Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Nats will host Yankees in exhibition

USA Today Sports Images
Derek Jeter and the Yankees will face Ian Desmond and the Nats on March 29.
By Chase Hughes
CSNwashington.com

On a day the Nationals essentially finalized their lineup for the 2013 season by re-signing Adam LaRoche, the team announced the first time fans will be able to see them in action in Washington, D.C. this season.

The Nats will host the New York Yankees at Nationals Park March 29 at 2:05 p.m. in their final exhibition game before opening the regular season three days later against the Miami Marlins.

The Nationals were swept New York in Washington last June by a combined score of 16-6 in a three-game interleague series. The Yankees rarely travel to D.C. for games, and with them come massive crowds. All three games between the teams in 2012 drew at least 41,000 patrons.

The Nationals ended their exhibition schedule last year against the Boston Red Sox on April 3 with an 8-7 loss at Nationals Park. The one game against the Yankees will mark the only time the Nationals face either AL East powerhouse this year.

Portions of the game's proceeds will benefit the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, the team announced in a press release. The organization is "committed to improving the lives of children throughout the Washington Capital Region."

Pitchers and catchers are tentatively set to report for the Nationals on Feb. 12 in Viera, Fla. Their Grapefruit League opener will be Feb. 23 against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, with their Viera finale March 28 (also against the Mets).

14 comments:

peric said...

Looks like no one has made it here yet.

Don said...

And that Nats lineup is likely going to be . . .

Spann
Lombo
Zim
LaRoche
Harper/Werth (swap for LHP)
Werth/Harper
Desi
Suzuki or Ramos

If Lombo does not beat-out Espi, and I think it is a coin flip at this point (I used Lombo because I think he's a better fit into the lineup as a 2 hitter, I'd rather have Werth swinging away down lower than taking pitches or droping bunts for Spann at the top), then . . .

Spann
Werth
Zim
LaRoche
Harper/Desi
Desi/Harper
Espi
Suzuki or Ramos

I stll hope they add a Closer caliber RP. But, they are looking pretty good right now.

Best 25 go North!

peric said...

Lombo could end up getting traded. The way Rivero has been playing in winter ball don't be surprised. He would make a better utility guy since he is able to play more positions in the infield. His power is starting to come around and he's still young at age 24. But he no longer has options so ...

peric said...

This doesn't exactly sound promising. Looks like Wilson is still borderline ready for ST ...

@WRamosC3: Thanks for asking about my rehab. I´m fine. Hopefully I´ll be ready for Spring Training.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Semantically, it sounds like Ramos is not ready for ST, borderline or otherwise. Not a shock.

MicheleS said...

Glad this is part of my ticket plan!

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

MicheleS said...

Glad this is part of my ticket plan!


You may not be when they call you up and tell you they'll be charging you extra for it, like they did last year with me when they added the Red Sox exhibition even though I'd already paid in full for my ST plan.

MicheleS said...

Feel, I am sure they will be ambigous, but here is a quote from the Nats Press Release:

Tickets to see the Nationals take on the Yankees are included in all full, half or before single game tickets go on sale to the general public. Season ticket plans may be partial season ticket plans. In addition, tickets will be included in select mini and flex plans to be released in the coming weeks purchased at nationals.com/2013 or by calling 202.675.NATS(6287).

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Feel, I am sure they will be ambigous, but here is a quote from the Nats Press Release:

This is exactly what happened to me last year. I had already paid in full for my plan. Then they announced the Red Sox game would be included in the plans. Then I got a phone call saying "What credit card do you want to pay for the exhibition game with?"

MicheleS said...

Feel, I expect that to happen. Not being blind about that.

John C. said...

The exhibition game is part of the 21 game plans at least - because they are dropping Opening Day from all of the plans. So it will be 20 regular season games + the exhibition game (therefore at regular season price instead of 1/2 price like last year). And partial plan holders will have an "opportunity to buy" Opening Day tickets if they pony up extra $$$.

UnkyD said...

Don said...
And that Nats lineup is likely going to be . . .
.........................
Hardly "likely" that Lombo beats out Danny... Damned unlikely, more like.....

sjm308 said...

It probably isn't all that important but I like the fact that our team will be up here for 4 days before the first game. I really did not like them flying up, playing that one exhibition game and then going right into Opening Day either the next day or one day later. This way, they will get to workout at the park, get settled and start on their journey to the World Series.

Line-up for the Yankee Game will be as follows

Span CF
Werth RF
Zimm 3b
Harper LF
MORSE DH (it's an exhibition game right??)
LaRoche 1b
Desmond SS
Suzuki C
Espinosa 2b

Go Nats!!

Unknown said...

Mark, all due respect, but the Red Sox are not an AL East powerhouse now. They were and someday probably will be again, but right now they are cellar dwellers.

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