USA baseball makes two lineup changes for WBC final vs. Venezuela

Mark DeRosa has made two changes to Team USA’s lineup for Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela.

Third baseman Gunnar Henderson and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, both of whom started the semifinal win over the Dominican Republic, are sitting as Alex Bregman and Byron Buxton are back in the lineup with Venezuela starting southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez.

Mets rookie pitcher Nolan McLean is starting for the U.S.

The U.S. is rolling out its usual top four with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. leading off ahead of first baseman Bryce Harper, right fielder Aaron Judge and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

Bregman will hit fifth ahead of left fielder Roman Anthony, catcher Will Smith and second baseman Brice Turang, with Buxton hitting ninth.

Ronald Acuna Jr. is leading off and playing right field for Venezuela, followed by third baseman Maikel Garcia, first baseman Luis Arraez, designated hitter Eugenio Suarez, second baseman Gleyber Torres, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, left fielder Wilyer Abreu, catcher Sal Perez and center fielder Jackson Chourio.

A new champion will be crowned as Venezuela knocked off defending champion Japan in the quarterfinals before dispatching Italy in the semis. Japan beat the U.S. in the 2023 final.

The U.S. won the previous WBC in 2017.

Tuesday’s broadcast starts at 8 p.m. on Fox.