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USA baseball lineup vs. Great Britain: Here is the star-studded batting order for 2026 World Baseball Classic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
USA manager Mark DeRosa has to feel a little bit like Dodgers manager Dave Roberts does when he sets his lineup: with all of the options, it's hard to go wrong.
The United States loaded up for the World Baseball Classic after narrowly missing a championship in 2023, putting three of last season's 50-home run hitters on the roster along with elite all-around players such as Bobby Witt Jr.
DeRosa could randomize the order of his lineup and likely still come out with a squad that will intimidate pitchers, but he isn't taking anything for granted as the U.S. tries to squeeze out every advantage it can on the world stage.
Here's a look at Team USA's lineup vs. Great Britain in the Americans' second game of the World Baseball Classic.
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USA baseball lineup vs. Great Britain
This section will be updated when the U.S. reveals its official lineup.
The U.S. hasn't yet revealed it's official lineup for Saturday's game against Great Britain, but a lineup can be expected in the hours leading up to the 8 p.m. ET start time.
Here's a look at how DeRosa set his lineup for the USA's opener against Brazil, with the caveat that Saturday's lineup could be different depending on matchups:
| Spot | Player | Position |
| 1 | Bobby Witt Jr. | SS |
| 2 | Bryce Harper | 1B |
| 3 | Aaron Judge | RF |
| 4 | Kyle Schwarber | DH |
| 5 | Alex Bregman | 3B |
| 6 | Cal Raleigh | C |
| 7 | Roman Anthony | LF |
| 8 | Byron Buxton | CF |
| 9 | Brice Turang | 2B |
There could be a few changes from this lineup to Friday's official opener against Brazil, but here are the key factors DeRosa previewed with his initial lineup:
Witt locked in as Team USA's leadoff hitter
The exhibition lineup vs. San Francisco tipped DeRosa's plans for the top of his everyday Team USA lineup. While the bottom half appears likely to change, the top-four-to-six hitters are likely to remain staples of the Americans' offense.
It shouldn't be too surprising considering his .351/.501/.852 line with 38 stolen bases last MLB season, but Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. appears set to handle leadoff duties for DeRosa. Regarded as one of the few five-tool players in baseball, Witt would bring plenty of on-base skills, power and speed to the No. 1 spot.
Alex Bregman over Gunnar Henderson
With Witt likely earning an every-game role for Team USA, the team might have a bit of a logjam in the infield. The natural answer could have been Witt at shortstop, then Alex Bregman and Gunnar Henderson, two more of MLB's best infielders, at third base and second base.
However, Brice Turang was in the lineup Friday as Team USA's second baseman, leaving Henderson on the bench. Turang went 3-6 with 4 RBI, so DeRosa might not have any reason to reverse course.
Roman Anthony, Byron Buxton land starting roles
Judge should be a regular in DeRosa's order, but the other two outfield spots could change by game, depending how confident the manager is in 21-year-old Roman Anthony.
Roman Anthony and Byron Buxton got the nod for Friday's opener, with Pete Crow-Armstrong on the bench as a potential defensive replacement. Anthony reached base four times, going 2-4 with two walks.
Buxton exited after being hit by a pitch on his elbow, but he avoided injury. Still, Crow-Armstrong can step in if Buxton needs an extra day.
MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026:
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- Full list of players for 20 World Baseball Classic teams
- Best MLB players in WBC, from Aaron Judge to Geraldo Perdomo
- 8 best games to watch on WBC schedule
- Ranking the World Baseball Classic teams from best to worst
Who is Great Britain's starting pitcher?
Great Britain will put right-hander Tyler Viza on the mound for Saturday's contest. Viza, 31, pitched in the Mexican League last season and pitched as high as the triple-A level in the Phillies and Twins systems earlier in his career.
The U.S. is set to start Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on Saturday, but he is reportedly expected to be limited to about 55 pitches.
MORE: Team USA's projected pitching rotation at 2026 WBC
USA World Baseball Classic roster
Pitchers
| Player | Team | Throws |
| David Bednar | New York Yankees | R |
| Matthew Boyd | Chicago Cubs | L |
| Garrett Cleavinger | Tampa Bay Rays | L |
| Clay Holmes | New York Mets | R |
| Griffin Jax | Tampa Bay Rays | R |
| Brad Keller | Philadelphia Phillies | R |
| Clayton Kershaw | -- | L |
| Nolan McLean | New York Mets | R |
| Mason Miller | San Diego Padres | R |
| Paul Skenes | Pittsburgh Pirates | R |
| Tarik Skubal | Detroit Tigers | L |
| Gabe Speier | Seattle Mariners | L |
| Ryan Yarbrough | New York Yankees | L |
| Michael Wacha | Kansas City Royals | R |
| Logan Webb | San Francisco Giants | R |
| Garrett Whitlock | Boston Red Sox | R |
Catchers
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Cal Raleigh | Seattle Mariners | S/R |
| Will Smith | Los Angeles Dodgers | R/R |
Infielders
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Alex Bregman | Chicago Cubs | R/R |
| Ernie Clement | Toronto Blue Jays | R/R |
| Paul Goldschmidt | New York Yankees | R/R |
| Bryce Harper | Philadelphia Phillies | L/R |
| Gunnar Henderson | Baltimore Orioles | L/R |
| Brice Turang | Milwaukee Brewers | L/R |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | Kansas City Royals | R/R |
Outfielders
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Roman Anthony | Boston Red Sox | L/R |
| Byron Buxton | Minnesota Twins | R/R |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | Chicago Cubs | L/L |
| Aaron Judge | New York Yankees | R/R |
Designated Hitter
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Kyle Schwarber | Philadelphia Phillies | L/R |
SN's Daniel Mader contributed to this report.
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