As the 2024 MLB Little League Classic reaches its decisive third game tonight, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. With the series tied at 1-1, anticipation is building for the 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
A Tense Finale
The Yankees and Tigers have provided an electrifying series so far, with New York taking the opener 3-0 on Friday and Detroit responding with a strong 4-0 victory on Saturday. Both teams have shown their mettle, and tonight's clash will determine who claims the series victory.
Yankees Riding High
Sitting atop the American League East, the Yankees boast a robust 73-51 record. Their dominance against AL Central teams this season is evident with a stellar 20-4 record. New York's lineup is led by the red-hot Aaron Judge, who is currently on a six-game hitting streak. Judge has consistently delivered for the Yankees, highlighted by his .332 batting average, 29 doubles, 44 homers, and 111 RBI over 122 games.
Judge's recent performances have been nothing short of remarkable. He went 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored in Friday's win and followed that up with a double in four at-bats on Saturday. With four multi-hit games in his last six outings, Judge remains a vital cog in the Yankees' lineup heading into the series decider.
Tigers on the Hunt
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers, holding a 60-64 record and sitting fourth in the AL Central, have shown they can compete with the best. Notably, they hold a 10-9 record against AL East teams this season. Infielder Colt Keith has stepped up recently, going 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's win. Keith's season stats include a .251 average with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 44 RBI across 112 games, making him a key player to watch.
Pitching Duel
The pitching matchup for tonight's game is poised to be a fascinating duel. Detroit's Tarik Skubal, who holds a 14-4 record with a 2.53 ERA, will take 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 over 24 starts. Impressively, he has secured six wins in his last seven decisions, demonstrating his reliability in crucial games.
Opposing Skubal will be New York's Marcus Stroman. Stroman comes into the game with an 8-6 record and a 4.01 ERA. Over 121.1 innings in 23 starts this season, Stroman has given up 118 hits, 54 earned runs, and 52 walks, while striking out 87 batters. In his last outing, Stroman pitched five innings, conceding one earned run on four hits in an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. Additionally, his first encounter with Detroit this season ended in a no-decision after a solid 5.1 innings performance, where he allowed just one earned run.
Game Odds and Projections
Bookmakers have pegged Detroit as the -123 favorite on the money line, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs. The SportsLine Projection Model predicts a combined total of 8.6 runs for the game, indicating a potentially high-scoring affair.
With both teams eager to clinch the series, tonight's game promises to be a captivating spectacle.