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.
Milwaukee Brewers
Reds
CubsCubsCubsReds
Baltimore Orioles
Blue JaysBlue Jays
GuardiansGuardiansGuardiansWhere each side sits in its own division, with both clubs marked. These two are in different ones, so the tables are separate and the records are not directly comparable.
Tampa Bay Rays88-59.599W1
New York Yankees85-63.574L1
Boston Red Sox81-68.544W1Toronto Blue Jays74-75.497W1Baltimore Orioles72-77.483L1Milwaukee Brewers92-56.622W4Chicago Cubs83-66.557W2
Pittsburgh Pirates74-75.497L2
St. Louis Cardinals73-75.493W1Cincinnati Reds69-78.469L4
