Opening Day FAQ: Nationals vs. Reds

CINCINNATI -- Two franchises loaded with younger rosters seeking to improve from previous seasons are set to meet on Thursday, when the Nationals and Reds square off on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park.

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Since winning the World Series in 2019, the Nats have had four straight losing seasons, including a 71-91 campaign in '23. That was an improvement, however, from a 107-loss season in '22.

Cincinnati went through its own rebuilding season with 100 losses in 2022, but the Reds surprised many last season by contending for the postseason into the final weekend of 2023 before finishing 82-80.

Here is everything you need to know to get ready for Opening Day.

When is the game and how can I watch it?

First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on MLB.TV, or locally on Bally Sports Ohio (Reds) or MASN (Nationals). Fans can also listen on At Bat; 700 WLW-AM and the Reds Radio Network in Cincinnati; or 106.7 The Fan or 87.7 FM in Washington. It’s also available in Spanish on La Pantera 100.7 FM and 1220 AM in D.C.

What are the starting lineups?

Nationals:

1. C.J. Abrams, SS
2. Lane Thomas, RF
3. Jesse Winker, LF
4. Joey Meneses, DH
5. Joey Gallo, 1B
6. Keibert Ruiz, C
7. Eddie Rosario, CF
8. Nick Senzel, 3B
9. Luis García Jr., 2B

Reds:

1. Jonathan India, 2B
2. Will Benson, CF
3. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B
4. Jeimer Candelario, 3B
5. Jake Fraley, RF
6. Elly De La Cruz, SS
7. Spencer Steer, LF
8. Nick Martini, DH
9. Tyler Stephenson, C

Who are the starting pitchers?

Nationals: RHP Josiah Gray
Gray will make his first Opening Day start one season after making his All-Star debut. Originally drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2018 Draft, Gray went 8-13 with a 3.91 ERA for the Nats last season.

Reds: RHP Frankie Montas
This will be Montas' third career Opening Day start, but his first with the Reds. He signed a one-year, $16 million contract in January after right shoulder surgery limited him to just 1 1/3 innings last season for the Yankees.

How might the bullpens line up after the starter?

Reds: Cincinnati will need to bridge the gap between Montas and closer Alexis Díaz in the ninth inning. The rest of the Reds' bullpen consists of right-handers Lucas Sims, Emilio Pagan, Buck Farmer, Tejay Antone and Fernando Cruz; and left-handers Brent Suter and Justin Wilson -- so look for David Bell to piece things together using some combo of those arms.

Nationals: After a tight competition in camp, Washington will enter the season with Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey, Tanner Rainey, Dylan Floro, Jordan Weems, Robert Garcia, Matt Barnes and Derek Law in the bullpen. Garcia is the lone southpaw of the group.

Any injuries of note?

Reds: OF Tejay Friedl (fractured right wrist), 2B Matt McLain (left shoulder), RHP Ian Gibaut (forearm), LHP Sam Moll (left shoulder) and LHP Alex Young (back) are all sidelined for Cincinnati.

Nationals: LHP Jose A. Ferrer (teres major strain), OF Stone Garrett (fractured left fibula) and RHP Mason Thompson (Tommy John surgery) are all expected to begin the season on the IL.

Who’s hot and who’s not?

Nationals: Thomas batted .306 with a .916 OPS and a trio of homers in spring camp. He's also had plenty of success at Great American Ball Park, where he had a three-homer game on June 3, 2022, and a two-homer game last Aug. 4. On the other side of things, Gallo entered camp looking to ramp up for bounceback season, but he batted only .103 (4-for-39) and did not hit a home run in Grapefruit League play.

Reds: Encarnacion-Strand led the club this spring with five home runs, three triples and 14 RBIs. Meanwhile, Candelario hit just .190 (8-for-42) in Spring Training, though he hit his first spring homer on Saturday.

Anything else fans might want to know?

• Dave Martinez's managerial debut with the Nationals also came in Cincinnati on Opening Day in 2018.

• There are plenty of former members of the Reds' organization on the 2024 Nationals, including Gray, Law, Rainey, Senzel and outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker.

• On the flip side, Candelario was on Washington's Opening Day roster in 2023.

• Former Reds first baseman and MLB Network analyst Sean Casey is throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Big Red Machine left fielder George Foster will deliver the official game ball and broadcasting icon Marty Brennaman is serving as an honorary team captain to mark the 50th anniversary of his debut with the Reds in 1974.