WASHINGTON — The Nationals are billing this weekend as "Blossoms & Baseball," and there's not a palm tree in sight. Tonight's game with the Nationals isn't the opener, but it certainly feels different than the previous 30 games this spring.
"I always like it as a player, to close down your spring training facility and get out there, get to play in a stadium with three decks. Or six, here," manager Paul Molitor said. "It transitions you well into your actual opener. I think everybody is happy for the change of scenery, a little bit more of a big-league atmosphere."
It's the first time Byung Ho Park has ever played in an MLB stadium, and he was in the dugout early today, watching the Nationals take batting practice and absorbing his new surroundings. Biggest park he's ever set foot in, Park said, and the amenities for the players behind the scenes? "Much better" than he's used to in South Korea.
Park is in the lineup tonight, batting sixth as the designated hitter — the Twins are using the DH tonight, the Nationals are not — and Molitor said he'll be watching his 29-year-old rookie.
"The regular season is different for everybody. For him, it's going to be a change — these ballparks, the atmosphere, day in and day out the quality of pitching he's going to see," Molitor said. "I don't think he's overly fazed by the size of the park. He commented to me the Korean parks aren't very good, period. I think he's going to enjoy playing in these parks."
Molitor is using his Opening Day lineup, and the starters will play between six or eight innings; tomorrow, they'll probably just get a couple of at-bats. He wants to use all six of the relievers who are here tonight or tomorrow, one inning apiece. (Michael Tonkin stayed behind in Fort Myers to get a longer appearance, 45 pitches minimum, on Saturday.)
Former Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki is in the lineup, and former Twins catcher Wilson Ramos is in Washington's, as well as the Nats' new leadoff hitter, Ben Revere. Here are the lineups for tonight's game at Nationals Park:
TWINS
Dozier 2B
Mauer 1B
Sano RF
Plouffe 3B
Rosario LF
Park DH
Escobar SS
Suzuki C
Buxton CF
Hughes RHP
NATIONALS
Revere CF
Rendon 3B
Harper RF
Zimmerman 1B
Murphy 2B
Werth LF
Ramos C
Espinosa SS
Roark RHP