The third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers promises to be a thrilling encounter. The series, tied at 1-1, has seen both teams demonstrate their capabilities, setting the stage for a highly anticipated final clash on Sunday evening.
New York claimed victory in the series opener with a dominant 3-0 win on Friday, showcasing their pitching prowess. However, Detroit bounced back with a commanding 4-0 triumph on Saturday, evening the score. As the curtain draws on this captivating series, the Yankees, leading the American League East with a record of 73-51, will look to assert their dominance once more.
The Yankees have shown an impressive performance against AL Central teams this season, boasting a stellar 20-4 record. Meanwhile, the Tigers, standing fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record, have held their own against AL East opponents with a 10-9 track record.
Pitching Matchup
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Detroit enters the game as a -123 favorite on the money line according to the latest odds. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs, highlighting the potential for a tightly contested matchup.
On the mound for Detroit will be left-hander Tarik Skubal, who has been in exceptional form this season. Skubal boasts a 14-4 record with a 2.53 ERA, having allowed 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters in 149.1 innings across 24 starts. He comes into this game on the back of six wins in his last seven decisions, including a standout performance in a 15-1 rout of the Seattle Mariners. In that game, Skubal pitched six innings, giving up three hits, one earned run, and one walk while fanning nine.
On the flip side, New York will rely on right-hander Marcus Stroman to deliver a strong performance. Stroman, carrying an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA, has allowed 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks with 87 strikeouts over 121.1 innings in 23 starts this season. In his last outing, an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers, Stroman pitched five innings, conceding one earned run on four hits. This will be Stroman's second encounter with Detroit this season, having previously received a no-decision in a 2-1 win on May 3, where he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three hits and one earned run.
Key Players to Watch
Infielder Colt Keith has been a notable contributor for the Tigers, going 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday. Over the season, Keith is batting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games. His performance under the lights is particularly noteworthy, with four doubles, three triples, and seven homers in night games this year.
The Yankees' Aaron Judge continues to be a force at the plate, currently on a six-game hitting streak. Judge has recorded four multi-hit performances in his last six games. In Friday's win over Texas, he was a standout, going 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored. Although the Yankees fell short on Saturday, Judge doubled in four at-bats, bringing his season stats to .332 with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
Projections and Expectations
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, leans towards the over on the projected run total, forecasting 8.6 combined runs. The model also suggests that one side of the money line holds significant value, though it remains to be seen which team will capitalize on it.
As the Yankees and Tigers prepare for their showdown, fans can expect a riveting contest filled with high-caliber pitching, potent hitting, and strategic play. With Tarik Skubal looking to extend his winning streak and Marcus Stroman aiming to secure a pivotal victory for New York, the stage is set for an exhilarating finale to the series.
All eyes will be on Journey Bank Ballpark as these two storied franchises battle it out under the lights, each striving for supremacy in the 2024 MLB Little League Classic.