Good Morning, Washington Nationals Fans,

Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, March 28.

Welcome to the Morning Briefing! Haden and here. Yes, you get two of us today for Opening Day 2024.

It’s Opening Day! Richard will publish our Game Notes two hours before the first pitch and don’t forget to follow us on X today as we will publish the first in-season lineup for the Nationals, some analysis during the game, and so much more.

Shout outs

The Nats Report would like to give our first-ever shout-out to super subscriber Mary Hughes. Mary earned this shout-out by referring and getting over 13 subscribers to subscribe to the Nats Report. You surely brought the Natitude! Congrats!

Richard: Hey,  can I get a second shout-out?

Haden: Sure, just this time! Rich.

Richard: Thanks; our second-ever shout-out goes to my son, Herschel. Herschel is a huge Washington Nationals fan! We have been going to Nationals games together for years, and I can’t wait to bring him to his second Nationals Home Opening Game on Monday! Dude, you bring the Natitude every day!

I love you,

Dad

[You can earn a shout-out in the Morning Breifing by referring your friends and family members to subscribe to the Nats Report. We made it simple, so just click the bottom below.]

Everyone at the Nats Report will like to wish you a Happy Opening Day! Let’s go 1-0 today!

Okay, let’s get down to business.

Leading this Morning’s Briefing: It’s Opening Day

Today is Opening Day. The Nationals will take on the Cincinnati Reds at 4:10 p.m., televised on MASN2. Josiah Gray, one of the rebuild's main faces, will make his first Opening Day start. Frankie Montas will start for the Reds.

Montas has been injured for the past season and a half, almost perfectly in line with being traded to the Yankees. Because of that, Nationals’ hitters have either a couple of plate appearances against him or, as in the case of the vast majority, none.

The Reds, on the other hand, have some experience against Gray. The top performers against him are phenom prospect Elly De La Cruz, outfielder Will Benson, and catcher Tyler Stephenson.

The Reds are coming into the season with high expectations after having a breakout year in 2023. Unfortunately, key pieces in that breakout, Matt McLain and TJ Friedl, are set to begin the season on the injured list. The Reds will now have to rely on a familiar Nationals face: Jeimer Candelario's experience to guide them through the first few months until they return.

News from the Farm

Stay with us all season long for the latest news from the Nationals farm system. It will be a busy season filled with callups, analysis, and so much more, and once again, the Nats Report will have you covered! We will have dedicated reports covering each team this season, provide you with Game Notes for each team’s games, weekly recaps, and so much more.

You won't want to miss out on all the action. If you're into what’s happening with the Nationals Farm System, the Nats Report will be the place for you!

Here is what’s happening around the farm:

Triple A: The Rochester Red Wings Season starts tomorrow.

The Washington Nationals’ triple-A team, the Rochester Red Wings, will kick off their 2024 season tomorrow. The game is set at 2:05 p.m. against the Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY.

Double A: Harrisburg Senators

The Harrisburg Senators' season will start on Friday, April 5th, against the Erie SeaWolves in Harrisburg. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m.

High A: Wilmington Blue Rocks

The Wilmington Blue Rocks will kick off their season on Friday, April 5th, in Wilmington against the Brooklyn Cyclones. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Single A: Fredericksburg Nationals

The Fredericksburg Nationals will kick off their season on Friday, April 5th, against the Delmarva Shorebirds in Fredericksburg. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Our 40-man Roster Breakdown Ends Today.

We will break down every player on the 40-man roster until Opening Day. You can read all the previous editions by clicking the button below.

ICYMI: Latest articles on the Nats Report

Even though it is the offseason, we have been extremely busy producing great content on the Nats Report. Here are just a couple of the articles that we have published recently that you might have missed:

• Podcast: In the Clubhouse (Spring Training Notes)
• Spring Training Storylines to Watch
• Potential ballpark funding changes
• Can We Get Some Relief?
• Sleepers! Get Your Sleeper Prospects Here!

Featured Stories of the Day

Dodgers extend catcher Smith on 10-year deal via MLB Trade Rumors

Marlins trade infielder Berti to Yankees in three-team deal via MLB Trade Rumors

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