The highly anticipated third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers is set to unfold on Sunday evening. With the series tied at 1-1, fans are eager to see which team will clinch the victory in this thrilling matchup.
Series Recap
The Yankees took the series opener with a commanding 3-0 win on Friday, showcasing their formidable pitching and timely hitting. However, the Tigers rebounded strongly on Saturday, shutting out the Yankees 4-0, thanks to an impressive performance that leveled the series.
Team Standings and Performance
As the American League East leaders, the Yankees hold an impressive 73-51 record. They have dominated AL Central teams this season, with a remarkable 20-4 record. The Tigers, although fourth in the AL Central, have shown resilience with a 60-64 record and a respectable 10-9 record against AL East teams.
Pitching Matchup
The spotlight in Sunday night's game will be on the two starting pitchers. Detroit's Tarik Skubal, with a stellar 14-4 record and a 2.53 ERA, has been a force on the mound. In 24 starts this season, Skubal has allowed 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters over 149.1 innings. Notably, he has secured six wins in his last seven decisions, solidifying his status as a key player for the Tigers.
New York will counter with Marcus Stroman, who holds an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA. Stroman has conceded 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks while striking out 87 batters over 121.1 innings in 23 starts this season. In his last outing, Stroman pitched five innings, giving up one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. His previous encounter with the Tigers on May 3 resulted in a no-decision after he pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run.
Key Players to Watch
The Tigers' infielder Colt Keith, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday, will be a player to watch. Keith has maintained a .251 batting average with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBIs in 112 games this season. His performance in night games has been particularly impressive, with four doubles, three triples, and seven homers.
On the Yankees' side, Aaron Judge is currently riding a six-game hitting streak. Judge has displayed exceptional form with four multi-hit performances in his last six games. Notably, he went 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored in Friday's win over Texas and doubled in four at-bats on Saturday. Judge's season stats are outstanding, with a batting average of .332, 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBIs over 122 games.
Game Odds and Predictions
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. According to the latest odds, Detroit is a -123 favorite on the money line, and the over/under is set at 7.5 runs. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts 8.6 combined runs for the game, suggesting a potentially high-scoring affair.
With the series on the line, both teams will be giving it their all to secure victory. The Yankees will rely on their strong record against AL Central teams and the continued brilliance of Aaron Judge. Meanwhile, the Tigers will hope Tarik Skubal can extend his recent success on the mound and that Colt Keith can contribute significantly to their offensive effort.
As the excitement builds, fans can expect a captivating and hard-fought game from two determined teams looking to emerge victorious in the 2024 MLB Little League Classic finale.