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.
St. Louis Cardinals
Giants
Giants
Giants
White Sox
White Sox
Milwaukee Brewers
Pirates
Pirates
Pirates
Reds
RedsWhere both sides sit in the division they share, with each marked.
Milwaukee Brewers95-57.625W2
Chicago Cubs85-68.556W1
Pittsburgh Pirates75-77.493L2
St. Louis Cardinals75-78.490L2
Cincinnati Reds71-81.467W1
Brewers@
Pirates· MLBBot 2nd
Dodgers@
Reds· MLBBot 2nd
Athletics@
Rays· MLBMid 1st
Padres@
Rockies· MLB3:10 PM
Phillies@
Mets· MLB7:15 PM
Royals@
Astros· MLB7:15 PM
Orange@
Panthers· FBS7:30 PM
Sun@
Dream· WNBA7:30 PM
Tigers@
White Sox· MLB7:40 PM
Sparks@
Wings· WNBA8:00 PM
Mystics@
Sky· WNBA8:00 PM
Red Sox@
Rangers· MLB8:05 PM
Lions@
Bills· NFL8:15 PM
Twins@
Angels· MLB9:38 PM
Mercury@
Fire· WNBA10:00 PM
Aces@
Storm· WNBA10:00 PM