<p>The <a href="https://theathletic.com/team/braves/" target="_self">Atlanta Braves</a> cruised to a 6-2 Game 1 win on Tuesday night, though they lost starter <a href="https://theathletic.com/player/mlb/braves/charlie-morton/" target="_self">Charlie Morton</a> in the process. Morton had his leg broken by a comebacker - though he remained in the game for some time after sustaining the injury - and the Braves bullpen picked up the slack after his departure, while an <a href="https://theathletic.com/player/mlb/braves/adam-duvall/" target="_self">Adam Duvall</a> home run padded the lead. Game 2 is Wednesday night at 8:09 p.m. ET/7:09 p.m. CT on Fox. </p><p></p><p></p><h2><strong>Background reading</strong></h2><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2872626/2021/10/07/braves-starter-charlie-morton-dominant-postseason-performer-has-a-relatable-motivator-fear/" target="_self">Braves starter Charlie Morton, dominant postseason performer, has a relatable motivator: Fear </a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2909842/2021/10/25/astros-lefty-framber-valdezs-remarkable-rise-from-10000-signee-to-world-series-game-1-starter/" target="_self">Astros lefty Framber Valdez’s remarkable rise from $10,000 signee to World Series Game 1 starter</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2908656/2021/10/23/yordan-alvarez-was-the-alcs-mvp-but-these-5-relievers-were-also-key-to-the-astros-series-win/" target="_self">Yordan Alvarez was the ALCS MVP, but these 5 relievers were also key to the Astros’ series win</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2908295/2021/10/23/rosenthal-dusty-baker-overcomes-nemesis-authors-another-chapter-to-historic-career-in-guiding-astros-to-world-series/" target="_self">Dusty Baker overcomes ‘nemesis,’ authors another chapter to historic career in guiding Astros to World Series</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2913118/2021/10/25/schultz-braves-dont-need-another-sage-burning-in-houston-they-can-win-this/" target="_self">Braves don’t need another sage-burning in Houston — they can win this</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2913289/2021/10/25/on-the-braves-intangibles-and-surging-lefties-tyler-matzek-and-a-j-minter/" target="_self">On the Braves’ intangibles and surging lefties Tyler Matzek and A.J. Minter</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2912284/2021/10/26/braves-gm-alex-anthopoulos-journey-to-the-world-series-started-21-years-ago-with-a-cold-call-and-a-book/" target="_self">Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos’ journey to the World Series started 21 years ago with a cold call and a book</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2905360/2021/10/21/braves-eddie-rosario-overshadowed-by-fellow-puerto-rican-stars-finally-gets-his-due/" target="_self">Braves’ Eddie Rosario, overshadowed by fellow Puerto Rican stars, finally gets his due</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2909386/2021/10/24/theres-never-been-a-world-series-team-quite-like-these-braves-jayson-starks-weird-and-wild/" target="_self">There’s never been a World Series team quite like these Braves — Jayson Stark’s Weird and Wild</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2910395/2021/10/25/2021-world-series-picks-expert-selections-betting-odds-for-game-1-between-astros-and-braves/" target="_self">2021 World Series picks: Expert selections, betting odds for Game 1 between Astros and Braves</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2911665/2021/10/25/2021-mlb-playoff-picks-expert-world-series-predictions-from-the-athletics-baseball-staff/" target="_self">2021 MLB playoff picks: Expert World Series predictions from <em>The Athletic</em>’s baseball staff</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2912486/2021/10/26/insiders-picks-for-the-world-series-coaches-players-and-scouts-offer-their-predictions/" target="_self">Insiders’ picks for the World Series: Coaches, players and scouts offer their predictions</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2911966/2021/10/26/sarris-five-numbers-that-could-matter-in-the-world-series/" target="_self">Five numbers that could matter in the World Series</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2911916/2021/10/26/2021-world-series-ranking-the-top-25-players-in-the-astros-braves-matchup/" target="_self">2021 World Series: Ranking the top 25 players in the Astros-Braves matchup</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/2911969/2021/10/26/gammons-look-beyond-the-past-drama-and-scandal-because-astros-braves-is-a-great-baseball-matchup/" target="_self">Beyond the past drama and scandal, Astros-Braves is a great baseball matchup</a></li><li><a href="https://theathletic.com/podcast/31-755-is-real/?episode=201" target="_self">755 is real: Braves podcast on Rosario making history, the Matzek miracle, and a WS preview</a></li></ul><p></p><p><em>(Photo of Braves outfielders celebrating: Jerome Miron / USA TODAY) </em></p><p></p>