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Good Morning,
We could see the first World Series ticket punched tonight. Both the Braves and Astros are officially on the brink of the Fall Classic. Meanwhile, Night 2 of the NBA’s season-openers and Matchday 3 in the Champions League highlighted Wednesday’s wild night of sports.
Letter Rip!
MLB Braves & Astros on the Brink 
Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Braves Crush Dodgers (9-2) to Take 3-1 Series Lead; Astros Roll Red Sox (9-1) to Take 3-2 Series Lead
We’re on the brink of a Braves-Astros World Series matchup after Wednesday’s action. Both teams dominated from start to finish to clear a path to the Fall Classic in the coming days. From Eddie Rosario’s two-homer night to an Astros sixth-inning explosion, here’s how the two teams inched closer to the big one.
NLCS Gm 4: Braves def. Dodgers (9-2) The Eddie Rosario show continues for the Braves. Atlanta’s left-fielder crushed two home runs in Game 4 and ended the night 4-for-5 with four RBIs. He just a double away from hitting for the cycle, too. The Braves tagged a handful of runs through the first five innings against Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias, but a four-run ninth put Game 4 in the bag. (ATL Leads Series 3-1)
ALCS Gm 5: Astros def. Red Sox (9-1) Astros’ ace Framber Valdez was the star of the show in Game 5 of the ALCS with a 1-run, 8-inning gem. Valdez gave up just three hits while striking out five Red Sox batters en route to a Houston runaway. Yordan Alvarez held the big bat for the ‘Stros with a 3-for-5 night that included two-run blast and three RBIs. (HOU Leads Series 3-2)
Upcoming Schedule NLCS Gm 5: Braves at Dodgers (Thurs. 8:00 pm ET) ALCS Gm 6: Red Sox at Astros (Fri. 8:00 pm ET)
Additional Storylines B/R: Astros Primed for World Series Return Thanks to Framber Valdez’s Throwback Gem MLB: Rosario & Duvall Hit Atlanta’s First Back-to-Back Playoff HRs Since 2002
NBA Night 2: The Season-Openers 
Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images Knicks Hold Off Celtics in 2OT Thriller (138-134, 2 OT) on Night 2 of NBA Season-Openers
After Tuesday’s two-pack of season-opening games, the NBA’s second edition of opening night brought 11 games to the forefront. Among the highlights was an epic duel at Madison Square Garden between the Knicks and Celtics where New York won it double overtime (138-134, 2OT). Julius Randle was the star for the winning side with 35 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds — he spoiled Jaylen Brown’s 46-point night. Here are the top performers and game highlights from Wednesday:
Top Performers J. Brown (BOS): 46 pts, 9 rebs, 6 asts J. Morant (MEM): 37 pts, 6 rebs, 6 asts H. Barnes (SAC): 36 pts, 9 rebs J. Randle (NYK): 35 pts, 8 rebs, 9 asts D. Sabonis (IND): 33 pts, 15 rebs L. Ball (CHA): 31 pts, 9 rebs, 7 asts
Game Highlights Knicks def. Celtics (138-134, 2OT) Grizzlies def. Cavaliers (132-121) Timberwolves def. Rockets (124-106)
Additional Storylines B/R: Nets Facing Questions They Shouldn’t Have to in Kyrie Irving’s Absence SI: Knicks Overcome 4th Quarter Collapse, Beat Celtics in Double OT
SOCCER Champions League Powers Prevail 
Photo: Naomi Baker / Getty Images Chelsea, Bayern, Man. United, Liverpool, PSG, Real Madrid & Man. City All Winners in Matchday 3
The last two days of Champions League action was nearly a clean sweep for European powers as the top players in the world shined for their clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo provided the game-winner in Manchester United’s 3-2 comeback victory over Atalanta. Lionel Messi scored twice for PSG on Tuesday. Chelsea (4-0), Bayern Munich (4-0), Manchester City (5-1) and Real Madrid (5-0) were all blowout winners. Here are the top match highlights from Matchday 3:
Matchday 3 Highlights Man. United def. Atalanta (3-2) Barcelona def. Dynamo Kyiv (1-0) Liverpool def. Atletico Madrid (3-2) Man. City def. Club Brugge (5-1) Real Madrid def. Shakhtar Donetsk (5-0)
Additional Storylines UEFA: Champions League Group Stage Standings After Matchday 3 ESPN: Ronaldo’s Man-U Critics Proven Wrong by Champions League Display
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THE STORYLINES 🏈 The Deshaun Watson Trade Saga The Deshaun Watson rumor mill has slowed to a near-standstill with the Texans quarterback still facing a litany of lawsuits alleging sexual assault or misconduct. But that could change very soon. In fact, the former Pro Bowler might be on a new team within days. (CBS Sports)
🏀 NBA Expert Picks for MVP, ROY & More Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo picked up where he left off on opening night, pouring in 32 points with 14 rebounds and 7 assists. We're only two games into the campaign, but our NBA experts are already making their picks for the six major awards. (ESPN)
A week into the season, the NHL’s newest team is 1-3-1 on the ice, and undefeated in the contest of local public opinion. Nowhere is that more obvious than Seattle’s original hockey bar… The Kraken make their home debut on Saturday. (NY Times)
📰 THE HEADLINES Browns Announce QB Case Keenum Will Start Thursday Night in Place of Baker Mayfield (CBS Sports)
Packers Sign Former Texans Pass-Rusher Whitney Mercilus (ESPN)
Novak Djokovic Could Miss Australian Open Due to COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (SI)
Pelicans & Jonas Valanciunas Agree to 2-Year, $30 Million Extension (Bleacher Report)
Washington State Football Coach Nick Rolovich Suing School Over Vaccine-Related Firing (Yahoo! Sports)
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