Series Decider Set for Little League Classic
As the dust settles on the first two games of the 2024 MLB Little League Classic, the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers are poised for their deciding clash on Sunday evening. With the series locked at 1-1, the teams will face off at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
The Yankees took the series opener in convincing fashion with a 3-0 victory on Friday, only to see the Tigers even the score by shutting out New York 4-0 on Saturday. Entering Sunday’s game, the Yankees lead the American League East with an impressive 73-51 record, having dominated AL Central opponents with a 20-4 record this season.
In contrast, the Tigers are situated fourth in the AL Central, sporting a 60-64 record. Detroit has fared decently against AL East teams, boasting a 10-9 record this season. However, they will need to overcome the odds to secure victory against the formidable Yankees.
Pitching Matchup: Skubal vs. Stroman
Taking the mound for Detroit is standout pitcher Tarik Skubal. With a 14-4 record and an impressive 2.53 ERA, Skubal has been a reliable ace. He has shown remarkable control and power, allowing just 109 hits, 42 earned runs, and 29 walks while striking out 180 batters over 149.1 innings in 24 starts. Skubal has been particularly effective recently, securing six wins in his last seven decisions.
Opposing Skubal will be New York’s Marcus Stroman, who comes into the game with an 8-6 record and a 4.01 ERA. Throughout 121.1 innings this season, Stroman has conceded 54 earned runs on 118 hits, and issued 52 walks while striking out 87 batters over 23 starts. In his latest 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 resulted in a no-decision during New York's 2-1 win on May 3, where he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed one earned run on three hits.
Key Players to Watch
Detroit will be looking to infielder Colt Keith to provide some offensive spark. Keith went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday’s game and has shown consistency in night games, amassing four doubles, three triples, and seven home runs under the lights. For the season, Keith is hitting .251 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBIs across 112 games.
On the other side, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge remains a pivotal figure. Judge is riding a six-game hitting streak, during which he has compiled four multi-hit performances. He went 3-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored in New York’s 3-0 win on Friday and followed up with a double in four at-bats on Saturday. Judge’s season stats are nothing short of remarkable, hitting .332 with 29 doubles, one triple, 44 home runs, and 111 RBIs in 122 games.
Betting Insights and Projections
Despite the tight series, Detroit enters the game as the favorite with a -123 money line according to the latest odds. The over/under for the game is set at 7.5 runs, indicating a potentially lower-scoring affair. The SportsLine Projection Model, however, forecasts a slightly higher tally, predicting 8.6 combined runs for the game.
This final game in Williamsport promises to be an engaging matchup, with both teams looking to clinch the series and carry momentum into the remainder of the season. Fans can expect a thrilling contest as the Yankees and Tigers battle it out in a game that could hinge on the performance of the starting pitchers and key offensive players.