Start times announced (kind of) for NLDS

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

September 29, 2014, 2:07pm

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Major League Baseball has announced start times for the early Division Series games, and while we don't know exactly when the Nationals will play their first postseason game, we now have a better idea.

If the Pirates win the National League wild card Game on Wednesday, Game 1 of the NLDS at Nationals Park will start at 12:07 p.m. on Friday.

If the Giants win the wild card game, then they will take on the Nats in Game 1 starting at 3:07 p.m.

Saturday's Game 2 between the Nats and the wild card winner will take place at 5:37 p.m., regardless of whether it's the Pirates or Giants who advance.

Both game Game 1 and Game 2 of the NLDS involving the Nats will air on Fox Sports 1.

If the Giants end up advancing to the NLDS, the sun could be a significant factor in Game 1, given the 3:07 p.m. start time. The "sun monster," as it's become known, is at its worst at Nats Park between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Shadows creep over the infield during that time, and right and center field can be covered in sun, with the outfielders often needing to battle to see fly balls hit their way.

Regardless, it looks like anyone attending Game 1 will need to take at least a half-day off of work. It's worth it, though. Postseason baseball is back in D.C.