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Team USA is ready for the World Baseball Classic championship game on Tuesday night against Venezuela.
And three talented players won't be a part of the lineup for the U.S. in the final of the WBC, at least to start the contest.
Cal Raleigh, Gunnar Henderson and Pete Crow-Armstrong are all on the bench to begin the game in the lineup put together by manager Mark DeRosa.
Tonight's starting lineup in the World Baseball Classic Championship Game against Venezuela pic.twitter.com/JApvM7KDL4
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 17, 2026There's a logical reason for all three.
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Why isn't Cal Raleigh playing for Team USA in WBC final?
Raleigh isn't starting because he's struggled in this tournament. He was benched for the semifinal, too.
Will Smith, the Dodgers catcher, starts instead.
Raleigh is hitless in the tournament, and if he's going to get any involvement here, it'll likely be as a late-game pinch-hitter.
Why isn't Gunnar Henderson playing for Team USA in WBC final?
Henderson isn't starting because of the platoon matchup.
Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Venezuela, and Henderson bats lefty. Right-handed Alex Bregman will start at third base instead.
Henderson came to the WBC as a backup and played his way into the lineup, but DeRosa will play the matchups here.
Why isn't PCA playing for Team USA in WBC final?
Pete Crow-Armstrong also falls victim to the platoon matchup.
The left-on-left of PCA vs. E-Rod is rejected in favor of starting righty-hitting Byron Buxton in centerfield.
If the U.S. is up late in the game, Crow-Armstrong could join Buxton to improve the outfield defense.
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