The highly anticipated third and deciding game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers is set to take place on Sunday evening. The series is currently tied at 1-1, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting conclusion.
Series Recap
The New York Yankees secured a 3-0 victory in the series opener on Friday, showcasing their pitching prowess and timely hitting. However, the Detroit Tigers bounced back in the second game, earning a convincing 4-0 win on Saturday to even the series. This back-and-forth battle has left fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of the deciding game.
Yankees Leading the Charge
Heading into Sunday's game, the Yankees are leading the American League East with a record of 73-51. This dominant performance in their division is complemented by their impressive 20-4 record against AL Central teams this season. Notably, Aaron Judge has been a standout performer for the Yankees, currently riding a six-game hitting streak. Over his last six games, Judge has recorded four multi-hit performances, including a 3-for-3 outing with a homer and two runs scored in the series opener against Texas. For the season, Judge is batting .332 with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBIs over 122 games.
Detroit's Resilience
On the other side, the Detroit Tigers sit fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record. They have shown resilience in inter-divisional matchups, holding a 10-9 record against AL East teams this season. Infielder Colt Keith has been a key contributor for the Tigers, particularly in night games. Keith went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday and boasts a .251 batting average with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBIs in 112 games this season. In night games, he has tallied four doubles, three triples, and seven homers.
Starting Pitchers
Both teams are set to send their dependable pitchers to the mound for the decisive game. For the Yankees, Marcus Stroman will take the ball. Stroman has compiled an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA this season. Across 23 starts and 121.1 innings, he has allowed 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks while striking out 87 batters. In his last outing, Stroman pitched five innings, surrendering just one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. Furthermore, Stroman's first encounter with Detroit this season resulted in a no-decision as he pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run in a 2-1 win on May 3.
Detroit's hopes will rest on the talented left-hander Tarik Skubal. Skubal has been nothing short of stellar this season, holding a 14-4 record with a remarkable 2.53 ERA. Over 149.1 innings pitched across 24 starts, he has given up 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters. Skubal has been particularly dominant recently, securing six wins in his last seven decisions.
Game Outlook
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 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 8.6 combined runs for the game, suggesting a closely contested matchup.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 MLB Little League Classic. With both teams having showcased their abilities and resilience so far, Sunday evening's clash promises to be a memorable affair. Fans will undoubtedly be on the edge of their seats as the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers battle it out for the series victory.