Gamethread: Braves at Astros (World Series Game 1)

Here we are, the World Series. Two of the least likable teams (and/or fan bases) in the game, playing for all of the marbles. Leave it to the Astros and Atlanta to make you miss the New York Yankees.

Anyway, here goes!

You think the Astros MLB writer wrote this gem of an excerpt from the MLB preview?

With the venerable Dusty Baker searching for his first World Series title as a manager, the Astros have had to endure boobirds in this first season with fans in the stands after their sign-stealing scandal erupted in late 2019. Another pennant won’t silence the skeptics, though they are quickly running out of ammo.

“I think this team is way past that [scandal], because they know they can play,” Baker said. “We are here where we wanted to be, and so we just play the game. You play the game for the love of the game and the love of winning, and they’re about winning, and I’m about winning.”

Barf!

Good news for Atlanta, Jorge Soler is back from Covid IL and should serve as the DH for the series. No lineups are out as of this writing, but manager Brian Snitker says that Eddie Rosario (14-for-25 in his NLCS MVP performance) will remain in the leadoff spot.

The pitching matchup has been announced, and it’s a nice one: Charlie Morton for the visitors, Framber Valdez for the home team. Morton has a lot of postseason experience, while Valdez pitched a bonafide gem in his last outing (ALCS Game 5).

Lance McCullers Jr., who largely stymied the White Sox in two ALDS starts, remains injured and will not pitch for Houston in the Series.

Game time is 7:09 p.m. CT on Fox. ESPN has your radio call.