As the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers prepare for the third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic, both teams find themselves with one win each in the series. What promises to be an electrifying Sunday evening match-up will unfold at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with the first pitch slated for 7:10 p.m. ET.
The Yankees took the series opener on Friday with a commanding 3-0 win, while the Tigers bounced back on Saturday with a 4-0 victory. The stakes couldn't be higher for both teams in this final clash, as each aims to clinch the series.
Yankees Leading the Pack
The Yankees are currently leading the American League East with an impressive 73-51 record. Their dominance against AL Central teams has been particularly noteworthy, boasting a 20-4 record this season. A key player to watch is Aaron Judge, who is on a six-game hitting streak. Judge, who went 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Texas Rangers, followed that performance with a double in four at-bats on Saturday. His season stats are equally remarkable, batting .332 with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
Tigers on the Hunt
The Tigers are positioned fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record and have shown resilience against AL East teams, with a somewhat balanced 10-9 record. Infielder Colt Keith has also been a standout player, going 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday. Keith's season stats reveal a batting average of .251, accompanied by 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games. Specifically, in night games, Keith has four doubles, three triples, and seven homers, making him a considerable threat under the evening lights.
Pitching Duel: Skubal vs. Stroman
The pitching match-up for Sunday promises to be intriguing. Detroit's Tarik Skubal, who will take the mound, brings a formidable 14-4 record with a 2.53 ERA. Over the course of 24 starts, Skubal has allowed 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters in 149.1 innings. Notably, Skubal has secured six wins in his last seven decisions, underscoring his recent form and reliability.
For the Yankees, Marcus Stroman will start, carrying an 8-6 record and a 4.01 ERA. Stroman has had a mixed season, allowing 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks, with 87 strikeouts over 121.1 innings in 23 starts. In his last outing, Stroman pitched five innings, conceding one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. His previous encounter with the Tigers this season ended in a no-decision, where he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three hits and one earned run in a 2-1 win on May 3.
Betting Odds and Projections
According to the latest odds, Detroit is a -123 favorite on the money line, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts a composite score of 8.6 runs for the game, suggesting a potentially high-scoring affair.
The Yankees will be looking to leverage their strong record against AL Central teams, while the Tigers aim to capitalize on their recent form and the favorable odds. With both teams having secured one win each in the series, the final game promises a thrilling contest that could hinge on the performance of key players like Judge, Keith, Skubal, and Stroman.
As the anticipation builds for Sunday evening, fans from both sides can look forward to a hard-fought battle under the lights in Williamsport. With so much riding on this game, including bragging rights and critical wins, it's a match that no baseball enthusiast would want to miss.