MIAMI — Gunnar Henderson will start at third base over Alex Bregman for the United States in Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic, a decision that manager Mark DeRosa said was based on the pitching matchup against Luis Severino.Henderson, a star shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, is 7 for 9 in his career against the right-handed Dominican pitcher, with a home run, double and four RBIs. Bregman is 5 for 21 in the regular season against Severino with a homer and three RBI.Henderson has also gone 5 for 10 with a double and a homer in two WBC games.“Playing the hot hand right?” DeRosa said ahead of Sunday’s semi. “Gunnar’s got numbers against Severino.”DeRosa added he spoke on Saturday with Bregman, who has gone 2 for 11 in four games, about the benching. “These guys like the lineup out the night before, so I was able to do that, and he was good with it,” DeRosa said. “It’s game on.”Will Smith will start at catcher over Cal Raleigh, who is hitless in nine plate appearances this WBC.Sunday’s game is expected to be a thrilling star-studded matchup, with the Dominicans bringing the hottest lineup in the t …
