Tickets still available for opener against Phillies
The Nationals can only hope that there is no place like home.
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Off to an 0-6 start after series sweeps by both Florida and Atlanta, the Nats finally return to the District on Monday afternoon for their home opener against the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies at 3:05 p.m.
Washington is now the only one of 30 teams in Major League Baseball yet to win a game. That is not good news coming on the heels of a 59-102 season and a tumultuous spring training that saw the resignation of general manager Jim Bowden.
The Nats will be home for nine games. They have Tuesday off before completing the series against Philadelphia, but then have to face the Marlins and Braves again. Daniel Cabrera — who allowed five runs in six innings against Florida in his season-debut last week — will start for Washington. Through six games, the Nats’ starting rotation has a record of 0-4 and a combined ERA of 11.14, which ranks 29th overall. Only the Cleveland Indians’ starters have been worse.
Jamie Moyer, meanwhile, is on the mound for the Phillies. The 46-year-old baffled the Nats multiple times last season. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings in a game on April 3, 2008, allowing three runs, and did not factor into the decision. But in his four subsequent starts vs. Washington, Moyer was 3-1 and gave up just five runs in 24 2/3 innings. The Phillies lost his first start of this season to Atlanta, 4-0.
The centerfield gates at Nationals Park will open at 12:30 p.m. and the team is encouraging fans to arrive early. Live music will be played by bands in the centerfield plaza and fans can watch batting practice beginning at 12:45 p.m. The game, however, is not yet a sellout and tickets are still available.
