What do you think of baseball? It is so much more than just a game, right? It’s a battleground for pride, pettiness, and playoff hopes. Few matchups prove this better than the long-simmering feud between Philadelphia and Washington. One side clings to its blue-collar bravado, the other to a newfound championship swagger. Phillies and Nationals fans don’t just dislike each other—they practically thrive on mutual disdain.

With the opening day just hours away, the MLB is hotter than ever. And one game is catching a lot of attention! The Philadelphia Phillies against the Washington Nationals. While this rivalry is about to write its next chapter, let us look at what led to this.

It all started during the 1970s when the Nationals were not known as the Nationals but as the Montreal Expos. At that time, the duel wasn’t that strong as both teams struggled to put a good number of wins on the board. But during the 1979 season, the Expos swept the Phillies, which led them to a losing streak. And with that, the Expos went on a 10-game winning streak, helping them finish 2nd in the division while the Phillies finished 4th.

The Phillies did manage to turn it around in 1980. They beat the Expos in Montreal to clinch the division. The 1981 season got even better when both teams made it to the divisional round. This series went down to the last game, where the Expos were able to shout out the Phillies and take the division. Amidst all this rivalry drama, the Expos decided to shift to Washington and were renamed as the Washington Nationals.

This rivalry peaked in the 2010s when many iconic moments came about. Moments like the “Take Back the Park” Campaign in 2012 and Bryce Harper joining the Phillies put this rivalry on a different stage. During the Phillies’ introductory press conference, Harper said, “We want to bring a title back to D.C.” This caused a huge stir in emotions. And later, it seemed like a strong manifestation because the Nationals actually went on to win the World Series in 2019, the year he left.

If you consider just the last couple of years, the Phillies easily have the upper hand. This comes as a result of them winning the 2024 National League East title with a 95-67 record. While the Phillies were winning, the Nationals were crawling to the finish line with a record of 71-91. The 91-loss season meant that this was their 4th consecutive 90+ loss season.

So, as the Phillies soar and the Nationals sputter, the rivalry isn’t what it used to be—at least for now. And with such ingrained and deep-rooted rivalry, fans need to be loyal to their own teams, right?

And well, baseball has a way of flipping the script when you least expect it. Maybe Washington is just one grudge-fueled resurgence away from making Philly sweat again. Until then, Nationals fans might want to “Take Back the Wins” before they worry about taking back the park.

Phillies rally brings smiles as young fan prepares for inspirational first pitch

Baseball connects to the heart. And only a few teams know how to rally a crowd like the Philadelphia Phillies. Whether it’s crushing fastballs or lifting spirits, they do it all. But this time, it’s not the players taking the center stage—it’s a 10-year-old fighter who’s about to throw the pitch of his life.

When teams act like this, it shows how connected they are to their fans and community. No wonder, fans are driven to maintain the rivalry.

While other MLB teams invite celebrities and other big personalities, the Phillies have decided to bring in a 10-year-old boy for the first pitch before their home opener against the Colorado Rockies. “I’m nervous and excited,” Briar Jones exclaimed his feelings. It is definitely going to be a lifetime experience for Jones, especially after surviving a dreadful accident in 2024, breaking a leg, a collarbone, having ripped skin from his legs, and multiple punctures.

“Him going from all busted up, not sure what was going to happen, to now he’s going to be throwing out the first pitch. It’s a pretty exciting deal,” shared Briar’s father, Mike Jones.

Former Phillies star and coach Milt Thompson said, “It’s really cool to see the kids and smiles on their faces, and when that big green guy shows up, everything is wonderful.” This was possible because the Phillies and their mascot, Phillie Phanatic, made an appearance in a children’s hospital to hype them for the new season. Because when the Phillies show up, they don’t just bring bats and gloves—they bring joy.

From home runs to hospital visits, they know how to make a moment count. And on opening day, as Briar Jones stands on the mound, one thing is certain: This first pitch will mean more than any fastball ever could.