After a couple weeks of workouts, throwing and bullpen sessions, super-exciting live batting practice matchups and even two intrasquad games, the Washington Nationals start their 2016 Grapefruit League schedule this afternoon in a Spring Training matchup with the AL East's Tampa Bay Rays, in what is actually the Nationals' first game in the Rays' Spring home, Port Charlotte, FL's Charlotte Sports Park.
As noted in their press release on the Spring schedule earlier this winter, Washington played a home and home series with Tampa Bay in 2005, but after the home half in Space Coast Stadium, the Nationals traveled to Tropicana Field for an exhibition game in the Rays' regular season home.