2019 NLCS Games 3 and 4 at Nationals Park: What You Need to Know

October 14th, 2019

The Washington Nationals will continue their 2019 Postseason run when they host Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Monday, October 14 at 7:38 p.m. The NLCS continues on Tuesday, October 15 with Game 4 set to begin at 8:05 p.m. If a Game 5 is necessary, it will be played at 4:08 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16. Further information regarding Game 5 events and entertainment will be distributed at a later date, if necessary. All games against the St. Louis Cardinals will be televised exclusively on TBS. ALL GATES will open at 5:00 p.m. for Game 3, 5:30 p.m. for Game 4, and 1:30 p.m. for Game 5. Fans are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early in order to enjoy the pregame festivities.

Nationals Park features a number of options for transportation, including nearby Metro stations and local bus routes, and WMATA has announced extended Metro hours for Nationals Postseason games. For more information, please visit WMATA.com. Nationals Park is also bicycle friendly, featuring a FREE bike valet located in Garage C and more than 250 bike racks around the ballpark.

Available seats for the NLCS are extremely limited, and grandstand seating will not be available for purchase day-of-game throughout the Postseason. Limited released tickets may become available at nationals.com/Postseason.

Fans should be sure to check that they bring the correct NLCS ticket when attending each game. On Monday, October 14, only NLCS Home Game 1 tickets will be valid. On Tuesday, October 15, fans will need NLCS Home Game 2 tickets for entry to the game. Anyone with an incorrect ticket will not be admitted into the ballpark.

The only way to ensure guaranteed seats to every Nationals home game during the Postseason is with a NATS PLUS Membership. Visit nationals.com/NatsPlus for details.  

The Nationals want to be sure all fans can enjoy the entirety of the Postseason experience, and are encouraging fans to plan ahead and come to the ballpark early. Fans are encouraged to enter the ballpark through the gate closest to their seating area to avoid congestion at the Center Field Gates. ALL GATES will open two and a half hours before first pitch to allow fans time to enjoy pregame festivities, and fans entering the ballpark through ALL GATES will receive that day’s giveaway. To ensure everyone is in their seats before the pregame ceremonies begin, please consider leaving bags and extra items at home.

In addition, the Nationals are encouraging fans to wear red for all Postseason games at Nationals Park, as the team continues to #StayInTheFight.

NLCS GAME 3 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The NLCS Game 3 pregame ceremony will include:

  • America the Beautiful performed by the National Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet
  • Ceremonial first pitch thrown by Parker Staples, a pediatric cancer patient who visited the Nationals earlier this season through Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. The date on which Parker threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Nationals-Marlins game on May 24, is the date when the Nats season began to turn around.
  • Game Ball Delivery by Sergeant Major Michael Hensley, United States Marine Corps
  • United States Navy Ceremonial Guard will present our nation’s colors
  • National Anthem performed by DC Washington
  • Lineup introductions by special guest announcer Michael Buffer
  • Play Ball! announcement by Michael Buffer
  • God Bless America performed by U.S. Army Brass Quintet during the 7th-inning stretch

FAN PROMOTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

  • ALL fans will receive a Rally Towel featuring the Nationals “Vintage W” logo upon entry. The Rally Towel giveaway will be available at ALL GATES.
  • Fans will have the opportunity to win big cash prizes at every Postseason game through the 50/50 Raffle at Nationals Park. 50/50 Raffle tickets will be sold at kiosks located near Sections 108, 138 and 311, and by roving uniformed sellers, from the time gates open until the 7th-inning stretch. Half of the proceeds from the 50/50 Raffle benefit the Nationals Dream Foundation.
  • The Lloyd Dobler Effect will perform at Budweiser Terrace until 45 minutes prior to first pitch.
  • DJ Flexx will perform at Center Field Plaza until 45 minutes prior to first pitch, presented by Coca-Cola.
  • DJ Stylus Chris will perform at Home Plate Gate until 45 minutes prior to first pitch.
  • Face painters, caricature artists, and balloon twisters will be available near the Kids Play Area.

NLCS GAME 4 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The NLCS Game 4 pregame ceremony will include:

  • The Nationals will honor the Washington Mystics, fresh off their first WNBA title in franchise history. As part of the celebration, 2019 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
  • United States Navy Ceremonial Guard will present our nation’s colors
  • National Anthem performed by The U.S Army Color Guard and U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps from the Military District of Washington
  • Play Ball! announcement by The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor of the District of Columbia
  • God Bless America performed by Technical Sergeant Paige Wroble of the U.S. Air Force “Singing Sergeants” during the 7th-inning stretch

FAN PROMOTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

  • ALL fans will receive a Rally Towel featuring the Nationals “Curly W” logo upon entry. The Rally Towel giveaway will be available at ALL GATES.
  • Fans will have the opportunity to win big cash prizes at every Postseason game through the 50/50 Raffle at Nationals Park. 50/50 Raffle tickets will be sold at kiosks located near Sections 108, 138 and 311, and by roving uniformed sellers, from the time gates open until the 7th inning stretch. Half of the proceeds from the 50/50 Raffle benefit the Nationals Dream Foundation.
  • DJ Alkimist will perform at Budweiser Terrace until 45 minutes prior to first pitch.
  • DJ Stylus Chris will perform at Center Field Plaza until 45 minutes prior to first pitch.
  • Face painters, caricature artists, and balloon twisters will be available near the Kids Play Area.

GETTING TO THE BALLPARK

Due to large crowds, fans are strongly encouraged to allow extra time when planning their travel to Nationals Park. There will be plenty of pregame excitement both inside and outside the ballpark, and we want fans to arrive early to enjoy the festivities!

Fans can get a ride to and from the ballpark at the tap of a button by using a ride-share service. When exiting the ballpark, fans are encouraged to head to one the suggested ride-share pickup locations including:

  • N St. SE and New Jersey Ave. SE
  • L St. SE between First St. SE and New Jersey Ave. SE
  • M St. SW and Half St. SW

Fans should also consider alternate forms of travel to and from the ballpark, including the D.C. Circulator from Union Station, biking to the ballpark, or the baseball boat from Alexandria. Visit nationals.com/WayToGo for information on parking and transportation options to Nationals Park. To receive up-to-date WMATA service notifications on a mobile device, fans are encouraged to register for Alert DC at http://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc.

Fans traveling to the ballpark should be aware that there are construction projects underway in the surrounding area. To ensure safe crossings, please be mindful of signage and directions given by public safety officers. 

BALLPARK SAFETY

Beginning with the 2019 season, backpacks may not be brought into Nationals Park except as otherwise provided in the Nationals Bag Policy. The policy was revised in order to enhance ballpark safety. Exceptions may be made for backpack diaper bags or backpacks used for ADA/medical reasons. All purses, briefcases, drawstring bags, diaper bags and soft-sided coolers that do not exceed 16”x16”x8” will still be permitted.

Nationals Park is a completely non-smoking and tobacco-free facility per District of Columbia law. There is no exception for electronic cigarettes or any other type of smoking device, or for smokeless tobacco or any other type of tobacco product.

MLB and the Nationals require that all people entering Nationals Park walk through a metal detector or be screened with handheld metal detectors to search for prohibited items. This includes a thorough inspection of all jackets, coats, packages, bags, purses, and any other containers brought to any of the Nationals Park entry gates.