Yankees and Tigers Set for Decisive Showdown in 2024 MLB Little League Classic
As the 2024 MLB Little League Classic reaches its climax, the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers are gearing up for the third and deciding game of their series on Sunday evening. With the series currently tied at 1-1, both teams are eager to clinch the victory under the bright lights of Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
The Yankees, who won the series opener 3-0 on Friday, have had a stellar season, leading the American League East with an impressive 73-51 record. They have shown dominance against AL Central teams, boasting a 20-4 record this season. Their opponents, the Detroit Tigers, captured the second game with a 4-0 victory on Saturday and are currently fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record. Against AL East teams, the Tigers hold a fairly even 10-9 record.
Matchup and Betting Odds
Despite the Yankees' formidable stats, Detroit enters Sunday's game as a -123 favorite on the money line according to the latest odds. The over/under for the game is set at 7.5 runs, suggesting a moderately high-scoring affair.
Pitching Duel
Taking the mound for Detroit will be Tarik Skubal, who has emerged as a key player for the Tigers this season. Skubal boasts a solid 14-4 record with a 2.53 ERA. Across his 24 starts, he has pitched 149.1 innings, allowing 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters. Notably, Skubal has secured six wins in his last seven decisions, providing a reliable presence on the mound for the Tigers.
On the other side, New York will rely on Marcus Stroman to guide them to victory. Stroman holds an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA this season. Over his 23 starts, he has pitched 121.1 innings, conceding 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks, while striking out 87 batters. Stroman's recent performance includes a five-inning outing where he allowed only one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. In his earlier encounter with Detroit this season, Stroman pitched 5.1 innings, giving up three hits and one earned run, resulting in a no-decision in a 2-1 win for New York on May 3.
Key Players to Watch
For Detroit, infielder Colt Keith has been a player to watch. Keith went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's game and is hitting .251 this season. His stats include 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI across 112 games. Notably, Keith has displayed an affinity for night games, where he has collected four doubles, three triples, and seven homers.
On the New York side, Aaron Judge is riding a six-game hitting streak, showcasing why he remains one of the Yankees' pivotal players. Judge has delivered four multi-hit performances in his last six games. In the series opener against Texas, Judge went 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored, followed by a double in four at-bats on Saturday. Throughout the season, Judge has impressive stats, hitting .332 with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
Projected Outcome
As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, the stakes are undoubtedly high. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts a combined total of 8.6 runs for the game, slightly higher than the over/under set by the odds. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if the Yankees can leverage their strong record against AL Central teams or if the Tigers can capitalize on Skubal's exceptional pitching to clinch the series.
Sunday's game promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 MLB Little League Classic, with both the Yankees and the Tigers leaving it all on the field in their quest for victory.