The final four in the 2019 Little League World Series is set and the favorite from both the International and United States bracket are on a collision course to meet in the final. There is one order of business up first, and that’s getting to the final. West Region winner Hawai’i will take on Louisiana to decide the U.S. representative.
Japan has annihilated the competition and is the odds on favorite at top online sportsbooks to bring home the title for the international side. Japan and Curacao will tangle for the international championship. Both games are scheduled to be played on Saturday, August 24, at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Penn. The international final is set for a 12:30 p.m. first pitch with the U.S. championship at 3:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be televised on ABC.
Little League World Series Odds at BookMaker.eu
International Team wins LLWS -180
U.S. Team wins LLWS +140
2019 Little League World Series Schedule – Saturday, August 24
Curacao (Caribbean) vs. Chofu City (Japan), 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
It’s hard to imagine the Japanese not reaching the final the way the boys from Chofu City have played. The team cruised through the Japan Region outscoring opponents 37-1 in four victories. That dominance has continued in Williamsport with a combined score of 32-2 in three victories. What might hurt Japan is inactivity, they haven’t played since a 7-2 win over South Korea on Wednesday.
Chofu City is looking to get Japan back in the winner’s circle after the country won five titles between 2010 and 2017, but was stopped short of the championship by South Korea last year. Japan has been such a force that the country earned an automatic entry to the LLWS in 2007. Chofu is the 30th team from Japan to qualify for the tournament and looks to win the country’s 12th title. Chofu is also trying to atone for a poor showing it had in 2016 when it became just the second Japanese team to lose its first two LLWS games.
Curacao was probably the third-best team on the international side and the Pabao LL squad from Willemstad knocked off one of the teams ranked higher. Curacao bounced back from an early loss to South Korea and atoned for that defeat by winning an elimination game 5-3. Judrick Profar, brother of MLB player Jurickson Profar, struck out eight batters and had a pair of hits. Even with a loss, Curacao has outscored opponents 33-10.
Louisiana (Southwest) vs. Hawai’i (West), 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
The teams met in the first round with Hawai’i posting a 5-2 victory behind a stellar pitching performance from Jaren Pascual, who allowed only two unearned runs. Louisiana outhit Hawai’i 9-8 in the contest, but left 10 runners on base. Eastbank LL from River Ridge, La., responded by winning the next four games outscoring teams 27-3 to reach the bracket final. This team can hit and they win. In district and state tournaments, Eastbank outscored opponents 79-0. That’s right, 79-0.
The West Region has been a consistent threat in the LLWS. Honolulu won the third title for Hawai’i last year and has helped the region to 10 championships overall. Teams from California, Hawai’i and Arizona have also finished as runner-up 19 times. When Hawai’i gets to the LLWS look out. The past four Hawaiian teams at the LLWS went on to win the U.S. championship with three winning the whole enchilada. In three previous LLWS meetings between the states, Hawai’i has yet to lose, and that includes the matchup last week.
Mahalo to the kids from Central East Maui LL for going undefeated in bracket play while outscoring opponents 23-11 to get here. Hawai’i overcame a sluggish game against Virginia posting a 12-9 victory. Louisiana beat the same Virginia team 10-0 earlier in the tournament. Hawai’i might be favored to win the U.S. bracket, but they will have their hands full on Saturday against a feisty and dangerous Louisiana team.
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