The third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic is set to be a thrilling showdown between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers on Sunday evening. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting contest at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
New York Yankees won the series opener 3-0 on Friday, only to see the Detroit Tigers bounce back with a 4-0 victory on Saturday, leveling the series at 1-1. As the teams prepare for the final clash, a lot is riding on the shoulders of their respective starting pitchers.
Pitching Matchup
Detroit will send Tarik Skubal to the mound. Skubal has been a standout performer this season, boasting a 14-4 record with an impressive 2.53 ERA. Over 149.1 innings across 24 starts, Skubal has allowed 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters. An excellent form run has seen Skubal secure six wins in his last seven decisions, marking him as a formidable obstacle for the Yankees.
On the other side, New York will counter with Marcus Stroman. Stroman comes into the game with an 8-6 record and a 4.01 ERA. Over 121.1 innings in 23 starts, he has allowed 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks while striking out 87. In his last outing, Stroman pitched five innings, conceding one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. Notably, Stroman's first encounter with Detroit this season ended in a no-decision in a 2-1 win on May 3, during which he pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run.
Team Form and Player Highlights
The New York Yankees, currently leading the American League East with a record of 73-51, have been particularly dominant against AL Central teams this season, with a record of 20-4. Key to their success has been the stellar performance of Aaron Judge, who is currently on a six-game hitting streak. Judge has delivered 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. For the season, Judge is hitting .332 with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
The Detroit Tigers, sitting fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record, have shown resilience against AL East teams, posting a 10-9 record this season. Infielder Colt Keith has been a bright spot for the Tigers, registering a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI on Saturday. Keith is batting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games this season. His consistency under the lights is underscored by his tally of four doubles, three triples, and seven homers in night games this year.
Odds and Projections
According to the latest odds, Detroit is a -123 favorite on the money line for Sunday's game. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs, reflecting a closely matched contest. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts 8.6 combined runs for the game, hinting at a competitive and potentially high-scoring affair.
With the series on the line and both teams bringing their A-game, the 2024 MLB Little League Classic promises to be a memorable event. Fans can expect a tightly contested matchup, with both Skubal and Stroman set to play pivotal roles. Will the Yankees' superiority against AL Central teams continue, or will the Tigers leverage their night-time resilience for a series-clinching victory? All eyes will be on Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as these teams battle it out under the lights.