Nats Opening Day: Clydesdales, Ted Lerner Ceremony, What To Know

WASHINGTON, DC — While the appearance of cherry blossoms in bloom around the tidal basin and the influx of tourists crowding Metro platforms are sure signs that spring has arrived in the nation's capital for most people, the season doesn't truly begin for baseball fans in the District until the first pitch is thrown at Nationals Park.

For those people, spring officially arrives at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday, as the Washington Nationals host their home opener against division rivals the Atlanta Braves.

Even if the Nats did finish last year with a 55-107 record, posting the most losses of any major league team, things could be different this season, right?

The Braves are coming off a 101-61 regular season. That was good enough to get them into the playoffs, where they were defeated in the first round by the Phillies.

On Wednesday, Baseball Prospectus was predicting that the Nationals would end the 2023 season at the bottom of the National League East, with an estimated 60.9 wins and 101.1 losses.

But spring is about rebirth, after all, and hope. Everybody starts the season with a 0-0 record.

As part of Opening Day ceremonies, the Nats will induct founding principal owner Ted Lerner into the Nationals Ring of Honor. The billionaire real estate developer died on Feb. 12. Nats players and the coaching staff will be wearing a special patch on their sleeves to honor his memory during Thursday's game.

The Budweiser Clydesdales, who are celebrating their 90th anniversary, will join in the Opening Day festivities. Starting at 10:45 a.m., the Clydesdales will take a stroll around the ballpark neighborhood, before stopping at 11:15 a.m. outside Nationals Park's Center Field Gates.

Fans will have a chance to have their pictures taken with the famous horses and receive autographed memorabilia from Geraldo Parra, the 2019 World Series Champion and current special assistant to the general manager. One Clydesdale will also be available for photos outside the stadium's Budweiser Brew House from 12-12:30 p.m.

Capital Eagle, a D.C.-based, family-owned beer wholesaler is partnering with Anheuser-Busch InBev, to sponsor the Budweiser Clydesdales' visit. The brewer will also be offering samplings of drinks around the stadium for fans to try.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate America’s pastime with the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales,” said Capital Eagle President Neal Katcef, in a release. “There’s no better way to start another exciting season of Nationals baseball than with the Clydesdales.”

Here's everything you need to know about Opening Day at National's Park:

• OPENING DAY: Braves Vs. Nationals
• PITCHERS: Max Fried Vs. Patrick Corbin
• GATES OPEN: 11:35 a.m. ET
• GAME TIME: 1:05 p.m. ET
• STADIUM: Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St., Southeast
• SEATING: 41,339
• ADMISSION/PARKING: Tickets and parking passes can be purchased online.
• METRO: Take the Green Line train to the Navy Yard/Ballpark station.
• BROADCAST: MLB Network, Bally Sports Southeast and MASN.
• WEATHER: Skies over D.C. on Thursday are expected to be sunny with a high temperature of 54 degrees and a Northwest wind around 9 mph, according to the National Weather Service's forecast.
• PROHIBITED ITEMS: Backpacks, including those made of clear materials, unless they adhere to the Nationals' bag policy. Bags, with limited exceptions, must be clear and the items inside need to be clearly visible in order to be allowed into the ballpark. Single-serving food items may be brought into Nationals Park, provided they are contained in one of the approved bags. Metal or glass containers are prohibited, except for clear, factory-sealed or empty, plastic water bottles, no larger than one liter, juice boxes, insulin containers, and baby food. Outside alcohol is prohibited. Coolers and hard-sided containers are prohibited. For more information, read Major League Baseball's Guest Conduct Policy.