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
RedsRedsReds
CubsCubs
Philadelphia Phillies
BravesBravesBraves
AstrosAstrosWhere 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.
Milwaukee Brewers93-57.620L1Chicago Cubs84-67.556W1
Pittsburgh Pirates75-75.500W1
St. Louis Cardinals75-76.497W2Cincinnati Reds70-80.467L1Atlanta Braves88-63.583L2Philadelphia Phillies83-67.553W1
Miami Marlins74-77.490L1
Washington Nationals70-81.464W3
New York Mets69-81.460L2
