Braves, Cards Kick Off Three-Game Set
Happy Friday! We’re officially a day away from our first college football Saturday of the fall, and I can’t wait. But we’ve also got a great Friday-night slate to look forward to in the meantime. The Braves and Cardinals have looked like two of baseball’s best lately, and they begin a series tonight in St. Louis. Plus, the college volleyball season gets off to a dynamite start, there’s more NFL preseason action, and it’s the second round of the PGA Tour Championship.
Here’s what I’m watching today.
A quick note: Due to COVID-19, sports schedules are fluid and subject to change.
MUST WATCH:
Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals
Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports
The Braves are once again nipping at the heels of the Mets for the NL East crown, winning eight of 10 games to trim New York’s division lead to just two games as we approach the season’s final month. Meanwhile, masterful baseball of late has allowed the Cards to open up a six game edge in the NL Central as Albert Pujols pushes for a 700th career home run and Paul Goldschmidt makes a sneaky run at the Triple Crown. These two teams are very dangerous, and this series should be a ton of fun to watch.
8:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network/Bally Sports Southeast and Midwest, watch on fuboTV
READ MORE:
- The Chase for 700 (and the NL Central Crown) (Dan Gartland)
- MLB Power Rankings: Deep Bullpens Keep Astros and Mariners Competitive (Nick Selbe)
- Albert Pujols Makes Young Fan’s Night, Gives Him Game-Worn Jersey (Joseph Salvador)
LINEUP:
• PGA Tour Championship | Scottie Scheffler started the tournament with an edge thanks to his season-long success, but he added to that with an opening-round 65 that gives him a five-shot lead heading into day two in Atlanta. Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick also posted low scores to kick off the tournament. All day, ESPN+, 1 p.m. ET, Golf Channel, watch on fuboTV
• OL Reign at Orlando Pride | The Reign are just four points behind the leaders in the crowded NWSL standings, and if Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle play like they did last time out against New York, that deficit could be erased quickly. The duo combined for three goals and an assist in the 4–1 win. 7 p.m. ET, Paramount+
• Women’s college volleyball: Texas at Ohio State | The college volleyball season gets underway with a bang tonight, as the No. 2 Longhorns head to Columbus to take on the No. 7 Buckeyes. Texas actually got the most first-place votes of any team in the AVCA Coaches Poll, but Nebraska narrowly earned the top spot in the preseason. 8 p.m. ET, FS1, watch on fuboTV
• Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners | Mitch Haniger’s first-inning homer was all the offense the Mariners needed to win the first game of this series. Who has the upper hand in Game 2 of this battle between playoff contenders? 10:10 p.m. ET, Apple TV+
HIDDEN GEM:
Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys
The Seahawks may no longer have Russell Wilson under center, but Pete Carroll seems confident in both Geno Smith and Drew Lock as replacements as the regular season inches closer. Meanwhile, the Cowboys were dealt a brutal blow earlier this week when star left tackle Tyron Smith went down with a leg injury that may end his season. Dallas still has plenty of star power on offense, but Dak Prescott will surely miss having Smith protecting his blind side.
8 p.m. ET, NFL Network, watch on fuboTV
Think we missed something worth watching? Reply to guide@si.com and let us know what we should be looking out for and why.
Happy streaming!
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