A sea of red is spilling into Nationals Park through the center field gate, and we're just about an hour away from first pitch here between the Nationals and Marlins. Wilson Ramos is ready for his first regular season game in nearly 11 months, saying he's as excited as he could possibly be. Denard Span is pumped for his first meaningful game in a Nats jersey, and says he had trouble sleeping last night because of all the excitement. General manager Mike Rizzo is ready to go, as...

Opening day is always a special time for the fans but is it just another game to the players? Far from it. Especially with what the Nationals were able to accomplish in 2012. A pregame banner ceremony will commemorate the National League East crown from last season, and then it is time to go to work to try to do it again. "I enjoy opening day," said Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche. "It is an absolute necessity. It is kind of the parade that kicks this thing off." And repeating...

Well, it is almost here, another season of Orioles baseball. There is always excitement for opening day and the rebirth we feel with a new season. I think one of the neat things about last year's Orioles playoff appearance was hearing many writers and broadcasters around the country say it was great to see the O's winning again. "Baseball is better when the Orioles are contending," some said, or words to that effect. They don't have to convince most of us. I have over 40 years...

By any measure, the Nationals' 2012 season was an historic time in the nation's capital. It was the city's first winning season since 1969, its most wins and first postseason appearance in almost 80 years, and first postseason victory since the 1933 World Series. The 2013 season could be even more historic. Few people alive today can remember a season with such high expectations for a Washington baseball team. The pundits at Sports Illustrated and other national media outlets are picking...

We couldn't have asked for a much nicer day for a ballgame, at least on April 1 in Washington, D.C. It's supposed to be around 63 and sunny at first pitch here at Nationals Park, with no rain in the forecast. I'll take it. For those of you coming to the game, you might want to get here early. The opening day ceremonies will begin at 12:08 p.m., with James Brown serving as the master of ceremonies. The Nationals are scheduled to unveil their National League East division champions sign at...

A long winter and a seemingly even longer spring training are behind us. The first pitch of the regular season was thrown last night in Houston, and this afternoon, the Nationals will kick off their 2013 campaign, one that comes with the highest of expectations. Happy opening day, everyone. This day couldn't come soon enough for the Nationals, who saw their 2012 World Series hopes come crumbling down last Oct. 12. Same goes for their opening day starter, Stephen Strasburg, whose season ended...

Greetings, MASNsports.com readers. On behalf of the Fansided Network and our great staff of writers at Birds Watcher, it's an honor to be back with you for the 2013 season. With the season beginning in earnest tomorrow afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla., the big lingering question regarding the Orioles is whether or not they can repeat their successes from 2012. Before getting into that question, it's worth mentioning as a disclaimer that we have no clue what wild cards (is the use of that...

ST.PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles will conduct their workout at Tropicana Field today at 3 p.m., and my first prediction for the 2013 season is that the temperature will be 72 degrees. That's the last time I'm going out on a limb. The clubhouse will be open to reporters from 2-2:45 p.m. Then it's back up to the press box while players trickle out of the dugout, take batting practice and go through fielding drills. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters a few days ago that he would pass...

Right-hander Dylan Bundy, considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, is dealing with a mild elbow issue, Orioles vice president Dan Duquette confirmed tonight to MASNsports.com "Dylan has some mild tightness in his right elbow which he is resting until it's resolved, which we expect will be in a couple of days," Duquette wrote via text. Bundy went 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 23 starts this past season at three minor league levels and then pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in two...

Right-hander Ryan Mattheus feels like 2013 is different. Of course, he has to prove himself. But this feels better than in years past where he came into camp trying to make the team. This season, he felt like his spot was his to lose. He felt more in control during spring training. "It's huge," Mattheus said. "I finally had the pressures of making the team. I guess I could have went in and lost the job. I came in this spring and it was my job to lose. And that is just comforting, that I...