Despite coronavirus uncertainties, the Nationals announced the schedule for the 60-game 2020 season, slated to begin with a matchup against the Yankees on July 23.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 7 p.m with the first pitch at 7:08 p.m.
The announcement of the final 2020 schedule comes after several hurdles for the Nats as they prep to start the shortened season amid an ongoing pandemic.
On Monday, the Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo announced the cancellation of the teams’ workouts after players had yet to receive the results of their coronavirus tests from the week before.
This came a day after Nats reliever Sean Doolittle expressed frustration and concern about not getting his test results, and what he sees as rushed and disorganized safety precautions taken by the MLB ahead of season openers.
And, on Tuesday, the Washington Post’s Jesse Doughtery reported that Juan Soto is isolating after coming into contact with a player that has tested positive for coronavirus. (Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez revealed over the weekend that two Nats players have tested positive for coronavirus, reportedly from the team’s initially intake screening.)
Other team members like first baseman Ryan Zimmerman have already decided to opt-out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus safety concerns.
Following the three-game series against the Yankees in Nationals Park starting on July 23, the Nats will host the Toronto Blue Jays for two games on July 27 and 28, and travel to Canada for the remaining two games against the Blue Jays.
In the truncated season, the Nats will face off against the four other National League East teams with ten games each. The remaining 20 games in the season will be played against American League East teams close to the Nats’ geographical area to reduce travel. This includes the Baltimore Orioles, which home stadium is located only 38 miles from Nats Park.
The team will only go on four road trips throughout the season, stopping in cities including New York, Tampa Bay, Boston, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.
Colleen Grablick