Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Monday, October 28.

MLB

Some people say a series doesn’t begin until the visiting team wins a game… well, the much-hyped 2024 World Series may be closer to the end. Here’s how the Dodgers rolled to a crucial game three victory:

• The leading candidate for World Series MVP is Freddie Freeman. The hero of game one continued his hot streak at the plate, belting a two-run home run in the first inning off New York starter Clarke Schmidt. Freeman has homered in every game this series. Going back to his time with the Braves, Freeman has homered in five consecutive World Series games. Not too shabby.

• LA added two more runs with smart baserunning and timely hitting. And once again, the Dodgers starting pitching was effective. Walker Buehler looked like his old self, throwing five shutout innings and holding the Yankees to just two hits. When a team’s biggest weakness suddenly becomes a strength, there’s not much the opposition can do. Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run with two outs in the 9th inning, but that was all the New York offense could muster. LA holds a controlling 3-0 series lead after a 4-2 win.

• It’s worth noting two key moments from this one that halted a Yankee rally. There was a questionable strike three called on Gleyber Torres with two outs and two runners on base to end the seventh. And in the fourth, Giancarlo Stanton was thrown out at home on by a perfect throw by Teoscar Hernandez:

NFL

Monday Night Football between the Giants and Steelers was surprisingly entertaining. Pittsburgh won 26-18 in a game that came down to the final minutes:

• What a night for Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin! Austin caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to begin the fourth quarter, and had the play of the game– a 73-yard punt return for a TD. In a game with eight field goals, it was Austin who made the difference.

• Although he threw for decent yardage, Daniel Jones had a key fumble and a game-ending interception. If it weren’t for a long touchdown run by rookie Tyrone Tracy, the Giants offense would have been completely shut out of the endzone.

• Pittsburgh moves to 6-2 on the season and lead the AFC North. Meanwhile, New York falls to 2-6 and last in the NFC East.

NBA

What a fun night in the Association! Here are the top moments from the action on the hardwood:

• Paolo Banchero was on fire for the Orlando Magic last night. Banchero had 37 points, seven rebounds, and six assists… in the first half! He finished with the first 50-point performance in the NBA this season and the Magic beat the Pacers 119-115.

• They lost in baseball and football… and basketball. A rough night for New York, as the Knicks fell to the 4-0 Cleveland Cavaliers 110-104. Darius Garland led the way for the Cavs with 34 points.

• Giannis had 30 points and Damian Lillard scored 33, but the Bucks still couldn’t take down the defending champs. Jaylen Brown dropped 30 and Peyton Pritchard scored 28 off the bench (with eight threes!) as the Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee 119-108:

NHL

Last but not least, we go to the ice:

• After playing his entire 16-year career with the Lightning, Steven Stamkos returned to Tampa Bay for the first time since joining the Nashville Predators this off-season. While Stamkos recorded two assists, Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime.

• Let’s hear it for San Jose! The Sharks won their first game of the season in spectacular fashion. Trailing 4-1 in the third period, San Jose scored three goals in the final five minutes to send the game against Utah to overtime. Alexander Wennberg buried the game-winner in OT and the Sharks won 5-4.

• And concluding our overtime theme, the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in the extra period, thanks to this game-winner from Sebastian Aho… the 57th such goal in Aho’s career:

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Two Spanish footballers have won the highest prize in the sport, the Ballon d’Or. Manchester City midfielder Rodri was named the best male soccer player in the wold, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won best female player. While most of the world celebrated their great seasons, Real Madrid made headlines by refusing to attend the ceremony in Paris. Their star forward, Vinicius Jr., finished second to Rodri in the voting.

In other soccer news, Manchester United have fired head coach Erik ten Haag. United are currently 14th in the Premier League standings and have won just three games this season.

And in other head coach firing news, the Connecticut Sun have parted ways with their head coach Stephanie White. For those keeping track at home, that’s seven of the 13 WNBA teams that currently have a vacancy at the head coach position.

TODAY’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

NBA: Just four games on today’s calendar:

• Nuggets @ Nets, 7:30 PM

• Mavericks @ Timberwolves, 7:30 PM on TNT

• Kings @ Jazz, 9 PM

• Pelicans @ Warriors, 10 PM on TNT

NHL: Two exciting matchups on national TV tonight:

• Rangers @ Capitals, 7:30 PM on ESPN

• Kings @ Sharks, 10 PM on ESPN

MLB: Could this be the end of the 2024 season? New York sends starter Luis Gil to the mound in order to stave off elimination, while the Dodgers have a scheduled bullpen game:

• Dodgers @ Yankees, 8:08 PM on Fox

“Hey! You guys want a parade in Los Angeles?” –Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to the LA fans after advancing to the World Series