The Sportsletter - Stro-No-No

BY JEFF YODER

NOV. 3, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

World Series history was made once again. Following a historic home-run-mashing Game 3 by the Phillies, the Astros fired back with a combo no-no in Game 4. We're in for a scintillating World Series finale this weekend.

Letter Rip!

MLB PLAYOFFS

Game 4: Astros Throw No-No

Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images

Astros Win Game 4 (5-0) With 1st Combined No-Hitter in World Series History; Series Tied 2-2

It’s not over ’til it’s over! Phillies fans were hoping for another home-run-wrecking performance after the Game 3 blowout, but the Astros delivered just the opposite. Houston blanked Philly (5-0) with the first-ever combined no-hitter in World Series history on the back of Cristian Javier’s epic start. Javier notched nine Ks through six innings and got support with a five-run fifth inning before exiting and letting the bullpen close the deal. While it’s the first combined no-no ever in the Fall Classic, it’s the second no-hitter of any kind (Don Larsen, 1956).

Astros Pitchers (Game 4)

C. Javier: 6 IP, 9 Ks, 0 Hits

B. Abreu: 1 IP, 3 Ks, 0 Hits

R. Montero: 1 IP, 1 K, 0 Hits

R. Pressly: 1 IP, 1 K, 0 Hits

Wednesday’s massive swing game could’ve seen the Phillies take a 3-1 lead with a chance to close it out at home tonight. Instead, we’re all square at 2-2 and the Astros have retaken control.

Watch: Astros Toss No-Hitter in Game 4 Win (5-0)

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 5: Astros at Phillies (8:00 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: Astros Toss Combined No-No in Historic Game 4 Win

USA Today: Astros Back in Control of World Series After Combined No-Hitter

MLB: Hard to K: Gurriel Chasing Postseason Record Without Strikeout in 46 Straight Plate Appearances

NFL

Week 9 Power Rankings

Photo: G Flume / Getty Images

Bengals & Jets Fall, Seahawks, 49ers & Titans Rise in Latest NFL Power Rankings

The NFL has reached its halfway mark, and the same two teams remain 1-2 yet again. The Eagles (7-0) and Bills (6-1) appear to be on a collision course for Super Bowl LVII, but plenty of obstacles remain. Philly has all the tools to run the table (blasphemous, right?), but the NFC East won’t go quietly. Two NFC West teams made major moves back into the top-10 this week. And the Titans — winners of five straight — have climbed all the way to No. 8.

NFL Power Rankings (Week 9)

1. Eagles (7-0) | —

2. Bills (6-1) | —

3. Chiefs (5-2) | —

4. Vikings (6-1) | ↑1

5. Cowboys (6-2) | ↑1

6. Giants (6-2) | ↓2

7. Ravens (5-3) | ↑2

8. Titans (5-2) | ↑4

9. Seahawks (5-3) | ↑5

10. 49ers (4-4) | ↑5

Teams 11-20: 11. Dolphins (5-3) | 12. Jets (5-3) | 13. Chargers (4-3) | 14. Bengals (4-4) | 15. Falcons (4-4) | 16. Rams (3-4) | 17. Buccaneers (3-5) | 18. Commanders (4-4) | 19. Packers (3-5) | 20. Patriots (4-4)

Teams 21-32: 21. Colts (3-4-1) | 22. Broncos (3-5) | 23. Cardinals (3-5) | 24. Browns (3-5) | 25. Bears (3-5) | 26. Saints (3-5) | 27. Jaguars (2-6) | 28. Steelers (2-6) | 29. Raiders (2-5) | 30. Panthers (2-6) | 31. Lions (1-6) | 32. Texans (1-5-1)

Biggest Risers: Titans, Seahawks, 49ers

Biggest Fallers: Bengals, Raiders, Jets

Editor's Note: Do you agree or disagree with any of today's Power Rankings? Reply to today's newsletter to share your thoughts.

Week 9 Schedule

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: Are Vikings Legit Contenders?

B/R: Where Does Every Team Stand Entering Week 9? 49ers Make Big Leap Behind CMC

SI: NFL Power Rankings: Shake-Up at the Top as Undefeated Eagles Soar

NFL PICK 'EM

Week 9 Picks

Let’s reset the points! We’ll keep track of our season-long leaderboard as the year rolls on, but you can join the fun at any time for a shot at weekly prizes. Week 9 picks can be made until Sunday.

