World Series Game 3 tonight! Here’s a guide

View in browser    A friend of mine who plays in a fantasy baseball league down here with me in Georgia has, for years, named his team "Not Since 1995." The name is a reference, of course, to how long it has been since the Braves last won the World Series -- their one World Series championship during their run of 14 consecutive division titles. But it's not just about the Braves. It's about the overall title drought that has plagued Atlanta and Georgia sports teams since then, all the painful moments, from the 3-1 NLCS collapse last year, to the Georgia Bulldogs' regular rite of pain, to the notorious 28-3 Super Bowl faceplant against Tom Brady and the Patriots. Unless you count Atlanta United's MLS Cup in 2018 -- and while I, as a United fan, do count it, most Georgia sports fans don't -- no major sports city in the U.S. has a longer drought.    But: Unlike Red Sox fans before 2004, who walked around the world waiting for the piano to fall on their head, Atlanta sports fans always still believe. They will forever feel like this is the year. One of these years they're going to be right. It might even be this one.   This is all to say: The fans at Truist Park are going to be ready for the first World Series game the Braves have played on their home field this century. Truist is a relatively new ballpark, only in its fifth season, and while the Braves have played some postseason games there -- 17, to be exact, before tonight -- the noise that stadium has been making so far this October has been unprecedented, even a little staggering. I was there for Game 6  against the Dodgers, and let there be no question: Braves fans were certain they were clinching that night, and acted accordingly. And they were right.   These three games are sure to have constant twists and turns, and if you think the Astros, with their lineup and the Braves' sudden, unfortunate paucity of starting pitchers in the wake of Charlie Morton's broken leg, are in the driver's seat, I'm not sure I disagree with you. But tonight, more than two decades of Braves fans frustration and anticipation will be released. It will be quite a sight, and a long, long time coming. I might bring my earplugs, though: Just in case.   -- Will Leitch This morning's top news World Series Game 3 FAQ (8 ET, FOX) Padres to hire A's Melvin as skipper (sources) Roundtable: Who has the edge in Game 3? 3 factors that could decide World Series Gold Glove Award finalists unveiled Here's why starting Alvarez in left is right call Who has better 'pen plan -- Astros or Braves? Braves' six lefty relievers on verge of history Garcia looks to rekindle ALCS magic in Game 3 'Old soul': Anderson's stuff beyond his years     (1-1) World Series Gm 3 Houston @ Atlanta  Truist Park | Fri., 8:09 pm ET    (1-1) Projected Lineups: Luis Garcia, RHP #77 11-8 | 3.48 ERA | 167 K Postseason: 1-1 | 9.64 | 12K Ian Anderson, RHP #36 9-5 | 3.58 ERA | 124 K Postseason: 1-0 | 2.25 | 12K 1. Jose Altuve, 2B 2. Michael Brantley, RF 3. Alex Bregman, 3B 4. Yordan Alvarez, LF 5. Carlos Correa, SS 6. Kyle Tucker, CF 7. Yuli Gurriel, 1B 8. Martín Maldonado, C 9. Luis Garcia, P 1. Eddie Rosario, LF 2. Freddie Freeman, 1B 3. Ozzie Albies, 2B 4. Austin Riley, 3B 5. Jorge Soler, RF 6. Adam Duvall, CF 7. Travis d'Arnaud, C 8. Dansby Swanson, SS 9. Ian Anderson, P   Who's hot and who's not? Astros: Michael Brantley followed up a three-hit performance in Game 1 of the World Series with two more hits in Game 2 and is batting .556 in the Fall Classic and .352 in the postseason.   Alex Bregman is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in the World Series and is batting .239 for the postseason.   Braves: Travis d'Arnaud has turned his October around during the World Series, batting .375 with his first home run of the postseason in Game 2. Meanwhile, Jorge Soler hasn't missed a beat after being sidelined earlier in October, going 3-for-9 with a homer in the first two games.   Joc Pederson has cooled off after delivering some big hits in the first two rounds, going 1-for-8 with three strikeouts so far in the World Series. A few more things to see ... Not-so-secret weapon Make no mistake: The show's on the field. But Braves organist Matthew Kaminski is worth the price of admission with his clever song choices. It's a small World (Series) From Ted Simmons to Charlie Morton, at least one former teammate of John Smoltz has played in every World Series since 1982. No ordinary Winter Leaguer Albert Pujols has never been traded during his Major League career. But now he has been traded in the Dominican Winter League. Players Choice Awards unveiled The players themselves recognized baseball's best, and it was only fitting that MLB's two-way superstar took home two trophies. Braves remember legends This is the first October since the passing of Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Phil Niekro and Don Sutton, each of whom made a lasting mark on Atlanta. Game 3 Watch Party Join some of your favorite MLB Network personalities and special guests on the MLB Tonight Watch Party presented by Evan Williams Bourbon, live on MLBNetwork.com, MLB.com, and MLB Network's Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch channels. The Run, Episode 9 Our podcast series on the 2016 Cubs concludes. We go through the best stories from the aftermath of Game 7, and a host of special guests share their memories of that magical afterglow on "Fly the W." Today's Trivia Question Who was the opposing starter for John Smoltz's first career World Series victory? Answer » © 2021 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com. Any other marks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners. Please review our Privacy Policy. You (gahleexholly.hdhask@blogger.com) received this message because you registered to receive commercial email messages from MLB.com. Please add info@mail.mlblists.com to your address book to ensure our messages reach your inbox. If you no longer wish to receive commercial email messages from MLB.com, please unsubscribe or log in and manage your email subscriptions. Postal Address: MLB.com, c/o MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.