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The Atlanta Braves beat the Houston Astros in Game 1 but that victory came with a cost. The Braves will be short a starting pitcher the remainder of this World Series.
Atlanta, which opened the 2021 season at 12-1 to win the World Series, confirmed Wednesday morning they have lost Charlie Morton due to a fractured right fibula. Atlanta currently pays $13 for every $2 bet to win the 2021 World Series.
It happened on a sharp curveball to Jose Altuve, located perfectly at the bottom of the strike zone for a caught-looking strikeout. Morton noticeably grimaced as he finished his delivery.
Boosted by a strong bullpen effort, Adam Duvall’s two-run homer and a late sacrifice fly from Freddie Freeman, the Braves coasted in their first Series appearance since Chipper Jones and their Big Three aces ascended in 1999.
“So much happened really quick,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.
But the Braves, three wins away from their first championship in a quarter-century, must now move on without Morton.
"I hate it for him," said Snitker, who wouldn't reveal plans to replace Morton on the roster. "He's such a great person -- great person and teammate. I really hate it for him because I know he's really looking forward to this run with us. So we'll move on."
Reliever A.J. Minter replaced Morton and threw 43 pitches, more than he ever had in his career, and came within an out of completing three innings for only the second time. He was the first of three relievers -- before Luke Jackson and Tyler Matzek -- who limited the Astros lineup to just two runs in 5⅔ innings. Up four runs, Braves closer Will Smith sealed the deal in the ninth.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
