Gunnar Henderson Shines, Validating Mark DeRosa’s WBC Predictions – The Athletic
MIAMI — Team USA reached the World Baseball Classic final after a tense 2-1 semifinal win over the Dominican Republic. The victory came in dramatic fashion and set up a gold-medal meeting with Venezuela.
Decisive lineup call
Manager Mark DeRosa faced a tough choice the night before the semifinal. He had to pick between veteran Alex Bregman and young Gunnar Henderson at third base.
DeRosa chose the hotter hitter. Henderson had been swinging well in the tournament and showed a specific edge against Luis Severino.
Game-changing at-bat
Gunnar Henderson Shines was the theme of the fourth inning. Down 1-0 after Junior Caminero’s early solo homer, the United States needed a spark.
Henderson worked a deep count against Severino. On a 94 mph cutter left over the heart of the plate, he crushed a 400-foot home run to right-center.
The blast tied the score and shifted momentum. Severino was removed shortly after, and Roman Anthony added a later homer that decided the game.
Key numbers
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Henderson vs. Severino | 7-for-9, 1 HR, 4 RBI |
| Henderson tournament average | .500 |
Young talent on display
Henderson’s rise has been rapid. He is the Baltimore Orioles’ shortstop and 2023 American League Rookie of the Year.
He also earned All-Star and Silver Slugger honors in 2024. Team USA’s younger players, including Roman Anthony and Paul Skenes, have also stood out.
Managerial vindication
The decision to start Henderson validated DeRosa’s lineup planning. Some critics questioned roster construction after the 2023 final loss to Japan.
Now the manager’s choices look prescient. Coverage framed this moment as Validating Mark DeRosa’s WBC Predictions — Filmogaz.com.
Closing moments
The semifinal ended as a nail-biter. The final out featured a disputed strike call that left fans debating the finish.
Still, Team USA advanced to the gold-medal game for the third straight tournament. One win now stands between them and the title.
- Opponent in final: Venezuela
- Final score in semifinal: USA 2, Dominican Republic 1
- Location: Miami
