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The series begins a seven-game homestand, with three games against Miami followed by four versus Atlanta, part of a stretch in which Bryce Harper & Co. begin the season with 16 games against NL East opponents. The last time Papelbon pitched at Nationals Park in a game that counted, on Sept. 27, he was involved in his infamous dugout dustup with teammate Harper, grabbing last season's eventual unanimous NL MVP by the throat. The kerfuffle, a day after the club was eliminated from playoff contention, led to plenty of speculation about whether Papelbon - acquired from Philadelphia in a July trade - would be back with the Nationals in 2016. Continue to Article

April 07, 2016 12:01:am EST

Jake Peavy is to start the San Francisco Giants' home opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Peavy is 14-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 29 starts against Los Angeles. Minnesota Twins right-hander Phil Hughes makes his 21st start against Baltimore on Thursday night. Continue to Article

April 06, 2016 10:54:pm EST

Bill Maher is a lot of things. He's a comedian, a writer, a producer, a political commentator and a television host. Some would even say he's controversial, which is par for the course for many of his job's descriptions. One thing he isn't though is a fan of Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper. That much was made clear during a radio appearance on WOR 710 in New York on Wednesday.  [ Sign up for Fantasy Baseball | Play for $40K | Expert rankings | Mock draft ] While speaking to host Pete McCarthy, Maher specifically noted that he didn't appreciate the "make baseball fun again" hat that Harper sported following the season opener. Bryce Harper wearing a "Make Baseball Fun Again" hat. Love it, so much. pic.twitter.com/zESqRjO0qN — Mr. Schäfer (@misterschafer) April 5, 2016 Maher saw that as a clear play off of Donald Trump's campaign slogan, which further cemented a personal dislike that has been festering for years.  There are a couple words that I really can't say on public radio that I think apply to him. But next to those words in the dictionary I see a picture of Bryce Harper. I really do. I just don't like that guy at all -- so it's not surprising to me that he's flirting with Donald Trump's candidacy. When asked to elaborate about his dislike for Harper, Maher went right for the easiest target possible: Bryce Harper's hair.  I think it's a lot about the hair gel. He just looks like a certain product that Massengill makes. After some prodding from McCarthy, Maher spelled it all out. He's a d-bag. He looks like a d-bag. Maher, who's a longtime New York Mets fan and a current minority owner of the team, didn't mince any words. Bryce Harper clearly rubs him the wrong way, though he was also quick to admit that if push came to shove, he would welcome Harper to his beloved team.  Well, of course if he was a Met I'd love him. I could learn to love Bryce Harper. In a few more years I think Bryce Harper will mature. He's young — look, when you're that young, you're gonna be a d***. There are villains. There's just something about him that is very arrogant. Of course, that's important when you're facing a 100 mph fastball, you have to have that. But some guys -- the confidence, which is the element we're seeking, tips over into an unattractive quality. Harper has always been a polarizing figure throughout his career. That reached another level recently when Harper called baseball a tired game and begged his peers to bring more personality and fun to the game. Some in and out of the game have applauded Harper's attitude, while others have tried to downplay him as a face of baseball. It's a debate that seems to be reaching far beyond baseball now too. And it's one that will surely keep Harper foremost in our minds every time there's an outburst of emotion that creates a stir.  More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: - - - - - - - Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813 Continue to Article

April 06, 2016 8:42:pm EST