What to know for the World Series 2021 matchup between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves-
The following written content by Eric Levenson
Major League Baseball’s next champion will soon be crowned as the Atlanta Braves take on the Houston Astros in the best-of-seven World Series starting Tuesday night.
The Astros most recently won the World Series in 2017 and have been one of the most dominant — and controversial — teams of the past few years. The Braves, meanwhile, have been consistently competitive in recent seasons but are making their first World Series appearance since 1999.
Here’s what to know ahead of the first pitch.
Who’s playing
The Houston Astros won the AL West with a 95-67 record and are led by diminutive second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa and pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia.
They beat the Chicago White Sox in the best-of-five Division Series and then took down the Boston Red Sox in the best-of-seven Championship Series to get to the World Series.
The Atlanta Braves punched their ticket to the playoffs by winning the NL East with an underwhelming record of 88-73, the fewest wins of any playoff team. They did so after a slow start to the season and despite losing one of their best players, Ronald Acuña Jr., who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in July.
Once in the playoffs, the Braves upset the 95-win Milwaukee Brewers in the best-of-five Division Series, and they then defeated the 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers in the best-of-seven Championship Series to clinch their spot in the World Series.
The Braves will be competing for their first World Series title since 1995, the only championship for the franchise while in Atlanta. They are led by last year’s Most Valuable Player first baseman Freddie Freeman, hot-hitting outfielder Eddie Rosario and starting pitchers Charlie Morton and Max Fried.
Manager Brian Snitker is looking for his first World Series title while leading the team, and he’ll have to do so against a familiar face; his son Troy Snitker is Houston’s hitting coach.
Schedule
Game 1 is set for Tuesday, October 26, followed by Game 2 on Wednesday, both in Houston’s Minute Maid Park. Games 3, 4 and 5 are set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Truist Park in Atlanta, and then Games 6 and 7 (if needed) will take place in Houston on Tuesday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 3. Read more from Cable News.
