The Sportsletter - Previewing The Fall Classic

BY JEFF YODER, MATTHEW CAHILL, AND ANDREW KAN

OCT. 26, 2021  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  BROWSER VIEW

Sponsored By Drink LMNT

Welcome Back,

The World Series kicks off tonight in Houston as the Astros take on the Braves. We’ve got a preview to get you ready for baseball’s biggest stage.

Letter Rip!

MLB

Previewing The Fall Classic

Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images

World Series Game 1: Braves vs. Astros (Tonight, 8:00 PM ET)

The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros will face off in Game 1 of the 2021 World Series tonight in what many would consider an unlikely matchup. The best-of-seven series will start in Houston’s Minute Maid Park for Games 1 and 2 before heading over to Atlanta’s Truist Park for Games 3 through (potentially) 5. If the series requires more games, the remaining games 6 and 7 would be played on the Astros home turf. 

Despite being below .500 at the All-Star break and having the least amount of wins among postseason teams (88), the Braves managed to knock out the defending champion Dodgers in six games, even without superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. who has been sidelined since July with a torn ACL. This will be the Braves’ first World Series of the 21st century after losing to the New York Yankees in 1999.

The Astros enter the World Series fresh off of taking down the Red Sox in six games themselves. It was announced on Monday that pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. will not be joining the roster for the World Series due of a forearm injury which also kept him out of the AL Championship Series. They of course are also missing Justin Verlander, who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery in October of 2020. 

The Braves and Astros have not met since a two-game inter-league series at Truist Park, then known as SunTrust Park, on July 4-5, 2017. The World Series 2021 Game 1 will start at 8:00 pm ET.

Additional Storylines

ESPN: World Series 2021: Everything you need to know about Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros

The Athletic: Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to Miss World Series vs. Braves Due to injury

NFL

Saints Survive Seahawks on MNF

Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images

Monday Night Football: Alvin Kamara (179 Yds, TD) Shines as Saints Get Road Win in Seattle (13-10)

Week 7 came to a close last night in the Seattle rain where the Saints picked up a gritty road win against the Seahawks. After letting up an 84 yard touchdown to DK Metcalf early in the first, the New Orleans defense settled in and shut down Seattle, allowing just 3 points the rest of the way. Rookie Brian Johnson nailed a 33-yard field goal with two minutes left to put the Saints up 3, which led to New Orleans sacking backup QB Geno Smith twice on the final drive to ice the game. Alvin Kamara did the heavy lifting for the Saints, getting 30 touches on 66 offensive plays, tallying 179 total yards and scoring a touchdown in the process.

Top Performers

RB Alvin Kamara (NO): 20 carries, 51 yards. 10 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD

WR DK Metcalf (SEA): 2 receptions, 98 yards, TD

QB Jameis Winston (NO): 19/35, 222 yards, 1 TD

Watch: Saints vs. Seahawks Week 7 Highlights

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Alvin Kamara Makes History During Win Against Seahawks  

Pro Football Network: Week 8 Power Rankings

NBA

Tatum And Brown Outshine Buzzing Hornets

Photo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images

Boston Pulls Away Late In Overtime Thriller Against The Hornets (140-129)

One of the biggest storylines early on this season has been the rise of the Charlotte Hornets, who knocked off the Nets on Sunday to start 3-0 for the first time in franchise history. Unfortunately for Charlotte, their hot start came to an end last night at the hands of the Boston Celtics.

How The Game Was Won

In a back and forth affair all night long, LaMelo Ball hit a three to put the Hornets up two with 1:09 left. Jayson Tatum then followed that up with a pair of clutch free throws to tie the game up which led to overtime. After falling down by three early in OT, Boston ended the game on a 14-0 run to come out victorious in Charlotte, highlighted by this incredible poster dunk by Jaylen Brown. 

Boston’s Budding Stars

Jayson Tatum went for 41 points in last night’s victory while Jaylen Brown poured in 30 himself. They’re currently averaging a combined 55.8 points per game, as both are putting up career high scoring numbers (27.5 PPG for Tatum, 28.3 PPG for Brown). While they both made the All-Star game last year, it looks like they may be knocking on the door of superstardom if they continue their stellar play. 

Additional Storylines

Chicago Tribune: Bulls Improve to 4-0, Their Best Start in 25 Years

CBS Sports: Nine First-Week NBA Storylines Not Involving Kyrie Irving or Ben Simmons

SPONSORED

Drink LMNT

Zero Sugar Hydration to Recharge Your Body

Every athlete knows the importance of hydration, but a lot of the options for replenishing electrolytes aren’t always healthy. Drink LMNT is a tasty electrolyte drink mix with no sugar, no coloring, no junk, and it’s perfectly suited for those following a keto, low-carb or paleo diet. And now, there’s a special offer just for Sportsletter readers…

Get A Free LMNT Recharge Sample Pack

(just pay shipping)

THE HIGHLIGHTS

🏀NBA: Lauri Markkanen Dunks All Over The MVP

The Cavaliers picked up a great road win over the Nuggets on Monday night, highlighted by Lauri Markkanen's monster dunk and stare down on Nikola Jokic. 

🏀NBA: John Collins Posterizes Kelly Olynyk

With John Collins being one of the premier lob threats in the league, we're not quite sure why Kelly Olynyk decided to contest this 2-on-1 transition alley-oop which resulted in an epic poster dunk.   

🏒NHL: T. J. Oshie's Hat Trick

In the Capitals' 7-5 victory over the Senators, T.J. Oshie went for his fifth career hat trick.  

THE STORYLINES

🏈  NFL Free Agents Who Can Fuel Playoff Runs

Some teams appear poised for a postseason run but are still one or two pieces short of becoming a high-end Super Bowl contender… unless they shore up some major areas of concern. (Bleacher Report)

🏀  NBA Young Core Rankings

The NBA belongs to youth. So who has the brightest future in the league? We ranked each team’s collection of under-25 players based on their projections through the next half-decade. (The Ringer)

🏎️  NASCAR’s Road to Glory

Martinsville will determine who joins Kyle Larson in the Championship 4. There are four drivers, in addition to Joey Logano, who are in a fight for what likely will be the final spot. (FOX Sports)

📰 THE HEADLINES

Jets QB Zach Wilson Out 2-4 Weeks With Knee Injury

(SI)

Jets Acquire QB Joe Flacco in Trade With Eagles

(NFL.com)

Bears Have 4 Players & Head Coach Matt Nagy on COVID-19 List

(Yahoo! Sports)

MLB ‘Almost Certain’ to Have First Work Stoppage on Dec. 2 Due to New CBA

(CBS Sports)

Olympic Sprinter Alex Quinonez Fatally Shot in Ecuador

(USA Today)

SHARE SPORTS

Share The Sportsletter with family and friends using your unique Team ID and you'll get rewarded with team gear as you rack up points and climb the ranks!

Support The Sportsletter

Did Someone Forward You This Email? Subscribe Here
Feedback? Contact Our Editor: Jeff@TheSportsletter.com
Not Loving The Letter? Unsubscribe
Follow us on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Copyright © 2021 The Sportsletter
717 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103