Thursday Night Football Games Not Included to Allow Players to Make Picks Until Sunday Morning

NBA

The Unbeaten Bucks

Photo: John Fisher / Getty Images

Giannis & Bucks Blast Pistons (116-91) to Stay Undefeated (7-0)

After two weeks of basketball, the Milwaukee Bucks are the lone undefeated team in the NBA. Milwaukee won its seventh straight game to open the season last night with a 25-point victory over the Pistons (116-91) thanks to another big night from Giannis Antetokounmpo (32 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks). It was the sixth consecutive 30-point outing for the Greek Freak. The Bucks’ 7-0 start ties the franchise record for the best start to a season (2018 & 1971). Four of their seven wins have been double-digit blowouts.

Watch: Bucks Stay Unbeaten Against Pistons (116-91)

Other NBA Highlights & Storylines

Nets Nearing Udoka Deal: Just hours after firing head coach Steve Nash, the Nets got to work on hiring suspended Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. Wednesday reports suggest the deal is almost finalized.

Herro Hits Game-Winner: Tyler Herro played the hero last night in Miami with a step-back 3 in the final seconds to lift the Heat over the Kings (110-107).

Luka’s Hot Start: Luka Doncic (33 points) made more history on Wednesday with his seventh straight 30-point game to open the season in the Mavericks’ win over the Jazz (103-100). He’s the first player since Wilt Chamberlain (1961) with seven 30-point games to open a season.

Lakers Top Pels in OT: Another LeBron James (20-10-8) vs. Zion Williamson (27-7-5) showdown in L.A. was worth the price of admission last night. The Lakers and Pelicans needed overtime before Los Angeles escaped with their second win of the year (120-117).

SOCCER

Finalizing the Knockout Stage

Photo: Claudio Villa / Getty Images

Milan & RB Leipzig Round Out Knockout Stage With Final 16 Teams Set

The final day of matches in the Champions League Group Stage featured two matches with the Knockout Stage on the line, and both were blowouts. RB Leipzig and Milan were both 4-0 winners in their do-or-die showdowns with Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Salzburg, respectively. Both teams punched their tickets to the Round of 16, which is finally complete. Here’s a look at all the Group winners who will battle it out for Champions League glory in 2023.

Matchday 6 Highlights

RB Leipzig def. Shakhtar Donetsk (4-0)

Milan def. RB Salzburg (4-0)

Round of 16 (Group Winners)

Group A: Napoli & Liverpool

Group B: Porto & Club Brugge

Group C: Bayern & Inter

Group D: Tottenham & Eintracht Frankfurt

Group E: Chelsea & Milan

Group F: Real Madrid & RB Leipzig

Group G: Man. City & Dortmund

Group H: Benfica & PSG

Round of 16 Draw: Monday, Nov. 7 (6:00 am ET)

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Champions League Round of 16 Draw: Seedings, Date, Time & Details

CBS Sports: Champions League Clubs That Could Benefit From World Cup Break

🎥 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

🏒 NHL: Tavares Hat Trick Powers Leafs

John Tavares had the hot stick in the NHL on Wednesday with three goals and an assists in the Maple Leafs’ 5-2 win over the Flyers, effectively ending a four-game skid for Toronto. It was Tavares’ 11th career hat trick.

THE STORYLINES

⚾️ MLB Gold Glove Winners

Major League Baseball's awards season got underway a little earlier than usual this offseason as MLB and Rawlings announced the 2022 Gold Glove winners prior to Game 3 of the World Series on Tuesday night. (CBS Sports)

🏈 CFB Playoff: Stage Set for Crucial Weekend

The first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings were revealed on Tuesday, setting the stage for what should be an exciting back half of the 2022-23 season. It sets the stage for a crucial matchup between No. 1 Tennessee and No. 3 Georgia this weekend. (FOX Sports)

🏀 NBA Power Rankings

The surprises continue across the NBA as the third week of the 2022-23 season gets underway. The Milwaukee Bucks stand alone as the last undefeated team, and get appropriate placement at the top of this week's power rankings. (ESPN)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Commanders Owner Dan Snyder ‘Exploring All Options’ in Sale of Team (Yahoo! Sports)
• Kansas Suspends Basketball Coach Bill Self 4 Games for Infractions (ESPN)
• Michigan State Suspends Four More Players in Wake of Tunnel Brawl (SI)
• Vikings CB Patrick Peterson Details ‘Disrespect’ With Cardinals GM (CBS Sports)

• Kyrie Irving & Nets to Donate $500K Each After Anti-Semitic Post (B/R)

• Gonzaga in Talks With Big 12 About Joining Conference (ESPN)

• No. 2 Quarterback in 2024 Class Commits to Alabama (USA Today)

Support The Sportsletter Team

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Technical Lead: Kevin Lonergan

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