The anticipation for the third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic is palpable as the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers prepare to clash on Sunday evening. With the series tied at 1-1, each team has its sights set on victory at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Series Overview
The Yankees struck first in this hard-fought series, securing a 3-0 victory in the opener on Friday. However, the Tigers roared back with a 4-0 shutout on Saturday, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. The Yankees, leading the American League East with an impressive 73-51 record, have been dominant against AL Central teams this season, posting a remarkable 20-4 record.
Conversely, the Tigers, though fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record, have proven to be competitive against AL East opponents, boasting a respectable 10-9 record. With everything on the line, both teams will be looking to their key players to deliver in the clutch.
Pitching Matchup
On the mound for Detroit will be Tarik Skubal, who has been sensational this season. With a 14-4 record and a sparkling 2.53 ERA, Skubal has been a model of consistency. Over 149.1 innings across 24 starts, he has allowed just 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out an impressive 180 batters. Skubal heads into this game with confidence, having won six of his last seven decisions.
The Yankees will counter with Marcus Stroman, who brings an 8-6 record and a 4.01 ERA into the contest. Stroman has given up 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks while registering 87 strikeouts over 121.1 innings in 23 starts. In his most recent outing, Stroman pitched five innings, allowing one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. Earlier this season, Stroman had a solid performance against Detroit, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing just one earned run on three hits, though he did not factor into the decision.
Key Players to Watch
For the Tigers, infielder Colt Keith will be a player to watch. Keith went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's game and is batting .251 this season with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games. Keith has particularly excelled in night games, racking up four doubles, three triples, and seven homers under the lights.
On the Yankees' side, Aaron Judge is riding a six-game hitting streak and has been a force at the plate. Judge has notched four multi-hit performances in his last six games, including a 3-for-3 outing with a homer and two runs scored in Friday's win over Texas. On Saturday, he doubled in four at-bats. For the season, Judge is batting .332 with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games, making him a pivotal player in New York's lineup.
Game Predictions
According to the latest odds, Detroit is a -123 favorite on the money line, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs. The SportsLine Projection Model anticipates a total of 8.6 combined runs for this highly anticipated game, indicating that fans might be in for an offensive showcase.
As the first pitch approaches, scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, the excitement continues to build. Both teams have proven their mettle throughout the series, and with everything on the line, this final game promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 MLB Little League Classic.