Comparing the Beltway Teams as They Warm Up in Florida

It’s almost spring and you know what that means: no, not spring cleaning…baseball season! Currently, the teams are playing where the weather is warmer: Florida. The Washington Nationals are currently in 6^th place in the National League playing .500 ball, while the Baltimore Orioles have had a little more success and are currently in 2^nd place in the American League at 8-2.  However, spring training records are not always something to brag, or panic, about.  While the spring training games do showcase teams’ talent, or lack thereof (e.g., the Yankees who are currently in last place in the American League standings), they are more for the players to get in the groove of playing games and for the players to get out there and show their stuff. 

Photo Source: Getty Images

The Nationals will play an exhibition game at Nationals Park on March 29^th (my birthday, by the way, if anyone would like to buy me a ticket J ). 
MLB Opening Night is March 31 when the Texas Rangers head to Houston to take on the Astros.  The Nationals first regular season game is April 1^st, at home, against the Miami Marlins.  The Orioles start their season on the road against the Tampa the (don’t call us devil) Rays.

While the Nationals haven’t been playing their best, there is some good news.  Manager Davey Johnson has compared Stephen Strasburg to “Doc
Gooden.” For the Richard Justice’s entire article with quotes from Strasburg, his teammates, Johnson, and General Manager and Executive Vice President of baseball operations, Mike Rizzo, click here.

The link also includes highlights of Strasburg throwing some K’s against the Phillies.  For more Nationals news, check out their homepage here.

Photo Source: Getty Images

As for the Orioles, they had the chance to play Team Spain in Sarasota, Florida, and dominated the game, winning 19-7.  The good news continues for the Baltimore team, and for all the information on the team, head on over to the Orioles MLB homepage here.

So, fans, start your Spring Training, too.  Mark your calendars, buy some ball caps and jerseys, and get ready to eat hot dogs and drink some beer!