Yankees and Tigers Clash in Decisive MLB Little League Classic Finale
The 2024 MLB Little League Classic concludes on Sunday evening with an exciting matchup between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams will be looking to clinch the final game at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
The Yankees started the series on a high note, securing a 3-0 victory on Friday. Not to be outdone, the Tigers bounced back on Saturday with a commanding 4-0 win, setting the stage for a thrilling decider.
Currently, the Yankees lead the American League East with an impressive 73-51 record. Their dominance over AL Central teams this season is evident, boasting a remarkable 20-4 record. The Tigers, on the other hand, are fourth in the AL Central with a 60-64 record and a decent 10-9 record against AL East teams.
Detroit enters Sunday's game as a -123 favorite on the money line, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs according to the latest odds. The Yankees will be looking to defy the odds and secure the series victory.
Skubal vs. Stroman: Analyzing the Pitching Duel
Tarik Skubal is set to start for the Tigers, bringing a stellar 14-4 record and a 2.53 ERA to the mound. Skubal has been exceptional this season, allowing 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters in 149.1 innings across 24 starts. Notably, he has secured six wins in his last seven decisions, making him a formidable opponent for the Yankees.
For the Yankees, Marcus Stroman will be taking the mound. Stroman has an 8-6 record with a 4.01 ERA, having conceded 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, Stroman pitched five innings, allowing one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. His previous encounter with Detroit this season ended in a no-decision, where he pitched 5.1 innings and conceded three hits and one earned run in a close 2-1 win on May 3.
Key Players to Watch
Infielder Colt Keith has been a standout for the Tigers, going 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. His performance in night games has been particularly impressive, with four doubles, three triples, and seven homers under the lights.
On the Yankees' side, Aaron Judge has been on fire, currently riding a six-game hitting streak. Judge has recorded four multi-hit performances in his last six games and went 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored in Friday's win over Texas. He continued his hot streak on Saturday, doubling in four at-bats. Judge’s season stats are phenomenal, boasting a .332 average with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
Expectations for the Decider
With both teams having showcased their strengths in the first two games, Sunday's finale promises to be an exhilarating contest. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts 8.6 combined runs for this high-stakes game, suggesting a potentially tight and dramatic finish.
The strategic decisions by both managers, the performance of the starting pitchers, and key contributions from standout players like Tarik Skubal, Marcus Stroman, Colt Keith, and Aaron Judge will likely determine the outcome of this eagerly anticipated clash.
Baseball fans will be eagerly watching as the Yankees and Tigers battle it out for the series victory, making for an unforgettable conclusion to the 2024 MLB Little League Classic.