Sports

2013 MLB Opening Day: Washington Nationals, Ticket Information, Transportation, and More

The Washington Nationals enter the 2013 Major League Baseball season as favorites to win the World Series thanks to Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and some important new additions.

Major League Baseball opens its season Sunday, March 31 and the Washington Nationals are an Opening Day favorite to win the World Series this season.

The Nats, winners of the National League East division in 2012, begin a 2013 season heavy with expectations on Monday, April 1 when they play host to the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m.

• Opening Day ticket information for the Washington Nationals 

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With the deepest pitching staff in baseball anchored by standouts Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann, and a strong lineup that should be buoyed by 20-year-old prodigy Bryce Harper—the 2012 National League Rookie of the Year—entering his first full big league season, baseball experts are high on the Nats.

World Series Bound?

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Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine both picked the squad, managed by reigning NL Manager of the Year Davey Johnson, to win the World Series in their 2013 Major League Baseball season preview editions.

“The Nationals won more games than any other team in baseball last year, got better over the winter via the additions of centerfielder Denard Span and closer Rafael Soriano, and will get six months of Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg instead of five, not to mention full seasons from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos,” writes Jay Jaffee of SI.com.

The Nats finished 98-64 in 2012 and tied for the NL-lead with 50 wins at home in reaching the postseason for the first time. The Nationals received a bye into the NL Division Series but fell to the St. Louis Cardinals in a 3-2 series in October 2012.

Check out the full 2013 Nationals schedule.

Racing Presidents

If a good baseball team isn’t enough of a draw, the Nats are adding a fifth Racing President mascot this season.

The club announced in January that William Howard Taft would be joining George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln (not Daniel Day-Lewis) and Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt in the Presidents Race that occurs during the fourth inning of every home game.

Teddy ended a long losing streak at the final home game of 2012. Taft, who was historically a friendand then rival of Roosevelt, could become the joke of subsequent races. At least he has some gnarly facial hair.

Tickets to Opening Day and More

Tickets are available for Monday’s opener at Nationals Park on the club’s website. Prices range from $200 Diamond seats to $20 for standing room tickets.

Strasburg is expected to start on the mound for the Nationals and will be facing the Marlins' Ricky Nolasco.

The centerfield gates at Nationals Park open at 10:35 a.m. on Opening Day, allowing fans access to the centerfield stands and concourse area. All other gates at the stadium will open at 11:35 a.m. 

The Washington Nationals are also offering 2013 season tickets, single-game tickets for other home games, multiple-game plans, group ticket deals and other ticket specials on the club’s website.

Check out concourse and seating maps of Nationals Park.

Opening Day Weather

Attendees of Monday’s opener appeared poised for some pleasant weather. Temperatures should be in the mid 60s for first pitch, according to the National Weather Service. The sky is expected to be partly clouded with a bit of sun, so be sure to bring some sun block with you to the park.

Last year, the Nats started the season on the road and did not play their first home game until April 12. Temperatures were a little cooler that day, but didn’t deter the Nationals in earning a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.  

The Nationals are 4-4 in home openers since moving to Washington from Montreal in 2005. The club is 3-2 in home openers since moving to Nationals Park in 2008.

Getting to Nationals Park 

Nationals Park, located at 1500 South Capitol St. SE, in the District, is accessible via Metro, car, bus, bike and even water taxi. 

Paid parking is available at a variety of lots operated by the club within easy walking distance of the ballpark. Fans are advised to purchase parking in advance on the Nats website or consider other options.

If you do plan on driving to the game, be advised of the following road closures: 

  • Half Street, SE, between M Street, SE, and N Street SE 
  • N Street, SE, between South Capitol Street, SE, and First Street SE

Navy Yard Metro Station on the Green Line is just a half-block away from the stadium, but can get crowded before and especially after games.

As an alternative, Waterfront Metro Station on the Green Line is just a half-mile west of the stadium, while Federal Center SW Metro Station serving the Orange and Blue lines, is about a mile northwest of the park. Capitol South Metro Station, also serving the Orange and Blue lines, is one mile northeast of the park. 

Metrobus offers six routes to Nationals Park. It is also accessible by taking the Navy Yard Route of the DC Circulator Bus.

 Nationals Park is bicycle friendly, with more than 250 racks around the stadium and free bicycle valet service available at the corner of N and 1st streets SE. Two Capital Bikeshare stations are located within two blocks of the park.

Potomac Riverboat Company runs a Baseball Boat during Nationals home games between Old Town Alexandria and Diamond Teague Park, located behind Nationals Park. The boat costs $24 for round-trip tickets and $15 for one-way. PRC also runs a service between National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Md., and Alexandria where fans can connect to the ballpark. Cost from National Harbor is $30 round-trip and $20 one-way.

American River Taxi will provide water taxi Service between Georgetown, the Southwest Waterfront and Diamond Teague Park. A weekly scheduled and taxi route map are available on the American River Taxi website.

The Nationals offer an interactive trip planner for getting to and from the park on the club's website.

Enjoying the Game

For a full list of stadium policies, amenities and how things work at Nationals Park, check out the club’s A-to-Z Guide.


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