The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers are set to face off in the third and decisive game of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic on Sunday evening, with the series tied at one game apiece. As the teams prepare for this crucial matchup, fans can look forward to an exciting evening of baseball, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Series Recap
The Yankees opened the series with a commanding 3-0 win on Friday, thanks in part to a stellar performance from their pitching staff. Aaron Judge's offensive prowess was on full display, going 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored. Judge has been on a tear recently, extending his hitting streak to six games and boasting four multi-hit performances in his last six outings. His season stats remain impressive, with a .332 batting average, 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBIs over 122 games.
Saturday's game saw a turnaround, as the Tigers rallied to a 4-0 victory, evening the series. Infielder Colt Keith contributed significantly, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Keith has shown notable versatility this season, batting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBIs in 112 games. His performance in night games has also been commendable, with four doubles, three triples, and seven homers.
Team Standings and Records
Heading into the final game, the Yankees lead the American League East with a strong record of 73-51. They have been particularly dominant against AL Central teams this season, with an impressive 20-4 record. Meanwhile, the Tigers find themselves fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record. Their performance against AL East teams has been more mixed, standing at 10-9 for the season.
Pitching Matchup
On the mound for Detroit is Tarik Skubal, who brings an outstanding 14-4 record with a 2.53 ERA. Skubal has been a key player for the Tigers, allowing just 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters over 149.1 innings in 24 starts. Notably, Skubal has secured six wins in his last seven decisions, underscoring his reliability and effectiveness as a starter.
Opposing Skubal for the Yankees is Marcus Stroman, who holds an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA. Stroman has allowed 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks while striking out 87 batters over 121.1 innings in 23 starts this season. In his last outing against the Texas Rangers, Stroman pitched five innings, conceding one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory. His previous encounter with the Tigers on May 3 ended in a no-decision, as he pitched 5.1 innings allowing three hits and one earned run in a narrow 2-1 win for the Yankees.
Game Odds and Predictions
According to the latest odds, Detroit is a -123 favorite on the money line for Sunday's game, indicating a slight edge in what promises to be a competitive matchup. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs, suggesting that a balanced game with moderate scoring could be expected.
The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts a combined total of 8.6 runs for the game, hinting at a potentially higher-scoring affair than the set over/under. Given the potent offenses and effective pitching on both sides, fans should be treated to an engaging and dynamic conclusion to this series.
As the Yankees and Tigers gear up for this final showdown, the stakes are high, and both teams will be vying to secure the series win. With standout performers like Aaron Judge and Tarik Skubal taking the field, the game promises to be a thrilling display of baseball at its finest.