Washington Nationals vs Boston Red Sox: Naval Academy Classic GameThread...

This afternoon in Annapolis, Maryland, the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox wrap up their respective Spring schedules when the two teams meet in what’s being called the Navy Academy Classic.

The exhibition game, scheduled to start at 2:00 PM EDT, is being played in Max Bishop Stadium home to the Navy Midshipmen’s baseball team. Since tickets were not made available to the general public, you can follow along on MASN and 106.7 the FAN.

“We wanted to do something to celebrate our military,” Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo said Thursday, when he joined the Red Sox’ radio team on WEEI during the final Grapefruit League game.

“It’s a very quaint, very tiny, small, like 800-seat ballpark that we kind of spruced up a little bit and we’re really excited about playing over there,” Rizzo said.

Stephen Strasburg, who will start on Opening Day in D.C. on Monday, told reporters in a press conference on Friday afternoon that he was looking forward to visiting the Naval Academy.

“I really have never gone out there,” Strasburg said.

“I’m excited to see what it’s all about. I know there’s going to be a lot of Midshipmen there, so get a chance to meet some of them and talk baseball with them.

“Growing up in San Diego and stuff, I come from a military family,” he added.

“You can really respect and appreciate the sacrifices that they make, and I wouldn’t be playing this game if it wasn’t for them.”

While Strasburg will just be traveling with the team, Max Scherzer is going to start for the Nationals as he continues to prepare for the 2017 campaign after he was set back by a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger.

Through two starts this Spring, the 32-year-old, 2016 NL Cy Young award winner has given up seven hits, four walks and two runs, both earned, striking out 11 batters and holding opposing hitters to a .219 AVG in 9 ²⁄₃ innings pitched.

Scherzer makes his third start this afternoon, in the Naval Academy Classic.

Here’s the lineup that will take the field against the Red Sox:

NOTE: Today’s game is available on MASN and 106.7 the FAN in D.C. at 2:00 PM EDT. As those commercials have been telling us all week, that’s the only way to watch it.