Murphy ready for emotional return to Nationals Park

Daniel Murphy flew from Milwaukee to Washington late Wednesday night, rode home and slept in his own bed for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks. There was comfort in that routine, to be sure.

Then Murphy rode today to Nationals Park and instead of entering the home clubhouse kept walking around the concourse to the visitors' side behind third base, where his No. 3 Cubs jersey was hanging in his locker and his name was listed in the No. 1 lineup slot for tonight's series opener.

Yeah, these are strange times for the veteran second baseman.

"There's definitely emotions," he said.

When Murphy departed Washington on August 21, surprised to have been traded by a Nationals club that was still clinging to faint hopes of a late-season surge after a hugely disappointing summer, he knew it wouldn't be long before he was coming back to town. The Cubs were scheduled all along to play a four-game series here this weekend, and Murphy knew he'd be right in the thick of it.

Fittingly enough, he'll be the first batter to step to the plate tonight and dig in against Stephen Strasburg. And what would it mean to him to be on the receiving end of a loud ovation from Nationals fans?

"It would be humbling if they did," he said. "I never expect to get cheered. You just come out, try to do your job and play as hard as you can. But if there's applause, then I'd be humbled by it."

Murphy didn't receive much applause every time he returned to Citi Field the last three seasons, Mets fans perhaps projecting their frustration with their front office for not re-signing him after a brilliant postseason run in 2015 and letting him instead go to the Nationals for three years and $37.5 million.

The boos only grew louder every time he terrorized the Mets; in 46 games against his former team the last three seasons, he hit .383 with 11 homers, 43 RBIs and a 1.140 OPS.

Given his notoriously detailed preparation for opposing pitchers, did the Nationals spend some extra time this afternoon devising a plan of attack to face him for the first time?

"We know that he's a very good hitter," manager Davey Martinez said with a laugh. "And we know that he does prepare very well. Yeah, we're trying to prepare so we know, when he does step up there, the best way to get him out."

Murphy has, unsurprisingly, gotten off to a strong start for Chicago, hitting .316 with four homers and three doubles in 13 games. He has, surprisingly, led off all 13 games, and he'll be leading off again tonight. It's something Murphy did a few times early in his career in New York but never did in Washington, though he has embraced the challenge.

"My first thought was: Continue to try to have good at-bats," he said. "That's really the only thing in my control. And my second thought was: There's going to be a lot of at-bats in the 1-hole. I'll get one more than everybody else."

Joe Maddon has never been afraid to try unconventional things, and this probably qualifies. It's among the reasons Murphy has enjoyed playing for the Cubs manager, who of course has rubbed off some on his former bench coach now in charge of the Nationals.

"I've really enjoyed it," Murphy said. "I see a lot of the similar characteristics between Davey and Joe. I'm excited about what the future has for Davey over there in D.C. with the Nationals. But I've really enjoyed my time here with Joe."

Murphy gave an unprompted vote of confidence to Martinez on his way out the door 2 1/2 weeks ago. And asked about his now-former manager again today, he didn't change his tune.

"I think he's a good man," Murphy said. "I think he's a really good baseball man. I thought that in the midst of a lot of trials, he was always positive. I thought we always played hard for him, which I think is a reflection of the manager, even when things aren't going well. I just enjoyed playing for him. I wish I would've been able to play more for him. I wish I would've been able to play better for him."