WASHINGTON — It’s time for October baseball in Washington.
The Nationals are set to begin their postseason run by hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday afternoon in the first game of the best-of-five National League Division Series.
Gates open at 3 p.m.; the first pitch is scheduled for 5:38 in front of a sellout crowd at Nationals Park.
“There’s nothing like playoffs,” said Nationals owner Mark Lerner. “The noise will be deafening and I think you’ll find that many people won’t even sit down the whole game.”
Before the game, the 1st Helicopter Squadron from will make a flyover from Joint Base Andrews, and a special guest will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The team urges all fans to wear as much red as possible for an initiative that has been labeled #RedAllOver. Fans entering the stadium will be given a red rally towel to wave around as they cheer during the game.
“We’re very pumped up,” said Lerner. “If everything falls together nicely, maybe in a few weeks we’ll be walking down Pennsylvania Avenue with a trophy.”
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, and if they do they can take advantage of a couple of deals: The team is offering a 20 percent discount on all food, and on Nationals merchandise at the Early Bird Kiosk in Center Field Plaza, for the first hour after gates open.
In addition to Games 1 and 2, Game 5 will be played in D.C. if the series lasts that long.
Seats for all NLDS games at Nationals Park are sold out, but limited-release tickets and standing room only tickets may be available.
The Nationals announced the team’s 25-player roster for the Division Series on Friday morning.
It includes five rookies and four players with 10 years’ experience or more, as well as 15 players with previous playoff experience.
PITCHERS: Shawn Kelley, Reynaldo Lopez, Mark Melancon, Tanner Roark, Joe Ross, Max Scherzer, Blake Treinen, Gio Gonzalez*, Marc Rzepczynski*, Oliver Perez*, Sammy Solis*. (* Left-handed)
CATCHERS: Jose Lobaton, Pedro Severino.
INFIELDERS: Stephen Drew, Wilmer Difo, Danny Espinosa, Daniel Murphy, Anthony Rendon, Clint Robinson, Ryan Zimmerman.
OUTFIELDERS: Bryce Harper, Chris Heisey, Michael A. Taylor, Trea Turner, Jayson Werth.
Max Scherzer will pitch Game 1 for the Nationals; Clayton Kershaw, for the Dodgers.
