The two biggest stories of the Little League World Series will collide head-on Thursday.

Chicago's Jackie Robinson West will face Philadelphia's Taney Little League squad in a game that will send the winner to the U.S. title game.

The matchup was set after Taney lost 8-1 to Las Vegas.

The Chicago team will go head-to-head with Philadelphia's star female pitcher Mo'ne Davis, who has become the darling of the sports world and Davis became the first Little Leaguer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Jackie Robinson West won't see Davis on the mound, because she pitched on Wednesday, but she also plays first base and right field.

Jackie Robinson West has its own star in the making, right fielder Pierce Jones.

Jones tweaked his hamstring in Tuesday's game, but is expected to be ready to go on Thursday.

"I told him to stay hydrated, make sure you take of that, put ice on it, Jones' older brother, Craig Mathis, said. "He's very level headed. After all the media, he's the first one back to the dorms."

Mathis, who is with the team in Williamsport, describes his little brother as a player who's obsessed with the game.

"All he ever wants to do is go to his big brother's house or play baseball ... baseball ... baseball," Mathis said.

The winner of Thursday's game will play undefeated Vegas on Saturday in the U.S. championship game, a team Jackie Robinson West lost to 13-2 on Sunday.