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.
San Francisco Giants
Padres
Cardinals
Cardinals
Cardinals
Mets
Los Angeles Dodgers
Marlins
Reds
Reds
Reds
NationalsWhere both sides sit in the division they share, with each marked.
Los Angeles Dodgers90-57.612W8
San Diego Padres79-68.537W5
Arizona Diamondbacks79-69.534W1
San Francisco Giants62-86.419L1
Colorado Rockies55-93.372L6