Little League World Series 2015: Updated US, International Brackets and Schedule
The conclusion of the 2015 Little League World Series is drawing near, but two more games need to be hashed out before a final clash between the United States and international champions can take center stage on Sunday.
So with Texas, Pennsylvania, Mexico and Japan the last four teams standing, here's a glimpse at when and where you can view Saturday's action.
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | International Championship | Mexico vs. Japan | 12:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | United States Championship | Texas vs. Pennsylvania | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Sunday, Aug. 30 | 2015 Little League World Series Championship | International Champion vs. U.S. Champion | 3 p.m. | ABC |
Mexico trounced Venezuela, 11-0, Thursday to advance to the international title game, and it has now blitzed its last three opponents. Since losing to Japan, 3-1, last Sunday, Mexico has outscored foes 36-4.
But as ESPN Stats & Info noted, those scoring outbursts have been common against every team but Japan in recent years:
However, Mexico can take solace in the fact that its offense has been far more explosive since arriving in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While Japan has yet to lose a game in Pennsylvania, it also hasn't tallied more than 10 runs in a single game. In fact, Japan has scored more than five runs just once, and that was in a 7-5 win over Chinese Taipei.
The flip side is Japan also hasn't allowed more than five runs in a contest, as it has regularly dominated on the mound. In a showdown of scorching-hot bats and disciplined arms, expect the showdown between world powers that comes down to the wire.
When it comes to the U.S. portion of the bracket, firepower will be the name of the game, as ESPN Stats & Info noted:
Texas' Pearland West Little League reinforced that notion Thursday night when it used a duo of home runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to dispatch California and solidify a showdown with Pennsylvania in the U.S. final.
The Little League's official Instagram passed along a glimpse of Texas' celebration following the dramatic triumph:
However, Texas had its bats silenced by Pennsylvania's Red Land Little League on Wednesday in a 3-0 loss to its championship opponent. If there's good news, though, it's that Texas and Pennsylvania each churned out five hits in that game, so some polished situational hitting could turn the tables in Pearland's favor this time around.
History, though, is on Pennsylvania's side.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Texas is slated to play in its fifth U.S. championship game since 2004. The previous four appearances all resulted in losses.
Red Land also has a home-field advantage since the tournament is taking place in Pennsylvania.
"I think the crowd contributes quite a bit," Red Land assistant coach Bret Wagner said, according to the Sentinel's Mallory Merda. "And the kids are 12, so if you’ve got 30,000 people rooting against you, yeah, that can be daunting."
But if Thursday's win over California proved anything, it's that Pearland is capable of standing tall in the face of adversity and mounting a resilient charge.
So while both Japan and Pennsylvania own recent wins over their upcoming opponents, redemption will be on the minds of Mexico and Texas with the stakes mounting.
With penultimate clashes set and four immensely talented teams remaining, the drama's primed to intensify with the lights in Williamsport shining on Little League's brightest stars.
