Little League World Series 2013: Viewing Info and Predictions for Thursday

It's that magical time of summer when youngsters playing baseball take center stage in the sports world.

The 2013 Little League World Series from Williamsport, Pa., will begin on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 1 p.m. ET when Latin America takes on the Caribbean.

Japan enters as the defending Little League World Series champion. Last year, Tokyo Kitasuna dominated its way to the title. This year, it will be Musashi Fuchu Little League trying to not only defend the region's title, but to make it three championships for Japan in four years. 

Check out the full schedule below and my predictions for Thursday's games. 

Schedule info via LittleLeague.org.

Little League World Series Schedule

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	Field	TV
1	Thurs., Aug. 15	Latin America vs. Carribean	1 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
2	Thurs., Aug. 15	Southwest vs. Northwest	3 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
3	Thurs., Aug. 15	Australia vs. Mexico	5 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
4	Thurs., Aug. 15	Southeast vs. New England	7 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
5	Fri., Aug. 16	Asia-Pacific vs. Canada	1 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
6	Fri., Aug. 16	West vs. Great Lakes	3 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
7	Fri., Aug. 16	Japan vs. Europe-Africa	5 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
8	Fri., Aug. 16	Mid-Atlantic vs. Midwest	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
9	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G1 vs. Loser G3	12 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
10	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G2 vs. Loser G4	3 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
11	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G5 vs. Loser G7	6 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
12	Sat., Aug. 17	Loser G6 vs. Loser G8	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
13	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G1 vs. Winner G3	12 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
14	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G2 vs. Winner G4	2 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
15	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G6 vs. Winner G8	5 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
16	Sun., Aug. 18	Winner G5 vs. Winner G7	7 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
A	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser of G9 vs. Loser G10	12 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
17	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G16 vs. Winner G9	2 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN
18	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G15 vs. Winner G10	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
19	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G13 vs. Winner G11	6 p.m.	Volunteer	ESPN2
20	Mon., Aug. 19	Loser G14 vs. Winner G12	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
B	Tues., Aug. 20	Loser G11 vs. Loser G12	1 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
21	Tues., Aug. 20	Winner G17 vs. Winner G19	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
22	Tues., Aug. 20	Winner G18 vs. Winner G20	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
23	Wed., Aug. 21	Winner G13 vs. Winner G16	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
24	Wed., Aug. 21	Winner G14 vs. Winner G15	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
25	Thurs., Aug. 22	Winner G21 vs. Loser G23	4 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN
26	Thurs., Aug. 22	Winner G22 vs. Loser G24	8 p.m.	Lamade	ESPN2
27	International Championship		12:30 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
28	U.S. Championship		3:30 p.m.	Lamade	ABC
29	Third Place Game		11 a.m.	Lamade	ESPN
30	World Series Championship		3 p.m.	Lamade	ABC

Predictions

Latin America vs. Caribbean

Last year, Aguadulce, Panama represented Latin America in the LLWS and advanced all the way to the International final before bowing to Japan, 10-2. 

Aguadulce made it back to the competition this year representing Latin America again and will get its tournament started against the Caribbean, represented by San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico.

This is the second time since 2001 that Puerto Rico has been the Caribbean representative. 

Latin America has proven to be a tournament power and I expect them to get off to a strong start.  

Latin America 8, Caribbean 2

Southwest vs. Northwest

Sammamish, Wash., will represent the Northwest after beating Montana in the regional final.

Sammamish is the 10th Washington team to advance to the LLWS where the Washington youngsters will have their hands full in their opener.  

Corpus Christi, Texas, representing the Southwest region, not only beat Las Cruces, N.M., in the regional championship game, but also no-hit them.

I expect the Southwest's pitching to dominate once again. 

Southwest 4, Northwest 0

Australia vs. Mexico

For the first time in LLWS history, there will be a team from Australia. 

The up-and-coming baseball country from Down Under will face long odds. Not only will Australia be facing regions with a much richer tradition, they also haven't played since early June, when they clinched the Australian title. 

Meanwhile, the Municipal de Tijuana Little League All-Stars won the Mexico Region championship and should have little problem advancing here. 

Mexico 12, Australia 1

Southeast vs. New England

Harry Azadian and Chad Knight give the youngsters from Westport, Conn., what may be the best one-two pitching combo in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the South Nashville All-Stars had to pull off a dramatic three-run comeback in the Southeast championship game to advance to this tournament. 

While South Nashville proved its determination and poise in that comeback, they will be helpless against the pitching of Westport. 

New England 5, Southeast 1