Washington Nationals: 2018 Grapefruit League schedule released

Lots of home games dominate the Washington Nationals pre-season schedule. They host the Minnesota Twins in DC on March 27.

The Washington Nationals have given you the fan a Valentine’s Day present already. Pitchers and catchers will report to West Palm Beach, Florida around the holiday for lovers to start preparation for the 2018 season.

In the Grapefruit League schedule released Monday afternoon, the Nats will open as the road team at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 23 against the world champion Houston Astros and finish back in DC on March 27 against the original Washington franchise, the Minnesota Twins.

Hope you love watching the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins as the Nats play them 13 times in Florida and face the Astros seven. Houston and Miami make up one of Washington’s two split squad games.

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Road trips to Orlando for the Atlanta Braves and Lakeland for the Detroit Tigers mark the longest trip of the pre-season. The Mets and Nats hook up six times, including the other split-squad affair.

After March 12, except for one trip to Port St. Lucie and the Mets, Washington never leaves West Palm Beach or Jupiter. Long travel is not in the cards next spring as there will be no trip to Florida’s west coast.

For the Nats, this is a critical spring.

Yes, the results do not matter and the stats get buried on the hidden pages of Baseball Reference. But, with a new coaching staff, it is important for everyone to get on the same page. New skipper Dave Martinez must have a handle on his squad before they break camp for their annual home game.

Remember, the Baltimore Orioles nixed the game in Annapolis at the Naval Academy for “territorial” issues.

There are two off-days on the calendar, but they are five days apart. March 9 and 14 are rest days.

After the last off day, seven of ten dates are at home. Although the endless parade of Miami, Houston and St. Louis will wear on the nerves, this gives the team a great chance to let the regulars play every day while allowing for ample auditions for those last roster spots.

If Daniel Murphy is ready by Opening Day, those are the games he must play in to get his timing down. With the Murphy injury, how Wilmer Difo handles the daily grind at second goes a long way at settling his immediate future.

Next: Scherzer's numbers HOF-quality

Tickets go on sale in December for the second year of action at this brand-new facility.

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