Team USA Overhauls Starting Lineup for WBC Game vs. Great Britain

Manager Mark DeRosa makes several changes to the lineup for the second World Baseball Classic game.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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USA manager Mark DeRosa has made significant changes to the Team USA lineup for their second World Baseball Classic game against Great Britain. The new starters include Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Will Smith at catcher, Ernie Clement at second base, and Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field, replacing Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh, Brice Turang, and Byron Buxton respectively. Tarik Skubal, a free agent after the season expected to command a $400 million contract, will start on the mound for Team USA.

Why it matters

With a crucial second-round WBC matchup against Great Britain, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has decided to shake up the starting lineup in an effort to find the right combination of players to advance in the tournament. These lineup changes could have significant implications for the team's performance and their chances of winning the WBC title.

The details

The new starters for Team USA include Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Will Smith at catcher, Ernie Clement at second base, and Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. These players are replacing Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh, Brice Turang, and Byron Buxton respectively. Tarik Skubal, a Detroit Tigers pitcher who is a free agent after the season and expected to command a $400 million contract, will start on the mound for Team USA.

  • The game against Great Britain is scheduled for March 7, 2026.

The players

Mark DeRosa

The manager of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Gunnar Henderson

The new starting shortstop for Team USA, replacing Bobby Witt Jr.

Will Smith

The new starting catcher for Team USA, replacing Cal Raleigh.

Ernie Clement

The new starting second baseman for Team USA, replacing Brice Turang.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

The new starting center fielder for Team USA, replacing Byron Buxton.

Tarik Skubal

The starting pitcher for Team USA, who is a free agent after the season and expected to command a $400 million contract.

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What they’re saying

“With a crucial second-round WBC matchup against Great Britain, we need to find the right combination of players to advance in the tournament.”

— Mark DeRosa, Team USA Manager (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The outcome of the game against Great Britain will determine Team USA's path in the 2026 World Baseball Classic tournament.

The takeaway

Team USA's lineup changes for the WBC game against Great Britain highlight the importance of finding the right mix of players to succeed in high-stakes international baseball competitions. The team's performance in this game could have significant implications for their chances of winning the WBC title.