The initial 2013 Washington Nationals schedule has been released.
Days off: 3
Home games: 15
Away games: 11
Opening Day will be Monday, April 1 against the Miami Marlins. The Nats tend to get true Opening Day in odd-numbered years. They should get it annually.
The interleague schedule includes the AL Central and of course, the cowardly, subsidized Baltimore Orioles. The first interlague series in the second week of the season with the Chicago White Sox starting Tuesday, April 9.
Days off: 3
Home games: 10
Away games: 18
That trip to see the Nats play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park that I always talk about taking but never do is over the first weekend in May.
The Detroit Tigers arrive for two games May 7 & 8 (book your flight now, J.J.).
May 13 – May 22 is the California portion of the schedule – Los Angeles Dodgers-San Diego Padres-San Francisco Giants
The Nats face the Orioles four games in a row, 2 in each city, starting on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. They continue in Baltimore on May 29.
Days off: 3
Home games: 13
Away games: 14
The Minnesota Twins are here Friday, June 7 for a three-game series.
The series at the Colorado Rockies is June 11-13, followed by a trip to see Manny Acta and his Cleveland Indians!
Days off: 5
Home games: 17
Road games: 9
July 4 will be at home (as always) against the Milwaukee Brewers, who start a four game series in D.C. on July 1.
The Nats end the first half with trips to face the Philadelphia Phillies and Marlins. Then, they don’t have a road game between July 14 and July 29 when they go to Detroit to play the Tigers again. Might have to visit J.J. for that one. The Nats open the second half with a 10-game homestand against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets.
Days off: 4
Home games: 14
Road games: 13
An all NL month, except for a road trip to play the Kansas City Royals on August 23.
SEPTEMBER
Days off: 3
Home games: 11
Road games: 16
Labor Day is a night game in Philly. Night game on a holiday? The final home game is September 22 against the Marlins.