LIVE: Opening Day FAQ: Phillies vs. Nationals

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals and Phillies are opening the 2025 season with a National League East division matchup.

On Thursday afternoon, Washington will host Philadelphia at Nationals Park.

The Phillies are coming off a first-place finish in the division in 2024. At 95-67, they tallied their most wins since 2011. They were eliminated by the Mets in Game 4 of the NL Division Series.

The Nationals are looking to improve from back-to-back 71-91 records. They have not finished better than fourth place in the division since their 2019 World Series championship year.

As the Nats celebrate their 20th anniversary season, this is a rematch of the 2005 Opening Day. Two decades ago on April 4, Jon Lieber bested Liván Hernández in the starting matchup at Citizens Bank Park.

When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Watch the Phillies' broadcast on NBCSP+ and NBC 10, stream the game locally on PHILLIES.TV and listen on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680.

Watch the Nationals' broadcast on MASN and listen on 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 FM (Spanish) and La Pantera WFAX 100.7 FM/1220 AM (Spanish).

What are the lineups?
Phillies

1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Bryce Harper, 1B
3. Alec Bohm, 3B
4. Kyle Schwarber, DH
5. J.T. Realmuto, C
6. Max Kepler, LF
7. Nick Castellanos, RF
8. Bryson Stott, 2B
9. Brandon Marsh, CF

Nationals

1. CJ Abrams, SS
2. James Wood, LF
3. Luis García Jr., 2B
4. Josh Bell, DH
5. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
6. Paul DeJong, 3B
7. Keibert Ruiz, C
8. Dylan Crews, RF
9. Jacob Young, CF

Who are the starting pitchers?
Right-hander Zack Wheeler, the 2024 NL Cy Young Award runner-up, gets his second consecutive Opening Day start. Last season, Wheeler, 34, was 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA in 32 starts.

Left-hander MacKenzie Gore earned his first career Opening Day start as he enters his fourth season. The 26-year-old went 10-12 with a 3.90 ERA in 32 starts last year.

• Phillies-Nationals Opening Day starting pitchers: Wheeler vs. Gore

How might the bullpens line up after the starter?
Phillies: Phils manager Rob Thomson uses a closer-by-committee approach, but if the team needs a save on Opening Day, right-hander Jordan Romano or left-hander José Alvarado would be good bets. Left-hander Matt Strahm and right-hander Orion Kerkering will see high-leverage opportunities, too. Behind them are right-handers José Ruiz, Joe Ross and Carlos Hernández and left-hander Tanner Banks.

Nationals: The Nationals re-signed All-Star right-hander Kyle Finnegan as the closer. Watch for left-hander Jose A. Ferrer to see save opportunities, as well. Right-hander Eduardo Salazar returns to the bullpen, and the Nats added southpaw Colin Poche and righties Lucas Sims and Jorge López. Right-handers Jackson Rutledge, Brad Lord (Washington’s No. 23 prospect) and Orlando Ribalta (No. 30) are competing for the final two bullpen spots.

Any injuries of note?
Phillies: Left-hander Ranger Suárez will open the season on the 15-day injured list because of a sore lower back, but he would not have pitched in this series anyway.

Nationals: The Nats will be without righty reliever Derek Law, who pitched 90 innings last year, at the beginning of the season because of right arm soreness.

Who’s hot and who’s not?
Phillies: Kepler (1.175 OPS in 17 games) and Bohm (1.042 in 16 games) both had a hot spring, while Stott and Marsh did as well, combining for 28 walks.

Nationals: Wood finished Grapefruit League action with a team-high four home runs and a 1.007 OPS. Alex Call, who earned the fourth outfield spot, drew 12 walks to only five strikeouts. Lowe’s .200 batting average is reflective of him using Spring Training as an opportunity to see and learn pitches rather than swing for power.

Anything else fans might want to know?
? The first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive an Opening Day T-shirt.

? Hall of Fame sportswriter and columnist Thomas Boswell will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.