Two leagues are about to crown a first time champion. The Brewers and Rays open the World Series on Friday, and neither franchise has a title. The same goes for the WNBA Finals between the Valkyries and the Dream.

In the NFL, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III returns to Seattle for the first time since leaving, and the Ravens host the Bengals in a big AFC North game. Elsewhere, Texas tries to save its season against Ole Miss, and the NFL plays its first game in Paris.

The stakes: Although this isn’t your typical World Series matchup between two marquee franchises, there are still plenty of interesting storylines and history to tune in for. For the first time since 1980, the World Series features two teams that have never won it. Milwaukee had the best record in baseball for the second straight year and has lost only once this postseason, including a sweep of the two-time defending champion Dodgers.

On the other side, Tampa Bay had the best record in the American League after plenty of people picked them to finish last in their division. Both teams have been here before and lost, so one of them is about to finally get over the hump.

What to watch for: Home runs with runners on base. Both teams win with pitching and defense, so runs will be hard to come by, and whoever hits the big multi-run homer will likely pull out a victory. Keep an eye on Junior Caminero, the Rays’ young star, who broke out of a postseason slump with a homer in Monday’s series clinching game.

Another interesting storyline to watch in this series is the Rays’ two best pitchers, Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta, both started their careers in Milwaukee so we have a full circle moment on the biggest stage featuring two game changing players.

Skin in the Game: I’m taking the Brewers to win the series (-165). Although we’re not getting great odds here, Milwaukee has home-field advantage and a bullpen that has barely given up a run all postseason. If the Brewers have a lead late, I don’t see Tampa Bay coming back. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

The stakes: The undefeated Chiefs visit the defending champions, and one of the most important players in this game used to play for Seattle. Kenneth Walker III was the Super Bowl MVP in February, then left for Kansas City in free agency. He has had a breakout season and is the current Offensive Player of the Year favorite.

Seattle is 3-3 and sure could use him. The Seahawks' running game ranks near the bottom of the league, and quarterback Sam Darnold has been struggling without it.

What to watch for: Ken Walker against his old team. Seattle's defense is one of the best in the league and hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 35 straight games. If Walker continues his dominance and gets there, Kansas City likely takes this one.

Skin in the Game: I'm taking the Chiefs +2.5. Kansas City is 5-0 and getting points, and Patrick Mahomes has lost only three of the 12 games in his career where he was a road underdog. In a close game, I'll take Mahomes over a struggling and turnover prone Darnold. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

The stakes: The AFC North is wide open. Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cleveland are all 4-2, and Cincinnati is right behind at 3-2 coming off its bye. With four teams this close, every division game could decide who makes the playoffs. The Ravens lost 13-10 in Cleveland last week without Lamar Jackson, who has missed two games with an ankle injury and is hoping to return Sunday.

What to watch for: Lamar Jackson’s ankle. He’s missed two games and is still working his way back, so if he plays, the question is how well he can move. That matters against a Bengals defense that looks much better than last year’s, putting pressure on the quarterback on about 40% of dropbacks, one of the highest rates in the league.

Joe Burrow, meanwhile, comes off the bye rested after throwing four touchdowns in his last game. If both quarterbacks play, this is a matchup of two of the best in the league.

Skin in the Game: I'm taking the Bengals -1.5. Cincinnati is rested, Burrow is playing well, and the Bengals won 32-14 the last time they played in Baltimore. Even if Jackson plays, he hasn't practiced in weeks, so expect him to be a bit rusty facing a much improved Bengals defense. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

Patriots vs. Bears | Tonight 8:15 PM (Prime Video): Caleb Williams and Drake Maye went No. 1 and No. 3 in the 2024 draft, and both teams are 4-2. Both quarterbacks are coming off big games. This sets up to be a back and forth thriller.

Ole Miss vs. Texas | Sat 7:30 PM (ABC): Two weeks ago, Texas was No. 1. Then it lost to unranked Oklahoma and unranked Florida and fell to No. 19. Arch Manning came into the season as a Heisman candidate, and Steve Sarkisian hasn't ruled out benching him. A third loss, against No. 7 Ole Miss, would all but end Texas's playoff hopes.

WNBA Finals | Sat 1:00 PM (NBC): Golden State won Game 1, then Angel Reese had 30 points and 16 rebounds to win Game 2 for Atlanta and they then blew out Golden State in Game 3. Game 4 is in Atlanta and essentially a must win for the Valkyries to even up the series.

Steelers vs. Saints | Sun 9:30 AM (NFL Network): The NFL's first regular-season game in France, at the Stade de France in Paris. Aaron Rodgers and the 4-2 Steelers face the 2-4 Saints.

Must-watch:

Worth tuning in:

— Zach Blumenstein

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