Brian McNally

Updated: Tue, Apr 2, 2013

So it turns out spring training might be overrated. The Nationals spent $28 million over two years to sign closer Rafael Soriano during the offseason, a surprise move meant to bolster an already-strong bullpen. But he was delayed arriving to Viera, Fla., by visa issues in his native Dominican...

Kevin Dunleavy

Updated: Mon, Apr 1, 2013

While Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals and Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers had the two highest-profile victories on Opening Day, two lesser-known pitchers from Chicago, Chris Sale of the White Sox and Jeff Samardzija of the Cubs, were nearly as good, leading their teams to the city's first...

Brian McNally

Updated: Mon, Apr 1, 2013

Outfielder homers twice to back sharp Stephen Strasburg Everything seemed scripted. The ace made hitters look helpless, outs following each other with numbing regularity. The young phenom again shined on the big stage in front of a swooning sellout crowd. This is exactly what the Nationals...

Brian McNally

Updated: Mon, Apr 1, 2013

Catcher tears up a bit after rough 17 months Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos blinked away the tears as he warmed up teammate Stephen Strasburg in the bullpen for Monday's Opening Day victory over the Miami Marlins. You could hardly blame him. Ramos has been through so much over the last 17...

Thom Loverro

Updated: Mon, Apr 1, 2013

Davey Johnson's 1997 Baltimore Orioles were in first place from the first game of the regular season to the finale -- wire to wire. Just saying. On Day One of the 2013 baseball season, the Washington Nationals are in first place in the National League East. Just saying. Stephen Strasburg...

Rick Snider

Updated: Mon, Apr 1, 2013

It was a day of goosebumps. From a trophy case of hardware being handed out for the past season during pregame ceremonies to Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha throwing out the first pitch, a frenzied crowd that arrived more than two hours early Monday was ready to celebrate what is just...

John Keim

Published: Sun, Mar 31, 2013

With Opening Day on Monday, it seems like a good time to look at the top days in sports. Here are our five: 5. New Year's Day » It used to be even better before the BCS started spreading out the better games. But it remains a special day, with college football starting at 11 a.m. It's a...

Brian McNally

Updated: Sun, Mar 31, 2013

It might not be the best division top to bottom in baseball. But there will be no more fascinating race than the National League West, which essentially is a social experiment: What happens when a big-market team utterly abandons any notion of a budget? Can you turn a decent team into a winner...

Brian McNally

Published: Sun, Mar 31, 2013

A whole lot has to go right for an organization to go from laughingstock to legitimate World Series contender in four years. But that's exactly where the Nationals are as the 2013 season begins Monday afternoon against the Miami Marlins. With a balanced lineup, a loaded rotation and a solid...

Brian McNally

Updated: Sun, Mar 31, 2013

Unlike last year, Washington has its full lineup If the Nationals have untapped potential heading into 2013, it resides on the white board in the hallway just outside their locker room. There, the names of manager Davey Johnson's starters for Monday's anticipated Opening Day game against the...