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.
Miami Marlins
DiamondbacksDiamondbacks
DodgersDodgersDodgers
Chicago Cubs
BravesBraves
PiratesPiratesPiratesWhere 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 Brewers94-57.623W1Chicago Cubs84-68.553L1Pittsburgh Pirates75-76.497L1
St. Louis Cardinals75-77.493L1
Cincinnati Reds70-81.464L2Atlanta Braves89-63.586W1
Philadelphia Phillies83-68.550L1Miami Marlins75-77.493W1
Washington Nationals71-81.467W4
New York Mets69-82.457L3
