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Good morning! Ignore the haters today.
Droughts: Will a title-starved MLB team win it all?
Half of the teams in baseball’s Division Series, which start today, are working on World Series droughts of at least three decades. For several of them, that equates to “forever.” The Brewers, with home-field advantage throughout the postseason, have completed 56 seasons and not yet won it all. The Mariners, the No. 2 seed in the American League, have played 48 ringless seasons. The Tigers have played 40 (last title: 1984), the Blue Jays 31.
These series were almost even more drought-heavy. The Guardians (a league-longest 76 years), Padres (56) and Reds (34) lost in the wild-card round. Today’s Game 1 times:
2:08 p.m. ET on TBS: Cubs at Brewers
4:08 p.m. ET on Fox: Yankees at Blue Jays
6:38 p.m. ET on TBS: Dodgers at Phillies
8:38 p.m. ET on Fox: Tigers at Mariners
A bit more on our four championship-starved contenders, with their World Series-winning odds rated on a personalized emoji scale out of five.
The Mariners have a terrific lineup, led by 60-homer switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh and featuring several other very good hitters. Julio Rodríguez was the team’s franchise player before Raleigh’s breakout and one day will be again. The rotation is deep even if Bryan Woo isn’t healthy. Possibility of ending the drought: 🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱 (17.2 percent championship odds, per FanGraphs, second-highest in MLB after the Dodgers.)
The Blue Jays’ vibes were not good leaving spring training, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lacked a contract extension and the team appeared unserious about keeping its star player past this year. Vladito got his $500 million extension in April, but the Jays treaded water into May. They caught fire in June and July, enjoying revival seasons from vets George Springer, Alejandro Kirk and Bo Bichette. This may be Bichette’s last ride with the only team he’s ever known. Possibility of ending the drought: 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 (9 percent).
The Brewers have been the best pitching team in baseball for most of the season, with a league-leading 3.47 ERA and second-best 3.77 FIP since May 1. They also may get contributions this series from consistent but recently injured vet Brandon Woodruff. The lineup features nine guys who range from “fine” to “quite good,” and a lineup with no stars and no holes can do wonders. Possibility of ending the drought: 🍺🍺 (6.5 percent).
The Tigers are living proof of the randomness of the MLB playoffs. This team was 15 1/2 games ahead of the Guardians, lost the division to them and then went to Cleveland and won a three-game series after backing into a wild-card spot. Detroit could start Tarik Skubal twice. Possibility of ending the drought: 🚗🚗 (6 percent).
Personally, give me Seattle, for the poetry of it. This franchise could not win it all with Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Ichiro or Felix Hernandez. I’d enjoy seeing them take advantage of Raleigh’s all-time season and put a ring on it.
Watch: Rates & Barrels have an in-depth preview on all four Division Series matchups, and we have series predictions right here.
News to Know
WNBA commissioner addresses criticism
Before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals tipped off last night, commissioner Cathy Engelbert took to the podium for what was bound to be an intrigue-filled presser after Napheesa Collier’s blistering comments on the league’s leadership earlier this week. Engelbert largely downplayed Collier’s comments while calling out “a lot of inaccuracies reported out there.” Read her full remarks. As Marcus Thompson wrote, it might not be long before Engelbert is on her way out.
Don’t let Engelbert’s comments distract you from what was an incredibly entertaining Game 1 between the Aces and Mercury. Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas missed a pair of clutch free throws late, paving the way for Las Vegas to escape at home. This one feels like it could go seven.
Schlittler hits back at Red Sox fans
Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler said Red Sox fans “crossed the line” by attacking members of his family on social media. The 24-year-old rookie, a Massachusetts native who grew up a Red Sox fan, threw a gem to bounce Boston out of the postseason Thursday. He said yesterday the win felt personal for him after the harassment of his family. Schlittler even threw a few jabs back himself on social media.
More news:
A former Jets VP filed a lawsuit against the team claiming she was fired in retaliation after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against team president Hymie Elhai. More details.
Former NFL player Arthur Jones — a Super Bowl champion with the Ravens and brother of Jon and Chandler Jones — died yesterday. He was 39.
After a blown call in Game 3 on Thursday night, Padres players and staff berated members of the umpiring crew as they were walking off the field. Watch the full scene unfold.
The Mets are completely overhauling their coaching staff after a disappointing year. Not surprising.
Speaking of new regimes, the Rangers officially named 45-year-old Skip Schumaker as the team’s new manager last night.
LIV Golf Ltd lost nearly $600M in 2024 alone. These numbers are staggering. 😮
Watch Guide
Here’s today’s full college football schedule. Some highlights follow.
📺 CFB: Virginia at Louisville
3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Make this game the primary focus of your late-afternoon window, instead of helmet games like Boise State-Notre Dame (not likely to be close) and Texas-Florida (gross). Whoever wins between UVA and U of L will have a real chance in the ACC race.
📺 CFB: Miami at Florida State
7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Speaking of the ACC race, it runs through Miami. The Hurricanes are a legit national title threat, and FSU may be playing this rivalry game with some desperation after losing to UVA. (I still think the Seminoles are pretty good but will soon be on a two-game losing streak.)
📺 “Chad Powers”
Streaming on Hulu
I cannot believe I’m telling you this show is good. But I’m telling you it’s good.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
Former NFL player Greg Olsen is answering philosophical and practical questions about youth sports for us every month at The Athletic. Read his first answers — and submit your own questions — here.
Ever struggle to decide on a movie to watch? Pretend the NYT’s list of the 100 best movies of the 21st century is a slot machine. Close your eyes, scroll, and watch whatever you land on. — Jacob Robinson
The Utah Mammoth are dealing with another trademark issue around their team name, as Sean Gentille helpfully explains.
Of course I’m listening to “The Life of a Showgirl” this weekend. My too-early favorite is “Elizabeth Taylor,” and I was reenacting the Leonardo DiCaprio Pointing meme when I heard the “New Heights” shout-out in “Wood.” (Don’t listen to that one with your kids.) — Hannah Vanbiber
The Athletic’s weekly sports news quiz.
Geese’s “Getting Killed.” First and foremost, it’s a great rock album. But it’s also so much more: an unexpected, odd, interesting, innovative wall of sound. Give it a taste test on Spotify and buy it on Bandcamp. — Alex Iniguez
Do yourself a favor and start rewatching and binge Golden Girls. I’m not sure how many people realize how wide-ranging and hilarious this show still is today. One of the greatest sitcoms ever. — Zach Harper
From earlier this week: Asli Pelit detailed how the Washington Spirit are turning their stadium into a place of support for furloughed federal employees.
Most Halloween decor is cheap junk. But my fellow home-decor experts and I have found some spooky, utterly charming decorations that will actually last beyond the holiday — including a hand-blown glass vase and skeleton servers. — Dorie Chevlen
This story on how to fix the Colorado Rockies made me wanna come out of retirement in Out of the Park Baseball. I can fix them. — Jason Kirk
The Athletic’s Gabby Herzig went from writing about the Ryder Cup last week to playing in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Am this week. 👏
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our news story on ICE agents at the Super Bowl.
Most-read on the website yesterday: MLB playoff predictions. Phillies-Dodgers takes might surprise you.
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(Top photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)