The written preview lands about a day and a half before the game, once the lineups, the injuries and the market have settled. Until then the boards below carry the matchup: recent form, how the two sides compare, and where each of them sits.
The full preview, matchup keys, probable starters and the storylines to watch, posts closer to game time, once lineups are set.
Each side's most recent results, newest first, with the score and who they played. These reach back into last season where a club has not played five yet, which is why every row carries its date.
Houston Astros
RaysRaysRays
PhilliesPhillies
Seattle Mariners
AthleticsAthleticsAthletics
RangersRangersWhere both sides sit in the division they share, with each marked.
Houston Astros75-75.500L3Texas Rangers74-76.493W2Seattle Mariners70-80.467L1Oakland Athletics61-89.407W1
Los Angeles Angels56-93.376L3
