The 2024 MLB Little League Classic reaches its climax on Sunday evening as the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers face off in the deciding game of their three-game series. With the series tied at one game apiece, both teams will be striving for a victory at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Series Recap
The Yankees drew first blood in the series with a commanding 3-0 shutout victory in the opener on Friday. However, the Tigers roared back in the second game, securing a 4-0 win on Saturday to even the series. As the teams prepare for the decisive third game, both will be leaning on their starting pitchers to lead them to victory.
Pitching Showdown
Detroit is slated to start Tarik Skubal, who has been a standout this season with a 14-4 record and a 2.53 ERA. Skubal's performance on the mound has been impressive, allowing 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters in 149.1 innings across 24 starts. Recently, Skubal has been in fine form, securing six wins in his last seven decisions.
For New York, Marcus Stroman will take the ball. Stroman holds an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA. Over 121.1 innings in 23 starts this season, he has conceded 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks while striking out 87. Stroman's last outing saw him pitch five innings, giving up one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. Notably, Stroman's first encounter with Detroit this season ended in a no-decision during a 2-1 Yankees win on May 3, where he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed just one earned run.
Offensive Boost
The Tigers will be looking for contributions from infielder Colt Keith, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday. Keith is batting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI in 112 games this season. Particularly productive in night games, Keith has compiled four doubles, three triples, and seven home runs under the lights this year.
Meanwhile, the Yankees' Aaron Judge is in the midst of a hot streak, boasting a six-game hitting streak. Judge has recorded four multi-hit performances in his last six games, including a 3-for-3 outing with a home run and two runs scored in Friday's win over Texas. On Saturday, he added a double in four at-bats. Judge's season stats are impressive, with a .332 batting average, 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
Statistical Outlooks
The Yankees enter the game leading the American League East with a 73-51 record. They have been dominant against AL Central teams this season, posting a 20-4 record. On the other hand, the Tigers sit fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record. However, they have performed respectably against AL East teams, with a 10-9 record.
According to the latest odds, Detroit is favored on the money line at -123, and the over/under is set at 7.5 runs. The SportsLine Projection Model predicts a combined total of 8.6 runs for the game, suggesting a potentially high-scoring affair despite the strong pitching matchup.
As both teams aim to clinch the series, the Little League Classic provides a unique backdrop, infusing excitement and a sense of nostalgia into the matchup. Fans will undoubtedly be treated to an engaging contest as the Yankees and Tigers battle it out in what promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the series.