Little League World Series 2015: Picks for Remainder of Wednesday's LLWS Bracket
The 2015 Little League World Series has reached the juncture where teams are being sent packing at a rapid rate, but there will be no eliminations Wednesday as the four remaining undefeated teams will be in action.
Despite the fact that the teams won't have their backs against the wall, Wednesday's games won't be any less exciting or meaningful since the winners will advance straight to the International and United States Championship Games respectively. That means they will then be just one win away from playing for the world title.
With such high stakes on the line, here is a full rundown of picks for Wednesday's highly anticipated slate, along with further analysis regarding each game.
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Wednesday's LLWS Picks
| 4 p.m. | Double Elimination | Venezuela (Latin America) | Japan | 9-2, Japan |
| 8 p.m. | Double Elimination | Texas (Southwest) | Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) | 6-5, Texas |
Breaking Down Wednesday's Games
Venezuela (Latin America) vs. Japan
With nine titles all time and three since 2010, Japan almost always enters Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as the odds-on favorite to win it all. That is once again the case this year, but a talented Venezuela squad will look to push the Japanese side to the brink of elimination.
Some might argue that the Latin American representatives have benefited from a somewhat easy schedule thus far, having played Australia and Uganda rather than the top teams. While that may be true, Venezuela can only play who is put in front of it.
The question regarding just how good the Venezuelans are promises to be answered emphatically, though, as they will take on what looks to be the best team on paper.
Japan hasn't dominated to this point as both of its wins have come by just two runs, but it has had a tough road to this point, having previously faced Chinese Taipei and a Mexican team that will take on whomever loses between Japan and Venezuela.
There is little doubt that the Japanese team has more depth and danger in its lineup, but Venezuela has gotten this far thanks to its pitching, allowing just two runs through two games.
The Venezuelans have an outside shot if they can hold down the likes of Kengo Tomita, Shingo Tomita and Yugo Aoki at the plate, but that will be unlike any challenge they have faced thus far.
Venezuela has enjoyed a great run at the Little League World Series, but Wednesday will represent a reality check of sorts as it will finally witness firsthand just how good the elite teams in the tournament really are.
Texas (Southwest) vs. Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic)
Most seemingly viewed California as the American favorite prior to the start of the 2015 Little League World Series, and while the West squad has managed to make it to within one game of the United States championship, the only remaining undefeated teams on that side are Texas and Pennsylvania.
Pearland, Texas, is the team that upset Bonita, California, by a score of 8-4, while Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, has enjoyed a roller-coaster ride despite its undefeated record. After thrashing Missouri 18-0, Mid-Atlantic needed a dramatic walk-off to defeat South Carolina in its second game.
As seen in this highlight video courtesy of Little League on Twitter, Pennsylvania has a flair for the dramatic and a never-say-die attitude that will make it incredibly difficult to knock off in Williamsport:
Not only is Pennsylvania a great team, but it naturally has a ton of support in Williamsport. Every team has its fair share of parents and fans cheering them on, but literally every game is a home game for Pennsylvania.
That will pose a major challenge to Texas, but it hasn't been flustered yet despite being put in some tough situations. After outlasting Oregon in a 1-0 pitchers' duel, Pearland beat the odds and did the unexpected by taking down California.
Texas has gained a lot of notoriety and support in its own right over the past couple weeks, with St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and National League Rookie of the Year candidate Randal Grichuk among them:
In addition to that, Texas' colorful head coach has added a little extra incentive for his team to go all the way and win the title in Williamsport, per Baseball Tonight:
"Andrew Solomon, coach of the Texas @LittleLeague team, says he will cut his magnificent hair if his team wins #LLWS. pic.twitter.com/iIHWytI6Cm
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) August 23, 2015"
Wednesday's clash between Texas and Pennsylvania promises to be one of the best and most entertaining games of the tournament since the teams are so evenly matched.
Based on Texas' fine pitching and power bats like Ben Gottfried and Raffi Gross, however, it will find a way to get past another major hurdle, just like it did against California.
Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.
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