The anticipation for the third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers is steadily building as Sunday evening approaches. These two teams are locked in at 1-1, with the New York Yankees taking the series opener 3-0 on Friday, followed by a 4-0 triumph by the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
As we head into the final game of this classic series, the Yankees have every reason to be confident. They currently lead the American League East with a commendable 73-51 record. Their success against AL Central teams has been particularly noteworthy, boasting an impressive 20-4 record this season. The Tigers, on the other hand, are holding their ground in fourth place in the AL Central with a 60-64 record, and a 10-9 record against AL East teams.
Sunday's showdown is set to commence at 7:10 p.m. ET at the iconic Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Interestingly, the Detroit Tigers are marginally favored with a -123 money line according to the latest odds, and the over/under is set at 7.5 runs. This implies a tight contest that could swing either way as both teams deploy their starting pitchers.
Pitching Matchup
A lot rests on the shoulders of Detroit’s starting pitcher, Tarik Skubal. His season so far has been nothing short of stellar with a 14-4 record and an admirable 2.53 ERA. Across 24 starts, Skubal has delivered consistency and excellence, allowing 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters in 149.1 innings. His recent form shows no signs of slowing down with six wins in his last seven decisions. Skubal’s ability to maintain his poise under pressure will be pivotal for the Tigers.
Facing Skubal will be New York's Marcus Stroman, who has had a mixed bag this season. His 8-6 record and a 4.01 ERA indicate a season of ups and downs. Over 121.1 innings across 23 starts, Stroman has conceded 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks while striking out 87 batters. His last outing was impressively steady, pitching five innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. Furthermore, Stroman's previous encounter with the Tigers resulted in a no-decision back in May, where he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed a mere three hits and one earned run.
Key Players to Watch
For the Tigers, infielder Colt Keith is a player to keep an eye on. Keith has been reliable, as indicated by his recent 2-for-4 performance with an RBI on Saturday. For the season, he is batting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games. His contributions in night games have been especially notable with seven homers to his name.
The Yankees' Aaron Judge will also be under the spotlight. Judge is currently riding a six-game hitting streak and has four multi-hit performances in his last six games. In Friday’s win over Texas, Judge was exceptional, going 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored. He continued his form on Saturday, doubling in four at-bats. Over the season, Judge has been formidable with a .332 batting average, 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI in 122 games.
Game Outlook and Projections
The SportsLine Projection Model foresees a competitive matchup, predicting 8.6 combined runs for the game. This aligns closely with the over/under set at 7.5 runs, hinting at a potentially high-scoring affair given the quality of batting on both sides. The pitching duel between Skubal and Stroman will likely play a crucial role in defining the outcome, with both teams' heavy hitters poised to make an impact.
As the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers prepare to take the field for this decisive game, the stage is set for an exhilarating clash that could go down to the wire. Whether it will be the Tigers capitalizing on their favored status or the Yankees leveraging their superior record against AL Central teams, one thing is certain: baseball fans are in for a thrilling spectacle.