It's the weekend Washington Nationals fans have been waiting for.
The Nats will host an exhibition game Saturday at 4:05 p.m. Then Monday, it's Opening Day.
The opener starts at 1:05 p.m. You know what they means? Yep. The game will likely end during the evening rush hour. Metro said it will operate extra trains on the Green Line to accommodate the crowds.
Still, the transit service warns you should still expect standing room only on those trains --on Opening Day and throughout the baseball season.
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And because the Navy Yard metro station at Half Street is only a one-block walk to the ballpark, expect more crowds there, too. You'll face smaller crowds if you use the east entrance on New Jersey Avenue. You just have to be willing to stroll a little further to and from the ballpark.
Metro is also taking steps to keep things moving and safe.
After each game, Metro police will monitor the crowds headed home, and when the platform is full of fans waiting for the next train, the crowds will be held at street level until the platform is clear.
In addition, before games, the Half Street entrance will be exit-only so fans will have a clear path to the ballpark. After games, it will be entrance only.
If you want to avoid the "train trauma" altogether, consider Metrobus. The lines that serve Nationals Park: 70, P1, P2, V7, V8 and V9. Don't forget about the D.C. Circulator buses. They'll provide rides on game days between Union Station and the Navy Yard Metrorail Station.
And there's an additional reason the ballpark will likely be packed opening day: President Barack Obama is throwing out the first pitch.
