Little League World Series 2016: Monday Schedule, TV Info, Bracket Predictions
Inclement weather washed out the Little League World Series action on Sunday, per the event’s official website, but Monday brings five games, four of which feature showdowns from the winners’ brackets of the United States and international pools.
The good news for the teams playing in the winners’ contests is there is slightly less pressure on Monday’s games because of the double-elimination format. While winning will clear an easier path to the eventual United States and international championships, there is some breathing room for the undefeated squads taking the field.
Here is a look at the full Monday schedule and broadcast information, courtesy of the Little League World Series website, as well as some bracket-altering predictions for the games:
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| Consolation Game A | Europe and Africa Region vs. Northwest Region | 11 a.m. | ESPN |
| Game 13 | Australia Region vs. Latin America Region | 1 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 14 | Southeast Region vs. Mid-Atlantic Region | 3 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 15 | Canada Region vs. Asia-Pacific Region | 6 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 16 | Great Lakes Region vs. Midwest Region | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
Europe-Africa vs. Northwest
This is a consolation game between two teams that struggled in the early going.
Europe-Africa lost to Australia (3-1) and Mexico (12-7) in its two contests, while Northwest dropped games to Southeast (3-2) and New England (8-0).
Offense has been an issue for Northwest with a mere two runs through two games, which was apparent when it was shut out against New England. It managed only five hits in that loss, two of which came from Julian Mora.
As for Europe-Africa, it is fresh off a seven-run outing against Mexico and will carry that offensive prowess over into the elimination game. Samuele Gamberini anchors the lineup and went a perfect 3-for-3 against Mexico.
Gamberini will provide enough offense in this one for Europe-Africa to notch a win at the event.
Prediction: Europe-Africa 8, Northwest 4
Australia vs. Latin America
Australia and Latin America enter their Monday showdown after impressive performances from each side. Australia beat Europe-Africa, 3-1, while Latin America prevailed against Mexico, 10-2.
One can do some extrapolating from those two games even though they represent a small sample size. Mexico beat Europe-Africa (12-7) in more convincing fashion than Australia did, which could suggest Mexico is better than Australia. Latin America easily handled Mexico with a decisive eight-run victory, which is a concern for an Australian side that doesn't quite measure up to Mexico in this exercise.
Esmith Pineda is a powerful force in the middle of the Latin America lineup, which he proved with a home run and three RBI in his first game. He will be the difference-maker on Monday against an overmatched Australia.
Prediction: Latin America 7, Australia 2
Southeast vs. Mid-Atlantic
Southeast enters this game after a 3-2 win over Northwest, while Mid-Atlantic earned a 7-2 victory over New England in its first contest.
Southeast should have a fresh arsenal of pitching options after Zach McWilliams threw a complete-game beauty against Northwest. He allowed a mere two hits and struck out nine batters.
Mid-Atlantic is in a similar situation after Ryan Harlost pitched five of the six innings and didn’t give up a run against New England. He was also a single shy of the cycle at the plate when he finished 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBI as arguably one of the best players in the entire Little League World Series.
Southeast has Tanner and Tyler Jones atop the lineup, but the rest of the team managed only two hits in its last victory. The Joneses won’t have enough support to top the powerful Harlost and his teammates.
Prediction: Mid-Atlantic 6, Southeast 3
Canada vs. Asia-Pacific
Both of these teams come into Monday’s contest riding plenty of momentum after Canada beat Japan, 10-4, and Asia-Pacific shut out the Caribbean, 3-0.
They took two different paths to get to Monday’s game, as Asia-Pacific used impressive pitching in its first outing. Junho Jeong struck out 10 batters in four innings, and Sangheon Park finished the final two innings without allowing a hit. While Asia-Pacific notched only five hits as a team, it was more than enough with pitching like that.
As for Canada, it scored 10 runs in an offensive outburst, although Loreto Siniscalchi was solid on the mound as well and allowed one earned run and struck out 13 in 5.2 innings. Canada received home runs from Siniscalchi and Cristian Santarelli, and Siniscalchi caught the eye of Baseball Tonight in the process:
"Impressive pitching performance from Canada's Loreto Siniscalchi! #LLWS on ESPN pic.twitter.com/U6irZ8BOtt
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) August 19, 2016"
Asia-Pacific will not be able to replicate its previous pitching performance, especially against a red-hot offense like Canada. The lack of hitting on Asia-Pacific’s side will also prove costly as Canada earns the win.
Prediction: Canada 5, Asia-Pacific 1
Great Lakes vs. Midwest
Both Great Lakes (an 11-1 win over Southwest) and Midwest (a 5-1 win over West) looked formidable in their first games, and Monday will be an interesting measuring stick for each side.
Great Lakes used a combination of offense and pitching in its dominant 10-run win over Southwest. Devin Obee allowed one run and struck out seven in a complete-game victory and also spearheaded the lineup from the leadoff spot with a home run and three runs scored. It was the type of individual effort that can carry a team deep in the Little League World Series.
The offense as a whole scored 11 runs, but it was helped by eight costly errors from Southwest.
Great Lakes won’t be so fortunate against a strong Midwest team that didn’t commit a single error in its first game. Midwest used three different pitchers who allowed a total of one earned run, and JT Garcia led the offense with a long ball and two runs scored.
Great Lakes won’t have the benefit of so many errors in this one, and it will lose to a fundamentally solid Midwest group.
Prediction: Midwest 3, Great Lakes 2
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