MLB-WORLD SERIES

Braves take 2-1 Series lead into Game 4

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves head into Game 4 of the World Series with a two-games-to-one lead over the Houston Astros.

The Braves improved to 6-0 at home this postseason with a 2-0 win on Friday night. Ian Anderson worked five hitless innings but was pulled after 76 pitches. He struck out four, walked three and allowed just one base runner after the first inning. Atlanta’s bullpen kept the no-hitter intact until pinch-hitter Aledmys (ah-LEHD’-mees) Díaz blooped a single leading off the eighth against reliever Tyler Matzek (MAT’-sehk). Houston’s other hit came on Alex Bregman’s single leading off the ninth.

Zack Greinke (GREHN’-kee) is set to start for Houston Saturday night. The Braves will go with the first of consecutive bullpen games in response to losing Game 1 starter Charlie Morton, who fractured his right fibula in the World Series opener. Braves manager Brian Snitker expects Morton will be fine for spring training.

T25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL-SCHEDULE

Wolverines-Spartans highlights Week 9 schedule

UNDATED (AP) — The college football spotlight is on the Big Ten this week with three games sure to affect the division races and possibly the College Football Playoff.

No. 8 Michigan State is hosting No. 6 Michigan in a matchup of unbeatens that will start separating the East Division. The Wolverines and Spartans are both 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten. They meet Saturday in their first top-10 showdown since 1964. The winner will come out of it at least tied for first in the East Division.

No. 9 Iowa is visiting Wisconsin in what figures to be a defensive battle in the West. And No. 20 Penn State goes to No. 5 Ohio State as a big underdog in a meeting of teams heading opposite directions in recent weeks.

With much of the Southeastern Conference enjoying an open date, there are still a couple of marquee matchups.

No. 10 Mississippi visits No. 18 Auburn. It’s a matchup of the two remaining challengers to third-ranked Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Western Division. The Rebels are led by Heisman Trophy contender Matt Corral at quarterback and pass rusher Sam Williams. The Tigers are fresh from an open week. They’re led by quarterback Bo Nix and linebacker Owen Pappoe, if he’s able to return from an injury.

No. 1 Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville. It’s the first time this East Division rivalry hasn’t matched up Top 10 games since 2017.

NFL-BEARS-NAGY

Bears coach to miss 49ers game because of COVID-19 protocol

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy will miss Sunday’s game against San Francisco because of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as head coach against the 49ers.

Nagy said Monday he had tested positive for COVID-19. The 43-year-old coach, who is vaccinated, announced the result during a Zoom call minutes after his usual in-person session was switched.

Chicago had four players on the COVID-19 list for last weekend’s 38-3 loss at Tampa Bay, with linebacker Caleb Johnson and right tackle Elijah Wilkinson joining star linebacker Robert Quinn and veteran tight end Jimmy Graham before kickoff. Running back Damien Williams was removed from the list a day before the game.

The Bears will have Quinn, Johnson and Wilkinson back for the matchup with the visiting 49ers, but offensive lineman Germain Ifedi was placed on the COVID-19 list on Friday.

NHL-PENGUINS-CROSBY

Crosby to make season debut against Devils

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby is back.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star will make his season debut Saturday night when the Penguins host New Jersey.

Crosby underwent left wrist surgery on Sept. 8 and estimated he would miss “at least” six weeks. Saturday night’s game is a little over seven weeks since the procedure.

The Penguins will also get back center Jeff Carter, who has been out for over a week after testing positive for COVID-19. Carter said he was asymptomatic during his quarantine, and he returned to practice on Friday.

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