Nats Chat

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire

A Washington Nationals podcast offering recap and analysis after every game, plus all the breaking news throughout the year. Hosted by Mark Zuckerman of natsjournal.com & Al Galdi, host of "The Al Galdi Podcast". For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tim Shovers at natschatpodcast@gmail.com.

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979 episodes
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Episodes979

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Aug 8, 2025 · 35 min
Wood's Slide Continues in Shutout Defeat
The Nats were blanked 6-0 on Thursday afternoon by the Athletics to end a dismal 1-5 homestand. Al & Tim convene to marvel at how bad Washington has been in day games this year; a starling 14-34 thus far. (06:30) James Wood struck out twice and went 0 for 4 in the loss. Wood only gathered two hits all homestand and his OPS this season has dipped to .832. (14:05) Mitchell Parker gave up four runs in just five innings of work. Parker's ERA is an alarming 5.43 and his 1.48 WHIP is the worst i
Aug 7, 2025 · 32 min
Cavalli Impresses in Walk-off Win
The Nats got a much needed feel-good win on Wednesday to snap their six game skid. Al & Mark gather after the 2-1 walk-off victory over the Athletics where Cade Cavalli took the Navy Yard mound for the first time in almost three years. Cavalli did not allow a run in just over four innings of work where he had six strikeouts. (11:00) Jose A. Ferrer pitched the top of the 9th and after the game Miguel Cairo declared him the closer for the rest of the season. (16:15) CJ Abrams committed a throwi
Aug 6, 2025 · 29 min
Gore Clobbered in 6th Straight Loss
The Nats were crushed by the visiting Athletics 16-7 on Tuesday night for their 6th consecutive defeat. Mark & Al run through all the awful totals as the Nationals were routed by the last place team in the AL West. (03:20) MacKenzie Gore had a nightmarish start that only lasted three innings. Gore immediately fell behind 5-0 in the top of 1st and ended up giving up eight runs. Gore's ERA is now 4.29 and he did not record any strikeouts in the outings. The lefty's ERA was at 2.89 back on Jun
Aug 4, 2025 · 32 min
Stomped & Swept
The Nats were clobbered by the Brewers 14-3 on Sunday afternoon for their 5th straight loss. Mark & Al point out that Milwaukee is an organization worth emulating as they continue to win every year despite not having a high payroll. (09:00) What is the bigger need for the organization? Pitch depth or offensive firepower? (13:30) James Wood's summer swoon continued as he went 0 for 3 w/ 2 Ks while in the DH spot. Wood's slugging percentage has now dipped below .500 for the season. (16:05) Bra
Aug 3, 2025 · 35 min
Hassell Homers in Loss to Milwaukee
The Nats lost 8-2 to the visiting Brewers for their fourth consecutive defeat. Al & Tim dig into another rough start for Jake Irvin where he allowed five runs in four innings. Irvin immediately allowed three runs; continuing his recent trend of not pitching well in the top of the 1st. (08:30) Shinnosuke Ogasawara tossed three scorless innings before giving up a pair of runs in the top of the 8th. It is unclear if the lefty will stay in the bullpen or move into the starting rotation. (11:45)
Aug 2, 2025 · 34 min
Embarassed by the Brewers
The day after the Trade Deadline did not go well for the Nats in their 16-9 loss vs. visiting Milwaukee. Mark & Al discuss the rough start to August as Washington gave up a franchise most 25 hits on Friday against the Brewers. (5:30) Mitchell Parker was hammered in allowing eight runs off of 12 hits. Parker's ERA has now moved up to 5.35 in what is increasingly becoming a rough year for the lefty. (16:45) Shinnosuke Ogasawara was called up on Friday and is currently part of the bullpen. Wi
Aug 1, 2025 · 32 min
TRADE DEADLINE SPECIAL: Gore Remains Among Other Moves
The Nats made a few more trades in the closing hours of the MLB Trade Deadline on Thursday. Mark & Al convene after the Nationals made five trades in total and three in the final 24 hours. They in total shipped away six players and five of them were on expiring contracts (all but Alex Call). (04:45) MacKenzie Gore was not traded away and will remain with the Nationals. Did Mike DeBartolo have full authority to deal away the lefty from ownership? (08:00) Michael Soroka was dealt to the Cubs
Jul 31, 2025 · 33 min
Gore Flops & A Pair of Relievers Dealt Away
The Nats were crushed 9-1 by the Astros on Wednesday afternoon to end their road trip at 3-3. Mark (From Houston) & Al start with the trade that was made prior to the game which sent relievers Andrew Chafin & Luis Garcia to the Angels. Washington in return received a pair of prospects in 1B Sam Brown and LHP Jake Eder. (06:00) A discussion about the crowded outfield entering the final hours of the MLB Trade Deadline. As Dylan Crews is expected to return in August, could Jacob Young or Alex C
Jul 30, 2025 · 29 min
Short Outing for Soroka Prior to Loss
The Nationals three game win streak was snapped in Tuesday night's 7-4 loss at the Astros. Mark (From Houston) & Al open with Michael Soroka's likely final outing in a Washington uniform. Soroka allowed a pair of runs in under four innings of work as many expect him to be moved ahead of Thursday's deadline. (12:00) Stunningly, yet again there was a runner's interference call along the 1B line during a Nats/Astros game in Houston. This came during Andry Lara's brief but rough relief outing as
Jul 29, 2025 · 30 min
Adams Homers in 3rd Straight Win but Travis Sykora Needs Surgery
