The 2024 MLB Little League Classic between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and it all comes down to the deciding game on Sunday evening. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams have everything to play for at the Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and the stakes couldn't be higher for both clubs.
Series Recap
The Yankees drew first blood with a commanding 3-0 victory in the series opener on Friday. However, the Tigers stormed back with a 4-0 win on Saturday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated finale. At this juncture, New York holds a formidable position atop the American League East with a 73-51 record. Their dominance against AL Central teams is evident, boasting an impressive 20-4 record this season. Conversely, Detroit stands fourth in the AL Central, with a 60-64 record but has held their own against AL East teams, sitting at 10-9.
Pitching Matchup
All eyes will be on the pitching mound tonight. Detroit's southpaw, Tarik Skubal, is set to start and brings an enviable 14-4 record coupled with a 2.53 ERA. Skubal's season stats are nothing short of remarkable: in 149.1 innings across 24 starts, he's allowed 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and handed out 29 walks while striking out 180 batters. The lefty has been in scintillating form, securing six wins in his last seven decisions.
Countering for the Yankees is Marcus Stroman. The seasoned right-hander has had an up-and-down season, posting an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA. In his 23 starts, Stroman has allowed 118 hits and 54 earned runs over 121.1 innings, with 87 strikeouts to his name. His latest outing saw him pitch five innings, allowing one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 triumph over the Texas Rangers. Notably, Stroman's prior encounter with Detroit on May 3 resulted in a no-decision despite a commendable 5.1 innings where he conceded just one earned run on three hits.
Key Players to Watch
Detroit's rookie infielder Colt Keith has been a spark plug for the Tigers, adding to the lineup's depth. Keith went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's game and is currently hitting .251 on the season, with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games. His performance under the lights is noteworthy, having amassed four doubles, three triples, and seven homers in night games.
For the Yankees, Aaron Judge is the man to watch. The outfielder is riding a six-game hitting streak and has tallied four multi-hit performances in his last six outings. Judge went 3-for-3 with a home run and scored twice in Friday's victory, and followed that up with a double on Saturday. His season stats are astounding: a .332 batting average, 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
The Odds and Predictions
According to the latest odds, Detroit is favored on the money line at -123. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs. Analysts and fans alike will be keenly watching not just the pitching duel but also the offensive fireworks expected from both teams. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts an engaging high-scoring game with a combined 8.6 runs predicted.
As the final game of this intriguing series approaches, both teams are primed and ready to leave it all on the field. Whether it's the Yankees' quest to maintain their stronghold in the AL East or the Tigers' push to improve their standing and gain momentum, tonight's game promises an evening of top-tier baseball action.