Overview
- Team USA names Mets rookie Nolan McLean to start opposite Venezuela left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez in the championship at loanDepot Park.
- Manager Mark DeRosa restores Alex Bregman and Byron Buxton to the lineup and starts Will Smith at catcher, leaving Cal Raleigh on the bench.
- DeRosa says closer Mason Miller is available after recent usage, but David Bednar’s status remains uncertain as teams weigh spring workloads.
- Oddsmakers list the U.S. as a slight favorite, with betting markets projecting a higher-scoring game than the 2-1 semifinal versus the Dominican Republic.
- Starters face a 95-pitch cap in the final, increasing the likelihood of piggybacking and placing added importance on bullpen depth after Venezuela’s relievers covered 7 2/3 innings Monday.