for WBC Final

The article digs into the tricky, three-pronged lineup choice facing U.S. manager Mark DeRosa before the World Baseball Classic final against Venezuela.

It highlights the big decisions at catcher, infield, and center field. DeRosa’s weighing recent WBC performances, defensive numbers, and how each option matches up with Venezuela’s starter, Eduardo Rodriguez.

Catchers: Raleigh’s glove and Smith’s bat in a high-stakes call

DeRosa’s got two very different catchers to consider. The decision might come down to defense, experience with Rodriguez, and who’s actually hitting right now.

Cal Raleigh brings better defense and a switch-hitting look. He’s also had more success against Rodriguez in his career.

Cal Raleigh

  • Defensive supremacy and strong game-calling make Raleigh steady behind the plate.
  • Left-right balance as a switch-hitter gives some lineup flexibility and a shot to take advantage of Rodriguez’s splits.
  • WBC record is a rough 0-for-9, so his timing and confidence might be a question mark.

    • Will Smith

  • Hot bat in the tournament, going 3-for-10 with a double, so he’s got some offensive momentum.
  • Momentum from the semifinal has Smith feeling confident and locked in at the plate.

    • Infield decisions: Shortstop and third base hinge on bat control and matchup

    The infield choices are less about routine and more about strategy. DeRosa’s juggling handedness, defense, and how guys have hit Venezuela’s pitching.

    Bobby Witt Jr. looks set to stay at shortstop, while Nolan Henderson has jumped to third. That’s shifted things in the middle of the order.

    Henderson’s been on fire at third, hitting .429 with two homers. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman’s struggled at the plate (.182) but drawn five walks with his usual patience.

    Shortstop

  • Bobby Witt Jr. is still the likely starter at short, bringing athletic range and base-stealing threat that could matter late in the game.

    • Third base

  • Nolan Henderson moved to third and has delivered, hitting .429 with two homers as a lefty in a mostly right-handed lineup.
  • Alex Bregman offers veteran experience, plus plate discipline (five walks) even if his bat’s been quiet (.182).
  • Defensive considerations might favor Bregman, with Outs Above Average giving him a slight edge, but Henderson’s current form and lefty bat keep things interesting.

    • The matchup against Rodriguez adds more wrinkles. Bregman’s right-handed bat against the lefty Rodriguez, or Henderson’s lefty swing, could both make sense depending on how the game unfolds and what DeRosa thinks will work best in the moment.

    Center field: Crow-Armstrong’s hot bat and Buxton’s speed and track record

    In center, DeRosa’s got a classic dilemma—go with the hot hand or proven tools? Pete Crow-Armstrong is tearing it up with a 1.074 OPS and great defense, making a strong case for himself.

    Byron Buxton brings elite sprint speed, top defense, and a knack for sparking the lineup in big moments. He’s lived up to his All-Star billing in 2025.

    Pete Crow-Armstrong

  • Offense—he’s on a tear with a 1.074 OPS, so he’s a reliable table-setter with some pop.
  • Defense—his glove and range are elite, covering gaps and making tough plays look easy.

    • Byron Buxton

  • All-Star pedigree and elite speed make Buxton a real weapon on the bases. He can turn a quiet at-bat into a scoring chance in a blink.
  • Workload considerations—the 2025 season has seen him used a lot. That could affect late-inning moves and how DeRosa thinks about substitutions.

    • DeRosa faces a tricky call. He has to balance recent WBC performance, defensive stats, and how hitters match up against Venezuela’s starter.

    It’s not just about numbers. There’s an art to mixing offense and defense, guessing how to use right-handed power bats against Eduardo Rodriguez’s lefty arm, or maybe letting Henderson’s lefty swing take a shot.

    When DeRosa writes that lineup, it’ll show more than stats. It’s about his gut, the moment, and who he trusts to deliver when the pressure’s on.

     
    Here is the source article for this story: 3 big lineup decisions facing Team USA in Classic final

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