As the 2024 MLB Little League Classic reaches its climax, the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers are preparing for a showdown on Sunday evening at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams are determined to secure the win in this pivotal third game.
Series Recap
The Yankees took the opener in commanding fashion, shutting out the Tigers 3-0 on Friday. However, the Tigers roared back on Saturday, leveling the series with a 4-0 victory. With the deciding game set to be a thrilling contest, fans are eagerly anticipating which team will emerge victorious.
Team Performance
Entering the game, the New York Yankees boast an impressive record. Leading the American League East, they hold a 73-51 record and have been dominant against AL Central teams this season, with a 20-4 record. The Detroit Tigers, on the other hand, sit fourth in the AL Central at 60-64, and have a respectable 10-9 record against AL East teams.
Starting Pitchers
On the mound for the Tigers is Tarik Skubal, a formidable pitcher with a 14-4 record and a 2.53 ERA. Over 149.1 innings in 24 starts, Skubal has demonstrated his prowess, allowing only 109 hits and striking out 180 batters. With six wins in his last seven decisions, Skubal is a key player for Detroit.
Opposing Skubal is Marcus Stroman of the Yankees. Stroman carries an 8-6 record and a 4.01 ERA into the game. Throughout the season, in 23 starts over 121.1 innings, he has allowed 118 hits, issued 52 walks, and struck out 87 batters. In his last outing, he went five innings, giving up just one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 win over the Texas Rangers. Interestingly, Stroman's first encounter with the Tigers this season resulted in a no-decision, despite pitching 5.1 solid innings and allowing only one earned run.
Key Players
For the Tigers, infielder Colt Keith has been a standout. Keith went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday, and his season stats are notable: batting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI over 112 games. His performance in night games has been particularly impressive, with four doubles, three triples, and seven homers.
Meanwhile, Aaron Judge of the Yankees has been on a tear, riding a six-game hitting streak. Judge has produced four multi-hit performances in his last six games, including a stellar night on Friday when he went 3-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored. Judge’s season stats are outstanding: a .332 batting average with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
The Odds and Projections
As game time approaches at 7:10 p.m. ET, the odds favor Detroit slightly, with the Tigers listed as a -123 favorite on the money line. The over/under for the game is set at 7.5 runs. According to the SportsLine Projection Model, the game is expected to be competitive, with a forecast of 8.6 combined runs.
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the 2024 MLB Little League Classic. With strong performances on both sides and top-tier talent on the mound, the final game of the series promises to be a memorable battle between two storied franchises.