Let the Games Begin
With 1933 in full force everywhere else, let’s turn our eyes to Spring Training 2025, even if it’s in the cesspool known as Florida. (My apologies to cesspools).
MASN finally announced its Spring Training schedule yesterday, and if you grew up rooting for the Mets or Cardinals before you moved to the DMV… well, you’ll love this schedule. I’ve also added the obligatory MLB Network appearance:
| DATE | TIME | OPPONENT |
| Sunday, February 23 | 1 p.m. | vs. N.Y. Mets |
| Thursday, February 27 | 6 p.m. | vs. Atlanta Braves (MLB Network; ATL feed) |
| Tuesday, March 4 | 1 p.m. | vs. St. Louis Cardinals |
| Thursday, March 6 | 1 p.m. | @ St. Louis Cardinals |
| Saturday, March 8 | 12 p.m. | vs. St. Louis Cardinals |
| Sunday, March 9 | 1 p.m. | vs. St. Louis Cardinals |
| Sunday, March 16 | 5 p.m. | vs. Mets Prospects (Spring Breakout) |
| Tuesday, March 18 | 6 p.m. | @ Houston Astros |
| Wednesday, March 19 | 1 p.m. | vs. St. Louis Cardinals |
Local radio will have broadcasts (1 p.m. unless otherwise noted) tomorrow and Sunday (980AM), Sunday, March 2 (106.7FM), Friday, March 7 (980AM, 6pm), Monday March 10 (106.7 FM), Sunday, March 16 (106.7FM – Big Nats), Tuesday, March 18 (980AM, 6pm). If you don’t mind road feeds, there are several more on the MLB Audio app.
As a reminder, I’ll have coverage of spring training as time allows for the next 2-3 weeks. I’ll most likely pull the plug around March 17 or when most of the regulars start playing past the 6th inning. The taxi squa…er, Red Wings start up on the 28th with the rest of the affiliates beginning on Friday, April 4.
Looking forward to your coverage.
Thanks Luke but Florida is a wonderful place, except for the Floridians (Nats fans excluded).
No lie, but it’s kinda hard to avoid Floridians if you can’t afford a private jet and/or stay at gated resort.
Ty Luke
For those out east drinking coffee
Yours truly in PHX walking past a bar / eatery named Desmond’s .
Definitely not in the portfolio of Ian Desmond ( who once played for Snakes ?)
Hot fudge sundae bets for talent to come out of the woodwork . Definitely in the bullpen category
Acosta , Konner P. Orlando , Zach B for sure .
Should be fun . Hickey should be a big help evolving the bullpen with the behind the scenes work of Hanrahan on back fields .
Five of the eight ST broadcasts are against the Cardinals? That is weird. But then again on my 21 game season plan, of the NL East foes, I have three games against the Phillies, two against the Mets, and none at all against the Marlins or Barves.
In looking at the season, I note that the Nats are once again traveling to Colorado when the weather is likely cold (April 18-20). Wear layers, guys.
Last season it was June 21-23, as warm as it’s been for that trip in the last several years. But the year before it was April 6-9. In 2022 it was May 3-5. In 2021 it was their last road trip (September 27-29) before three games at home to end the season. No games at all against the Rockies in the COVID 2020 season. In 2019 April 22-24. In 2018 they finished the season in Colorado (September 28-30). In 2017, back in April (25-27). I don’t know what schedule quirk it is that has the Nats freezing in Colorado year after year, but it’s been pretty consistent.
Better than a couple of years ago when it was two…
Spring questions regarding “our guys”:
— Who’s on third? Will House look improved enough to have a chance to make it to the majors this year?
— Is Cavalli’s arm back? What about Henry’s?
— Will Crews be playing CF or RF?
— How will Hassell, Morales, and Wallace look coming off injury-filled seasons? Do they look like potential major leaguers?
— How will Susana, Lara, Stuart, Lord, and Alaverez look against big-league hitters?
And on a minor note : what type of an outfield depth chart will Skipper Sr Deshields pencil in on City Isle ?