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
AstrosAstrosAstros
BravesBraves
New York Yankees
MetsMetsMets
RockiesRockiesWhere both sides sit in the division they share, with each marked.
Tampa Bay Rays90-59.604W3New York Yankees86-63.577W1
Boston Red Sox82-68.547W2
Toronto Blue Jays75-75.500W2
Baltimore Orioles72-78.480L2
