The Washington Nationals are gearing up for an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park, wrapping up a two-game series that serves as their final tune-up before Opening Day at Wrigley Field in Chicago. With Cade Cavalli set to take the mound for the season opener, the Nationals are making their last preparations.
The roster decisions are still in the air, with the final lineup needing to be locked by Thursday morning. The recent addition of Jorbit Vivas hints that General Manager Paul Toboni might have more moves up his sleeve. There's a noticeable gap at backup first base for a right-handed hitter, and the roles of closer and right-fielder remain undecided, leaving some uncertainty as the season kicks off.
This matchup with Baltimore also highlights a reunion between two friends in the managerial seats. Nationals’ manager Blake Butera and Orioles’ manager Craig Albernaz share a history from their time with the Tampa Bay Rays system. Butera credits Albernaz with significantly influencing his development as a leader and coach.
Reflecting on their past, Butera shared, "When you're struggling offensively, having someone who boosts your confidence every time you step up is invaluable. That’s something I learned from Craig."
On the field, the Nationals wrapped up Spring Training with the best ERA in the Grapefruit League at 3.00, showcasing their pitching prowess. However, their offense lagged, finishing last in OPS at .606. As the Nationals head into the regular season, balancing these strengths and weaknesses will be crucial.