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The April schedule begins on the road in a very tough place for the Nats to play. Washington begins at Florida April 6th. At least we will know pretty quickly how the Nats will be in that first week. The last two seasons, Florida has had the Nats number early in the year. I am always for playing a team that has an advantage on your team in years past early, to see how you are right now. I love that challenge.

After a trip to Atlanta, the Nats home opener will be April 13th against the Phillies. It begins a nine-game home stand that features the Phils, Marlins and Braves. Thats another thing I like about the Major League schedule. All in division, all crucial to how the season will play out. As a matter of fact, the first 21 games are against NL East opponents. This is the tough part, though, 12 of those games are on the road (including the Nats first visit ever to the Mets brand new Citi Field).

In we go to May, which begins with a continuing homestand against the Cards and Astros. Six more games at Nationals Park before the Nats head west for the first time in 2009. This trip will also be very difficult. Two in L.A., three in Arizona and three in San Francisco. Okay, besides seeing some great baseball in fascinating and historic (see Dodger Stadium) ballparks, it's also a chance to plan that (early) summer vacation to Venice Beach, The Arizona Desert and Fisherman's Wharf.

I have been to Dodger Stadium for a game, great place to get a Dodger Dog and be a part of the Hollywood lifestyle for a moment, at least. I've never been to Arizona for a baseball game but I have seen the spectacular monolith that is Chase Field as I headed to US Airways Center in Phoenix. Same for San Francisco, I love the city and have been to Candlestick Park several times, and would love to take in a game at AT&T Park.

A welcome day off on May 14th, then its back home for an extended homestand against the Phillies again, Pirates and (look at that!) the Orioles. That's right, the rivalry builds as the Birds arrive at Nats Park May 22nd through the 24th. I love this matchup already! And the place should be jumping. Thanks Ronnie Belliard for that walk off HR!!!

Another roadie wraps up May with the N.Y. Mets and the Phillies. Now its time for June! The 6th month of the year begins with the Nats at home against the Giants, Mets and Reds. Make a note to plan that birthday party for the Nats series against Cincy! They have to win on your birthday, right??

This month is also special because it's the first chance for the Nats to play the other teams in the A.L. East. It begins with a series on the road at Tampa Bay (yes, weekend in St. Pete!) and back to the Big Apple against the Yankees in the NEW Yankee Stadium. Then home to face the Bluejays and the Boston Red Sox. Yes, the Red Sox arrive June 23rd through the 25th. Although it's a mid-week series, I am going to go out on a limb and say the South Capitol Street corridor will be packed for that series.

The Nats wrap up the month at the Orioles and Marlins. July begins with a very special saturday game July 4th at home against the Atlanta Braves. This is a very good thing that baseball will be in town for Independence Day. Baseball in D.C. on July 4th should be etched in a stone tablet that is the baseball schedule template for years to come. Let's hope the schedule makers agree!

After a short homestand, the Nats are back on the road in Denver and Houston for an important seven-game road swing. The All-Star break is next in St. Louis. The rest of the month begins with another awesome series at Nationals Park featuring the Chicago Cubs July 16th through the 19th. What a great way to spend the weekend in D.C. as the vaunted Cubs pay a visit. The Mets and Padres finish off an extended 10-game homestand.

Into August, the team heads on the road to Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. So Brats in Wisconsin, then Primanti sandwiches in the city with Three Rivers. Another homestand in early August versus Florida and Arizona. Back on the road at Atlanta and Cincy (Montgomery Inn for Ribs!, don't forget!). The month is half over when the Rockies and Brewers make their lone visits to D.C. Another long roadie wraps up the month at Chicago, St. Louis and San Diego. I understand the tempo of the first two stops in this road swing, but the Sunday-Monday trip from Missouri to California will be a test of the team's energy level, especially at the end of a span of 16 straight games without a day off!

Now we head into the homestretch of September. I have talked about it a lot this week. The Nats want these games in September to mean something for them next year instead of playing the role of spoiler. It's even more important this year because the team is playing well again in this month. If they can take care of business in April, May and June of 2009, September 2009 will be crucial to the Nats making the postseason instead of worrying about what the Mets and Phils do.

Early in September, the Nats are home against the Marlins and Phillies from the 4th through the 10th. A monster road trip in the middle of September, all against NL East opponents, will also be a good measure of where the Nats stand next year. At Florida, at Philadelphia and at the Mets in New York: nine games from September 11th through the 20th. The Dodgers, Braves and Mets arrive at Nationals Park towards the end of the month. The Nats finish up the regular season in Atlanta at the beginning of October. Let's hope that playing in October 2009 will continue after the 4th for Nationals baseball. Now that's something to look forward to!