MLB Little League Classic 2021: Four things to know for Angels vs. Cleveland with all eyes on Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland will play within the 2021 version Main League Baseball’s Little League Basic on Sunday night time. The sport might be performed at Bowman Area in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, simply miles away from the continuing Little League World Sequence.

Beneath, you will discover 4 issues you want to know in regards to the 2021 Little League Basic. First, although, here is methods to watch the sport:

2021 Little League Basic

• When: Sunday, 7:08 p.m. ET | The place: Bowman Area (Williamsport, Pa.)
• TV channel: ESPN | Dwell stream: fuboTV (strive without spending a dime)
• Pitching matchup: Cal Quantrill (CLE) Vs. José Suarez (LAA)
• Odds: CLE: -130; LAA: +120; O/U: 9 (by way of Caesars Sportsbook)

1. That is the fourth Little League Basic

MLB launched the Little League Basic in 2017 as a method of lending help to the Little League World Sequence. Annually (except 2020 due to the worldwide pandemic), the Basic has included MLB gamers interacting with their younger ball enjoying counterparts earlier than partaking in a sport themselves. Bowman Area holds simply over 2,500 followers, making it an unique occasion.

That is the primary time both the Angels or Cleveland will partake within the Little League Basic. In earlier matchups, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals; the New York Mets topped the Philadelphia Phillies; and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pirates. Final 12 months’s Basic was speculated to characteristic the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. 

The Little League World Sequence is held in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The occasion usually has 16 groups, with eight from the U.S. and eight worldwide squads. Because of the pandemic, nonetheless, the 2021 Little League World Sequence has 16 U.S. groups and restricted attendance. The occasion kicked off on Thursday.

2. Themed uniforms make return

One of many neat points of the Basic is that each groups put on Little League-inspired uniforms. This 12 months’s threads embody little touches like their “area.” 

This is a take a look at what each groups might be sporting come Sunday night time:

3. All eyes on Ohtani

Angels outfielder Mike Trout will not have the ability to partake within the Basic due to his hamstring damage. He has, nonetheless, completed an admirable job of serving because the hype man for two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, who might effectively win this 12 months’s American League Most Priceless Player Award.

“If it is any response like he will get on the ballpark I am positive it should be fairly thrilling,” Trout told USA Today. “I am attempting to have him take batting observe on the Little League Area, see how far he can hit them. That’d be fairly enjoyable. What he is doing on the sphere, I am unable to put anything to it. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it.”

Ohtani enters Sunday night time hitting .269/.363/.638 (162 OPS+) with 40 dwelling runs in 119 video games. He is additionally thrown 100 innings on the 12 months, with a 2.79 ERA (166 ERA+) and a 3.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio besides.

4. Promising pitching matchup

José Suarez and Cal Quantrill aren’t family names, however they’re each younger pitchers having high quality seasons who might make for an entertaining duel.

Suarez, a 23-year-old lefty with a low launch level, has a 3.88 ERA (120 ERA+) and a 2.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first 16 appearances this season. He depends on three pitches: a low-90s fastball, a changeup, and a curveball. 

Quantrill, a 26-year-old righty, has a 3.24 ERA (140 ERA+) and a 2.35 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 33 appearances. Quantrill, initially acquired as a part of final summer season’s Mike Clevinger commerce, leans on his sinker and slider. He’ll additionally throw a four-seam fastball and a changeup to maintain batters sincere.