Nationals announce 2015 schedule

The Washington Nationals today released their 2015 schedule, which includes 81 home dates, beginning with Washington's 82nd home opener since 1901 on Monday, April 6 vs. the New York Mets and is highlighted by 13 weekend series against, among others, the Phillies (three times), Braves (two times), Cubs, Pirates, Giants, Dodgers and Brewers. Washington's 2015 slate both begins (see above) and concludes (Sunday, October 4 at Citi Field) against the NL East-rival Mets. Washington opens '15 by playing an NL East rival in 26 of its initial 32 contests through May 10, before capping the campaign with 26 of its final 29 games against intradivision foes, September 3 - October 4. While 29 of next season's initial 50 contests will be played on the road, Nationals fans can experience the thrill of pennant-race baseball in The Nation's Capital for themselves, as from August 21 - September 27, Washington will host 26 games in 38 days within the comfy confines of Nationals Park. The annual Battle of the Beltways Series between the Nationals and Orioles continues for a tenth consecutive season with both clubs hosting a three-game set. Washington welcomes the Orioles to D.C. for three games, Sept. 21-23, in the latest interleague series in the Nationals' 11 big league seasons. The Nationals will square off with the American League East for 20 interleague contests in 2015. Washington's home interleague slate includes visits from the Yankees (two games, May 19-20), the Blue Jays (three games, June 1-3), the Rays (two games, June 17-18) and the aforementioned visit from the Orioles (three games, September 21-23). The Yankees' visit to The District is their first since sweeping a three-game set at Nationals Park, June 15-17, 2012. Thus, the Nationals will look to hand the Bronx Bombers their first series loss at Nationals Park. Washington will make interleague road stops in Boston (three games), New York (two), Tampa Bay (two) and Baltimore (three games, July 10-12). The 2015 home schedule features the following holiday home games: Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10 vs. Braves), Father's Day (Sunday, June 21 vs. Pirates), Independence Day (Saturday, July 4 vs. Giants) and Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7 vs. Mets). Of the Nationals' 12 homestands, only one lasts 10 or more games. Nationals Park will host 10 contests in 11 days to close out the home slate from September 17-27 (Marlins, Orioles, Phillies). September/October (17 games), August (16) and June (15) contain the most home games in a calendar month, while April hosts the fewest (10). All dates and opponents on this schedule are subject to change.