Craig Albernaz’s bromance shows how different Orioles-Nationals rivalry is these days

New Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz clearly has a fun-based approach to the role of skipper, and that applies to his relationships with other managers. Albernaz is close with Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera, who is also in his first season as a big-league manager.

Their bromance is emblematic of how the "rivalry" between the Orioles and Nationals has never really been that much of a rivalry at all. The two coaches have coached with one another before in their careers, though, so it is cool that they have gotten this opportunity at the same time.

Beltway Series was never that huge of a rivalry as evidenced by new bromance

While there was always a hope that when the Nationals moved to Washington D.C. back in 2005, the two franchises would become rivals given their close geographic proximity, but that has never really materialized.

Ever since the two teams started playing each other less a few years ago under the new balanced schedule in which every MLB team gets at least one series against every team in the league, the rivalry has died even further.

Really, the only way it could turn into a rivalry is in the unlikely event that the two teams met in the World Series. Both teams did win their Opening Day contests, so maybe?

The Orioles certainly have the more realistic chance at making a playoff run this season. They may have finished in last place in the American League East last season, but the team made a lot of big moves in the offseason, like trading for outfielder Taylor Ward and signing slugger Pete Alonso, as well as closer Ryan Helsley.

As for the Nationals, they are in a rebuilding phase. They have exciting young players to build around, like outfielder James Wood and shortstop CJ Abrams, but it is most likely going to be at least a few years until the Nats are true contenders.

Maybe in a few years, the two teams will both be contenders, and the dream of the "Beltway Series" coinciding with the Fall Classic will finally come true. It's fun to think about at least.

That would be pretty special for Albernaz and Butera, two guys who probably couldn't even dream that they would both be managing big league teams back when they were coaching together in the minor leagues. Maybe they would have to dub that one the "Bromance Series" rather than the "Beltway Series."