Today's Action: Friday, October 23 — World Series Game 1 Takes Over a Loaded Friday

The Fall Classic is here. Milwaukee and Tampa Bay, the best teams in each league during the regular season, open the World Series tonight at American Family Field, and neither franchise has ever won one. Around it you get Knicks-Celtics in the Garden, Wembanyama against Durant in Austin, and two ACC games that keep football going past midnight. Get the snacks ready early.

Today's Top Matchups

MLB | World Series Game 1: Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers — 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT, FOX

Milwaukee (103-59) got here by sweeping the Dodgers in the NLCS, which ended L.A.'s run at a third straight title, and Jake Bauers was the series MVP. This is the Brewers' first pennant since moving to the National League and their first World Series trip since 1982. Tampa Bay (98-64) swept the Yankees, then beat Cleveland in six to win its third pennant. Jacob Misiorowski starts for Milwaukee after leading MLB with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and a 0.80 WHIP. Drew Rasmussen (16-5, 2.67) is expected to go for the Rays on four days' rest, and Tampa has won 14 of his last 15 starts.

The Edge: Milwaukee is better positioned, but it's closer than the records say. Misiorowski has the best stuff on the field, but he's averaged only four or so innings per playoff start, so this game is likely to come down to the bullpens. Milwaukee's relievers have a 1.33 ERA this postseason, and they're at home. Tampa's hope is that Rasmussen goes deep and the game stays tight long enough for closer Bryan Baker, who has five saves and has allowed one hit in seven playoff innings. The numbers favor the Brewers' depth in a low-scoring game.

NBA | New York Knicks at Boston Celtics — 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT, Prime Video

It's the second game of the season, and it already feels important. Both teams lost their openers, including the Knicks' 106-100 loss to Philadelphia, and one of these Eastern Conference contenders will start the year 0-2. Mitchell Robinson makes his home debut for Boston after leaving New York, against the team that drafted him. The Knicks have no injuries. Boston is missing only guard Devin Carter, who is out with an illness and has no timetable to return.

The Edge: Boston has the edge at home, but not by much. The Garden crowd, Robinson's knowledge of the Knicks' sets, and a nearly healthy roster give the Celtics a slightly better setup. New York, though, has full health on its side and a bad opener to forget. This is a game where people are going to fade the public. Expect it to come down to the final two minutes.

NBA | Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Moody Center, Austin) — 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT, Prime Video

The I-35 rivalry heads to Austin for a neutral-site home game. Houston (1-0) brings Kevin Durant, who is still shooting over 41% from three, and Alperen Şengün, who leads the team in rebounds and assists. San Antonio (0-1) went 62-20 last season, and Victor Wembanyama is averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and more than three blocks a game. The Spurs won the last two meetings, including a 145-120 win in March. Injury notes: Houston is without Steven Adams (calf), Jayden Quaintance is out for San Antonio (knee), and Tobias Harris is day-to-day (calf).

The Edge: San Antonio is better positioned. Without Adams, Houston has one fewer big body to throw at Wemby, and the Spurs aren't going to start 0-2 in front of a sold-out crowd in Austin. Durant can still make it close by himself, but Wembanyama's defense is the best thing on the floor.

NCAAF | Duke at Virginia — 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT, ESPN

Friday night in Charlottesville means something in the ACC standings. Duke (4-2) comes in with quarterback Walker Eget and a defense whose top priority is stopping the run. Virginia (4-3) runs its offense through quarterback Pribula, whose legs can turn broken plays into first downs. Virginia leads the all-time series 42-35, but Duke won last year's game.

The Edge: Most people are sleeping on Duke. Virginia is at home and slightly favored by public perception, but the Blue Devils have the deeper roster and the better defensive front to keep Pribula in the pocket. If Duke protects Eget and the football, the road team is the better setup.

NCAAF | NC State at Stanford — 10:30 PM ET / 9:30 PM CT, ESPN

Your late-night game. NC State (3-3, 1-2 ACC) needs to bounce back after a 38-14 home loss to Wake Forest, and CJ Bailey's offense scores 33 points per game. Stanford's defense allows 36.6 points per game, one of the worst marks in FBS, and the Cardinal's run game ranks 131st nationally at 103.4 yards per game. The only previous meeting was in 2024, when NC State won 59-28 in Raleigh.

The Edge: NC State has the edge, and it isn't close. An offense that scores reliably is facing a defense that can't stop anyone, and Stanford's offense can't run well enough to keep the Wolfpack off the field. The only real threat is the cross-country trip and the late kickoff.

Also on the board: Lakers vs. Clippers in L.A., Pistons at Heat, Grizzlies at Warriors for Golden State's home opener, and Army at Tulsa (8:30 PM ET, ESPN2) for anyone who likes triple-option football on a Friday night.

The FadeThePublic Gear Call

It's the World Series, which means October baseball and a pitcher who led the majors with 252 strikeouts starting Game 1. If Misiorowski is in control, you'll see a lot of backwards Ks on the scoreboard in Milwaukee tonight. Celebrate them with the Backwards K Baseball Snapback Hat. It's the hat for anyone who knows a called strike three is the best play in baseball, and it works on the couch, at a watch party, or in a packed bar for the first pitch.

Two teams that have never won a ring, nine innings to get started, and a full Friday night around it — it's time for the World Series.