The Lead

The 2021 World Series gets underway tonight, and the Houston Astros are making an appearance for the third time in the last five seasons. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves are back in the World Series for the first time since 1999. Today, The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli tells us how these two powerhouses offenses match up, what’s at stake for both teams, and some under-the-radar players who could have a major impact. Follow Britt Ghiroli’s coverage of Major League Baseball: https://theathletic.com/author/brittany-ghiroli/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming into this season, the Seattle Seahawks were expected to contend for the NFC West title. However, heading into a Monday night matchup against the Saints, they’re 2-4, with franchise QB Russell Wilson on the sidelines for the first time in his career. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar to consider whether journeyman Geno Smith can keep the team afloat, and what might happen for Wilson — and the franchise — if he doesn’t. Follow Michael-Shawn Dugar’s coverage of the Seahawks: https://theathletic.com/author/michael-shawn-dugar/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Houston Astros hold a 3-2 lead on the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, putting them one game away from another World Series appearance. For their manager, the legendary Dusty Baker, another shot at the Fall Classic could give him a chance to rewrite a postseason legacy filled with near misses and tough beats. Today, The Athletic's Jake Kaplan joins us to talk about Baker's tough playoff past and what getting a ring would mean for the man who carried Satchel Paige's golf clubs and palled around with Hank Aaron.Read all of Jake Kaplans Astros coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/jake-kaplan/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two years ago, LSU football coach Ed Orgeron won a national championship and was on top of the college football world. But now, the native Louisianan is on his way out, with the school announcing on Sunday that he will not be back to coach the Tigers again next season (despite having several years left on his contract). Today, The Athletic's Brody Miller joins us to break down the complicated reasons behind Orgeron's departure, including poor performance on the field, questionable behavior with women, political and racial tension within the locker room, and a Title IX lawsuit alleging that he knew about, and failed to properly report, instances of sexual assault and harassment within the team.Read Brody Miller's full story about Ed Orgeron's downfall:https://theathletic.com/2891847/2021/10/17/he-lost-track-of-who-he-was-inside-ed-orgerons-fall-from-celebrated-son-of-louisiana-to-lsu-coaching-pariah/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Atlanta Braves had the fewest regular season wins of any team in the MLB playoffs. But now, they’re up two games to one on the reigning World Series champions, the L.A. Dodgers — and they’ve shown a knack for winning games in dramatic fashion along the way. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s David O’Brien to look at why these Braves seem to rise to the occasion, whether they can bounce back after a crushing Game 3 loss, and just how far their swagger can take them. Follow David O’Brien’s coverage of the Braves: https://theathletic.com/author/david-obrien/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A couple weeks ago, the Brooklyn Nets were downplaying concerns about Kyrie Irving's vaccination status and eligibility to play this season. Then, after he was unable to play with the team during much of preseason, those questions became more persistent. And on Wednesday, Irving published a video on Instagram Live where he essentially doubled down on his commitment to not get vaccinated -- and tried to explain his reasoning. Today, as the NBA season kicks off and the Nets begin their quest for a title, The Athletic's Alex Schiffer joins us to discuss the rather confusing video, what Kyrie claims to be standing up for, and how far he is willing to take his fight.Follow all of Alex Schiffer's Brooklyn Nets coverage:https://theathletic.com/author/alex-schiffer/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Baltimore Ravens made a statement on Sunday with their demolition of the Los Angeles Chargers. And while Lamar Jackson didn't put up spectacular numbers in that game, he's evolution as a passer is fueling this Ravens run to the top of the AFC. Today, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec on what Jackson and the Ravens did in the off-season to take the star quarterback's game to the next level and what, if anything, Jackson can do to finally silence his doubters.Read all of Jeff Zrebiec's Ravens coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/jeff-zrebiec/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden resigned after an explosive investigation by the New York Times revealed emails they described as misogynistic and homophobic. Four days later, Raiders owner Mark Davis, who famously courted Gruden for years and made him one of the wealthiest coaches in the game, still has not addressed the situation. Tashan Reed, who covers the Raiders for The Athletic, joins to discuss how the organization has handled the situation thus far, how the players are trying to move forward, and the questions that the Raiders and Davis are yet to answer. More from Tashan Reed:https://theathletic.com/author/tashan-reed/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2021 college football season has been full of twists and turns. Alabama lost to an unranked opponent for the first time in over a decade. Clemson is adrift. And Ohio State looks like it has a real fight on its hands to scrap out of a wildly competitive Big Ten East. Today, we talk with The Athletic's Stewart Mandel who tries to make sense of all the chaos and let's us know how this season could affect College Football Playoff expansion talks going forward.Read All of Stewart Mandel's College Football Coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/stewart-mandel/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Sunday in Phoenix, in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, the amazing postseason run continued for the Chicago Sky. As Game 2 approaches on Wednesday, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings to look at how Chicago turned things around after a brutal start to the season, and the no-panic mentality that was instilled by veteran superstar Candace Parker. Read Chantel Jennings’s full story about the Sky’s roller coaster season: https://theathletic.com/2880950/2021/10/10/how-did-the-sky-take-a-1-0-lead-on-the-mercury-in-the-wnba-finals-they-forged-an-identity-as-no-panic-fighters-during-regular-season-struggles/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.