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.
Tampa Bay Rays
Athletics
Athletics
Athletics
Astros
Astros
Philadelphia Phillies
Nationals
Nationals
Braves
Braves
BravesWhere 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 Rays92-59.609W5
New York Yankees88-64.579L1
Boston Red Sox82-70.539L2
Toronto Blue Jays76-77.497W1
Baltimore Orioles75-78.490W3
Atlanta Braves89-64.582L1
Philadelphia Phillies84-68.553W1
Miami Marlins76-77.497W2
Washington Nationals71-82.464L1
New York Mets69-83.454L4
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