While temperatures plummet in the offseason, the Nationals have taken the field in notably cold weather. After six weeks of Spring Training in sunny Florida, the Nats have played 24 games in team history (2005-present) in sub-45 degree start time temperatures. From Minnesota to D.C. to New York and more, here are the 10 coldest Nationals games.
1-3) Nationals at Twins
April 22, 2023
Start time temperature: 35 degrees, wind 12 mph in from left field, cloudy, no precipitation
April 21, 2023
Start time temperature: 37 degrees, wind 9 mph out to center field, cloudy, no precipitation
April 23, 2023
Start time temperature: 40 degrees, wind 10 mph out to center field, cloudy, no precipitation
The three coldest games in Nationals history were played in the same series: an early-season matchup in Minnesota. Washington braved the frigid weather to win the first two games (including a 15-hit team performance on April 22) and take the series, 2-1, at Target Field.
“If we keep playing like this, I hope it’s 20 degrees for, like, the next four months,” manager Dave Martinez said after the April 22 victory.
4) Nationals vs. D-backs
April 7, 2007
Start time temperature: 41 degrees, wind 15 mph from left to right, sunny
After the coldest first pitch at a Nationals home game, Washington lost to Arizona, 7-1, at RFK Stadium. The Nats were stifled by Brandon Webb, who struck out eight in seven innings.
5) Nationals vs. Braves
March 31, 2011
Start time temperature: 41 degrees, wind 4 mph in from right field, overcast
The Nationals were shut out by the Braves, 2-0, in the 2011 season opener at Nationals Park. Two early runs allowed by Liván Hernández decided an otherwise scoreless performance from the Nats' bullpen.
6) Nationals at Mets
April 8, 2011
Start time temperature: 42 degrees, wind 15 mph in from right field
Jordan Zimmermann earned his first win of the season -- and drove in two runs -- to lift the Nationals past the Mets, 6-2, at Citi Field. Zimmermann plated Rick Ankiel and Danny Espinosa with a line-drive RBI single to right field against R.A. Dickey.
7-8) Nationals vs. Mets
April 5, 2018
Start time temperature: 42 degrees, wind 8 mph from left to right, cloudy
Stephen Strasburg allowed four runs in six innings, including homers to Yoenis Céspedes and Michael Conforto, and reliever Brandon Kintzler gave up a grand slam to Jay Bruce in the seventh. The Nationals were fended off by the Mets' scoreless bullpen in an 8-2 loss at Nationals Park.
April 7, 2018
Start time temperature: 42 degrees, wind 11 mph in from left field
Despite a home run by Bryce Harper, Kintzler allowed a pair of two-strike RBIs in the seventh inning, and the Nationals dropped the matinee, 3-2, at home.
9) Nationals at Pirates
April 17, 2022
Start time temperature: 42 degrees, wind 7 mph in from center field, overcast, no precipitation
The Nationals squandered an early three-run lead during a 5-3 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park. Reliever Steve Cishek allowed three runs to six Pittsburgh batters in the seventh inning.
“I know it’s a little cold out there,” Martinez said, “but it’s a little cold out there for everybody.”
10) Nationals at Cubs
April 27, 2010
Start time temperature: 43 degrees, wind 15 mph in from left field, sunny
In cold late-April temps at Wrigley Field, the Nationals claimed a 3-1 victory over the Cubs. Liván Hernández allowed only one run in seven innings, while the Nats scored two runs off Tom Gorzelanny in seven frames.