The Sportsletter - Flying Into the LCS

BY JEFF YODER

OCT. 13, 2021  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  BROWSER VIEW

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Good Morning,

Yesterday’s Sportsletter was not sent out due to technical difficulties. We’ll catch you up on the last two days of sports news in today’s edition. Let's start with two more tickets punched to the LCS. 

Letter Rip!

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MLB

Freddie Let's It Fly!

Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

Braves & Astros Join Red Sox in LCS; Dodgers-Giants Going to Game 5

Three of baseball’s final four teams are set after Tuesday’s double dose of series-clinching wins from the Braves and Astros. The Astros blew out the White Sox (10-1) before the Braves topped the Brewers (5-4) thanks to Freddie Freeman’s go-ahead home run in the 8th inning. Meanwhile, the Giants and Dodgers are going to Game 5 in the NLDS after Los Angeles tied the series at two games apiece. We have all three of Tuesday’s recaps below:

ALDS Gm 4: Astros def. White Sox (10-1)

Another year, another trip to the ALCS for the Houston Astros. The ‘Stros are on their way to a fifth straight ALCS after Jose Altuve starred in Game 4. Altuve went 3-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Houston bats. Now, it’s Astros-Red Sox in an ALCS showdown. (HOU Wins Series 3-1)

NLDS Gm 4: Braves def. Brewers (5-4)

Freddie Freeman played hero for the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 with a 3-for-5 night that featured an 8th-inning go-ahead solo home run. That homer proved to be the dagger that sent Atlanta to its second straight NLCS. They fell to the Dodgers last season, and they could get a rematch with L.A. following Game 5 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and Giants. (ATL Wins Series 3-1)

NLDS Gm 4: Dodgers def. Giants (7-2)

It’s all even out west! The Dodgers tied the series with a no-doubter in Game 4 on Tuesday behind Walker Buehler’s start on short rest. Buehler went four-plus innings with just three hits, one earned run and four strikeouts. Six Dodger batters recorded multiple hits, including HRs from Mookie Betts and Wil Smith. Game 5 heads back to San Francisco on Thursday (9:00 pm ET) for a winner-take-all matchup. (Series Tied 2-2)

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Freddie Freeman’s ‘Perfect Ending’ Lifts Braves Into NLCS

B/R: Cheating Scandals, Injuries and Slumps Don’t Matter: The Astros Are Inevitable

MLB: Short Rest No Issue for Dodgers P Walker Buehler in Game 4

NFL

NFL Storylines: Gruden's Resignation

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Jon Gruden Out as Raiders Head Coach Following Email Probe

What started as one email from 2011 quickly turned into a career-ending week for Raiders head coach Jon Gruden. The New York Times released a report that showed multiple emails over a seven-year period that included misogynistic, racial and anti-gay language. Las Vegas team owner Al Davis reportedly met with Gruden on Monday following the release, and Gruden resigned a few hours later.

"I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction. Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff, and fans of Raider Nation. I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone.” — Jon Gruden

Additional Storylines

NFL: Jon Gruden Resigns as Raiders Head Coach

The Undefeated: Jon Gruden is Gone, Now the NFL Should Get Rid of Those Enablers

Monday Night Football Rewind

Lamar Jackson Sparks Ravens' 22-Point Comeback

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens stole the show on Monday Night Football with a 22-point, second-half comeback against the Colts before a game-winning TD in overtime (31-25, OT). Jackson was spectacular, completing 37-of-43 passes for 442 yards and 4 TDs. He also scampered for 62 yards on the ground. The Ravens (4-1) have won four straight games to stand alone atop the AFC North.

Watch: Ravens def. Colts on MNF (31-25, OT)

Additional Storylines

Sporting News: 7 Crazy Stats From Lamar Jackson’s Ravens Comeback on MNF

B/R: New NFL Powering Rankings for Every Team Entering Week 6

NBA

NBA Storylines: The Kyrie Irving Saga

Photo: Steven Ryan / Getty Images

Brooklyn Nets Say Kyrie Irving Can’t Join Team Until Vaccinated

The Kyrie Irving saga in Brooklyn got another twist on Tuesday when the team announced their star point guard would be ineligible to join the team if he remains unvaccinated. Team owner Sean Marks made the announcement on Tuesday. Irving’s decision to not comply with the New York City COVID-19 vaccination mandate meant he would be unable to play in 43 games this season.

Irving has yet to make a personal announcement about how he will handle the situation. It looks like the 29-year-old point guard could opt to retire unless traded to another city without a vaccination mandate.

Additional Storylines

Washington Post: Nets Give Kyrie Irving Ultimatum: Get Vaccinated or Stay Home

ESPN: Did the Nets Make the Right Choice With Kyrie Irving? (Video: PTI)

Ben Simmons Returns to 76ers

Among Monday’s other NBA storylines was the shocking return of Ben Simmons to Philadelphia. The 76ers guard previously demanded a trade and said he’d never play for the team again. After negotiations between the Sixers and Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul, he returned to the team on Tuesday.

Additional Storylines

PhillyVoice: Embiid, Sixers Teammates Prepare for Awkward Simmons’ Return

The Ringer: What We Know—And Don’t Know—About Ben Simmons’s Return to Philadelphia

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THE STORYLINES

⚾️  The ‘Heartbreaking’ Rays Ground-Rule Double

Had the ball not bounced over the fence, Diaz would have easily scored. Instead, crew chief Sam Holbrook called the umpires back toward the infield and they made a decision. (ESPN)

🏈  The Top Plays of Week 5 in the NFL

Week 5 of the NFL season featured a high-scoring affair in Southern California, the Cardinals remaining the league's only unbeaten team and missed kicks aplenty. (FOX Sports)

👟 Kenya Sweeps the Boston Marathon

The 2021 Boston Marathon returned with COVID-19 precautions in place for the 125th running on Sunday, and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto (men) and Diana Kipyogei (women) were the winners. (USA Today)

📰 THE HEADLINES

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Out for Remainder of Season With Shoulder Injury

(Bleacher Report)

Former UFC Star Chuck Liddell Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

(ESPN)

Miami Announces QB D’Eriq King Needs Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

(USA Today)

Buccaneers Remove Jon Gruden From Ring of Honor After Hateful Emails Exposed

(Yahoo! Sports)

Denmark Punches Ticket to 2022 World Cup

(SI)

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