Photo by Sol Tucker/TalkNats
The Washington Nationals are home, and will celebrate their Opening Day in Nationals Park — not in a traditional first game of the season — just the home opener! The team welcomes in the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ballpark gates open at 11:00 a.m. for the 1:05 pm scheduled first pitch from Miles Mikolas, and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:15 p.m. to enjoy the pregame ceremonies. The weekend fun will continue on Saturday, April 4, as the Nationals and Budweiser are throwing a 21st Birthday Celebration with special activities and giveaways for fans to enjoy. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Nationals.com/OpeningWeek.
Ahead of Friday’s home opener, the Nationals will celebrate baseball’s place in our country’s 250-year history with a special ceremonial first pitch featuring a number of individuals who have helped grow the game. Additionally, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band will perform the national anthem, America the Beautiful and God Bless America; a representative from Boeing will deliver the game’s lineup card to umpires at home plate; and Mayor Muriel Bowser will give the call to ‘Play Ball!’ Speaking of Mayor Bowser, we did an exclusive interview with her that you will want to hear/watch:
The Opening Day pregame ceremonies will also feature 250 military members creating a tunnel in center field for starting lineup and manager introductions; our nation’s colors presented by Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; a giant American flag unfurling in the outfield; and a flyover from four F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 121st Fighter Squadron, D.C. Air National Guard.
Before the start of the game, the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales will take a tour around the neighborhood of the ballpark at 10:00 a.m. before completing their walk at Nationals Park. Fans will have the chance for photos in front of the Center Field Gates from approximately 10:30 to 10:45 a.m.
The Opening Weekend party will continue on Saturday, April 4, as the Nationals and Budweiser are throwing a 21st Birthday Celebration. The festivities – marking 21 years since the Nationals’ inaugural game on April 4, 2005, will include birthday party hats for fans entering through Center Field Gate and at the Budweiser Terrace, a photo opportunity with the Budweiser Clydesdale in Center Field Plaza, live music at the Budweiser Terrace, free cupcakes at select tabling locations around the ballpark, free Budweiser swag during Happy Hour with the purchase of an Anheuser-Busch product and more.
Here is a chart of usage on manager Blake Butera’s bullpen:
The FanGraphs WAR chart is accumulating data. This will start giving us a clearer picture in six weeks. The OAA defense stat requires a minimum of ten defensive plays. We will start adding more statistics as the sample sizes get larger.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 1:05 PM EDT
TV: Nationals.TV
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app. On Sirius/XM, tune to Channel 175 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
