The anticipation for the third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic is reaching its peak as the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers are set to square off on Sunday evening. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams have everything to play for at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The Yankees and Tigers have shown their mettle, with the Yankees taking the series opener 3-0 and the Tigers bouncing back with a 4-0 victory in the second game. As both teams vie to claim the series, this final game promises to be a nail-biter.
Yankees Leading the Pack
The Yankees come into this game as leaders of the American League East, boasting a strong 73-51 record. Their dominance over AL Central teams this season is evident, with an impressive 20-4 record. This statistic alone could provide the Yankees with a psychological edge as they face the Tigers.
On the other side, the Tigers are fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record. Although their performance has been uneven, they have managed a decent 10-9 record against AL East teams this season. This underlines their capability to compete with top-tier teams like the Yankees.
Pitching Showdown
The spotlight will be on the starting pitchers, with Tarik Skubal taking the mound for Detroit. Skubal has been exceptional this season, holding a 14-4 record with a 2.53 ERA. Over 149.1 innings across 24 starts, he has allowed 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters. Skubal’s recent form is formidable, with six wins in his last seven decisions.
Opposing him will be Marcus Stroman for New York. While Stroman's season has had its ups and downs, he holds an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA. In 23 starts this season, he has given up 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks, striking out 87 batters over 121.1 innings. Notably, Stroman has fond memories of his last outing where he pitched five innings, conceding one earned run in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers.
Key Players to Watch
Infielder Colt Keith has been a key contributor for the Tigers, especially in night games where he has shown a flair for hitting doubles, triples, and home runs. Keith went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday and is batting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games this season.
For the Yankees, all eyes will be on Aaron Judge, who is currently on a six-game hitting streak. Judge has delivered four multi-hit performances in his last six games, going 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored in Friday's win over Texas. On Saturday, he doubled in four at-bats, and his season stats are nothing short of remarkable: a .332 batting average coupled with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Although Detroit is listed as a slight -123 favorite on the money line, the over/under is set at 7.5 runs, indicating that bookmakers are expecting a relatively tight game. According to the SportsLine Projection Model, the combined runs for the game are forecasted to be around 8.6, suggesting a competitive and possibly high-scoring affair.
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and with so much on the line, fans can expect both teams to bring their best to the field. As the Yankees look to clinch another series win and the Tigers aim to upset the odds, this matchup promises to deliver excitement and drama in equal measure.