The Nats won their third straight on Monday, but pregame were dealt tough organizational news. Mark (From Houston) & Al begin with injury news as the Nationals highest rated pitching prospect Travis Sykora is likely out for 2026 due to Tommy John Surgery. Sykora was promoted to Harrisburg last month and only made a pair of starts in AA before getting hurt. (13:30) Brad Lord had a solid start in Washington 2-1 victory on Monday night. Lord only need 59 pitches to toss just over five innings o
Jul 28, 2025 · 32 min
Irvin Shines in his Hometown Return
The Nats took their second straight series after winning Sunday's rubber match in Minnesota. Mark (From Target Field) & Al examine the Nationals 7-2 victory that saw Bloomington, MN native Jake Irvin impress on the mound in seven innings of work. (08:00) Konnor Pilkington & Kyle Finnegan each tossed scoreless frames to preserve the big lead. Pilkington has already been on the mound four times since getting called up from AAA earlier this week. (12:45) CJ Abrams homered on the first pitch o
Jul 27, 2025 · 23 min
Rosario Traded After Win in Minnesota
The Nats dealt Amed Rosario to the Yankees shortly after beating the Twins 9-3 on Saturday night. Mark (From Minneapolis) & Al begin with the Nationals first trade this month as it could be a busy few days until Thursday's deadline. New York sent back RHP Clayton Better & OFer Browm Martinez. (08:00) The offense woke up against a very good pitcher in the Twins' Joe Ryan. They scored nine runs off of 12 hits and hit a pair of homers in the process (Garcia Jr. & Call). (11:15) Jacob Young le
Jul 26, 2025 · 32 min
Shutout Again
The Nats were shutout for a second straight game in Friday night's 1-0 loss in Minnesota. Mark (From Target Field) & Al examine how the offense has already been blanked nine times this season. It is a particularly head scratching stat because they have scored double digits in ten of their victories this year. (07:00) Is Darnell Coles (Hitting Coach) back on the hot seat even after a managerial change? (10:05) MacKenzie Gore only allowed one run, but did walk six Twins in just five innings p
Jul 23, 2025 · 25 min
Shutout Instead of Sweeping
The Nats were blanked 5-0 on Wednesday afternoon by the visiting Reds. Al & Tim discuss Nick Lodolo's complete game shutout, the 3rd time the Nationals have allowed a starter to go the distance against them this season. (09:00) Jacob Young made an incredible catch above the wall to rob a homer in the top of the 8th. It will definitely be on the short list for best catches this MLB season. (14:45) Michael Soroka had a solid outing, but did hit three Cincinnati batters. This could have been h
Jul 23, 2025 · 29 min
Bell Homers as Lord & the 'Pen Step Up
The Nats beat the Reds 6-1 on Tuesday night in D.C. for their 2nd consecutive win. Mark & Al note that the Nationals are now a game away from their first series sweep since mid-May in Baltimore. (04:10) Josh Bell crushed his 13th homer of the season as he continues his hot month. Bell is widely expected to be traded by next week and his surge is well timed for the organization. (07:30) Riley Adams continued to play well while Keibert Ruiz is on the IL. Adams had a 2-run single and also a th
Jul 22, 2025 · 30 min
Nats Hold Off the Reds
The Nats jumped out to a big lead and did just enough to preserve a 10-8 victory over the Reds. Al & Mark recap the home win that saw James Wood reach base four times. Wood had a single, double, two walks, and a pair of runs scored. (06:00) Josh Bell doubled and homered as his OPS in July is up to .968. Bell's OPS this season of .695 is now higher than both Luis Garcia Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe. Will Bell get dealt by the deadline? (12:10) Daylen Lile knocked in three runs on a triple to put
Jul 21, 2025 · 27 min
Gore Gets Shelled by the Padres
The Nats were pounded 8-1 by the Padres on Sunday afternoon to drop the rubber match. Al & Mark convene after MacKenzie Gore got roughed up in his first start after the All-Star Game. Gore immediately gave up a 1st inning Grand Slam to Xander Bogaerts and then was pulled in the top of the 3rd. (10:30) James Wood singled to end an 0 for 20 stretch. Wood has struck out in 40% of his at bats this month and had 5 Ks over the weekend series. (16:30) Nick Pivetta dominated the Washington offense
Jul 20, 2025 · 38 min
Lowe Homers in Win After Willits Gets Introduced
The Nats topped the Padres 4-2 on a busy Saturday in Navy Yard. Mark & Al begin with Mitchell Parker's victorious effort after six innings of work. Parker only needed 82 pitches to reach that point and his biggest moment of the night came when striking out Manny Machado in thev bottom of the 5th with the bases loaded. (11:00) Jacob Young slammed into the wall while in CF in the top of the 3rd, but remained in the game. Young was unable to pull off the catch and San Diego cut the Nationals lea
Jul 19, 2025 · 37 min
Finnegan Gives up 5 Runs in Loss
The Nats opened the 2nd half much with a 7-2 loss to the Padres after Kyle Finnegan made a mess of a tied game. Mark & Al recap the closer falling apart in the top of the 9th while other teams keep a close eye on the right hander ahead of the Trade Deadline. Finnegan only recorded one out while giving up a grand slam to Manny Machado and his ERA is now up to 4.37. (14:30) C.J. Abrams 2-run homer tied the game in the bottom of the 8th, but the Nats ran themselves out of a chance to the take l
Jul 14, 2025 · 40 min
Nats Surprise Many by Picking Eli Willits #1
The Nats drafted Eli Willits, a high school shortstop out of Oklahoma, with the number #1 overall pick in Sunday night's MLB Draft. Mark & Al react to the selection that surprised most prognosticators. Ethan Holliday, the other highly touted high schooler from Oklahoma, was picked by Colorado at #4 overall. (08:30) Willits is just 17 years old and has stated that he would like to be in the Big Leagues by when he turns 20. Willits had an eye opening OPS of 1.514 this past high school season.