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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980 episodes
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Episodes980

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Apr 15, 2025 · 33 min
Bullpen Gets Rocked in Pittsburgh
The Nats dropped their third game in a row as they were routed 10-3 on Monday night in Pittsburgh. Mark (Live from PNC Park) and Al run through the woeful bullpen totals, which is becoming a theme to the season. Colin Poche was the first pitcher to emerge from the 'pen, but allowed a pair of runs to lift his ERA to an eye-popping 16.62. Jackson Rutledge & Eduardo Salazar then later combined to give up five runs. It should be noted that the bullpen received zero help from the defense behind them.
Apr 14, 2025 · 18 min
Marlins Take the Series Rubber Match
The Nats were routed 11-4 on Sunday afternoon in Miami for their 2nd straight defeat and it was their largest margin of loss so far this season. Al begins with MacKenzie Gore, who's pitching line saw four runs scored off of eight hits in six innings of work. Gore threw 105 pitches, another example of the lefty's pitch inefficiency. (05:40) Jorge Lopez & Lucas Sims combined to surrender seven runs, while only retiring the Marlins. Sims' ERA is up to 12.79 so far this season; he was a reliever t
Apr 13, 2025 · 23 min
Abrams to the IL Before Loss in South Florida
The Nats did not have effective pitching in their 7-6 loss on Saturday afternoon in Miami. Al recaps the not so pretty totals for Trevor Williams, who allowed six runs off of eight hits, before getting pulled in the bottom of the 5th. Williams so far on the season is sporting a 7.36 ERA. (06:00) The bullpen did not allow a run on Friday night for the first time all season, but that luck did not carry over into Saturday. Colin Poche allowed. Marlins run across, but the trio of relievers that f
Apr 12, 2025 · 33 min
Lowe's Go-Ahead Pinch-Hit Double Lifts the Nats in Miami
The Nats trailed 4-0, but stormed back for a 7-4 victory on Friday night in Miami. Mark & Al have plenty of offensive highlights to address, but begin with an update on CJ Abrams, who exited the game early due to a hip flexor strain. (07:00) The Nats had more extra base hits than they did singles in the win. The most pivotal one was Nathaniel Lowe's pinch-hit 3 run double that gave Washington a 5-4 lead in the 8th. Lowe was a late scratch from the starting lineup due to illness and later perse
Apr 10, 2025 · 31 min
Dodgers Snap the Win Streak at 4
The Nats fell behind right away and lost to the Dodgers 6-5 on Wednesday afternoon to halt the win streak. Mark & Al begin with Jake Irvin, who had one of odder outings you will ever see. Irvin gave up four runs to the first four batters up, but then retired 18 of the final 21 Dodgers he faced. (12:00) The bullpen unfortunately continued their stretch of giving up a run every game this season. Eduardo Salazar took over for Irvin, but gave up a pair of runs in the 7th to give the Los Angeles
Apr 9, 2025 · 29 min
Wood Homers Twice in 4th Straight Win
The Nats won their 4th straight on Tuesday night as they routed the Dodgers 8-2. James Wood stole the show as he went deep twice and knocked in five runs while serving as the DH. Wood has homered three times in two games after entering series with just one homer. (09:45) Keibert Ruiz had a pair of hits while slotted at 3rd in the lineup. Ruiz has at least one hit in nine out of the ten games in which he has played in so far this year. (11:15) Dylan Crews also had two hits and has five of th
Apr 8, 2025 · 37 min
Finnegan Notches the Save for the 3rd Straight Day
The Nats have now won three in a row after defeating the defending World Series champion Dodgers 6-4 on Monday night in Navy Yard. Mark & Al discuss MacKenzie Gore's solid outing where he only allowed a pair of runs in six innings of work. Those two LA runs came off of a Shohei Ohtani 2-run HR, part of his evening where he was a double shy from the cycle. (10:00) Kyle Finnegan not only got the save, but took care of the final five outs. He has recorded the final out in three consecutive days
Apr 7, 2025 · 22 min
Nats Beat Burnes to Take the Series
The Nats won the series rubber match 5-4 on Sunday afternoon against the Diamondbacks. Al credits Washington's offense for getting to Arizona ace Corbin Burnes, who only lasted five innings. The bats came out early as they put up four runs in the opening three innings. (06:00) Paul DeJong had a pair of hits and drove in as many runs. DeJong was slotted 8th in the order and is hitting .240 so far in the young season. (08:45) Dylan Crews hit right behind DeJong and also had two hits on Sunday.
Apr 6, 2025 · 33 min
Nats Hold Off Arizona
The Nats halted their four game skid with a 4-3 victory on Saturday afternoon over Arizona. Al & Mark have plenty of praise for Mitchell Parker, who has started both games that the Nationals have won this season. Parker cleanly fielded a tough comebacker at the end of his outing, notable because of how poorly he fielded his position last season. (10:00) The bullpen was handed a three run lead with three innings to go and did just enough to prevail. Kyle Finnegan recorded his 2nd save of the
Apr 5, 2025 · 37 min
Another Nats Loss Despite 3 Homers
The Nats slow start continued in a 6-4 loss on Friday night against visiting Arizona despite scoring three runs in the bottom of the 1st. Mark & Al open the episode by breaking down Jake Irvin's start that only lasted five frames. Irvin allowed seven hits and four runs on just 86 pitches while being unable to early hold onto the early lead. (10:30) Jose A. Ferrar gave up a pair of runs in the top of the 7th to give the Arizona lead for good. Ferrar has really struggled so far as he ceded multi
Apr 3, 2025 · 43 min
Swept in Canada
The Nats were swept in Toronto and dropped the finale 4-2 on Wednesday afternoon. Mark & Al start with the top of the 9th where a late Nationals rally was stymied by pinch- runner Jacob Young getting thrown out trying to steal 2nd base. (11:20) Dylan Crews hit 9th on Wednesday and Amed Rosario was slotted 2nd. Crews continued his awful offensive start to the season as he is now 0 for 18. However, Crews made multiple excellent defensive plays in CF, showing that he can hang in there when not
Apr 2, 2025 · 34 min
Williams Allows 10 Hits in Toronto Loss
The Nats fell 5-3 in Toronto on Tuesday night to drop to 1-4 on the season. Mark (Live from Canada) & Al begin with the bad pitching luck for starter Trevor Williams & flame throwing reliever Jose A. Ferrer. They both were victims to instances such as infield hits and defensive miscues behind them. Hear what franchise record Williams is quietly threatening Max Scherzer for. (17:45) The Nats offense had another subpar night in scoring just three runs. Dylan Crews, who has been struggling at
Apr 1, 2025 · 38 min
Soroka Departs Early in Defeat + AAA Update
The Nats lost their first road game of the season 5-2 in Toronto. Michael Soroka struggled in his franchise debut and ended on a sour note as he departed early due to an injury. The prognosis afterwards was not serious and has been classified as a right biceps cramp. (10:50) If the news on Soroka ends up being worse than initially expected, who takes his spot in the rotation? There is no easy and immediate answer to this one. (16:40) The only source of offense for Washington came off back t
Mar 31, 2025 · 32 min
Parker & a Pair of HRs Power the Win
The Nats earned their first victory of the season on Sunday as they defeated the Phillies 5-1. Mark & Al have plenty of positives to run through and begin with Mitchell Parker, who continued the good starting pitching to begin the Washington season. Parker pitched into the 7th and didnt allow any runs. (10:00) The two Nationals homers on Sunday came from new additions to the lineup in Josh Bell & Nathaniel Lowe. The team combined for six home runs in the opening series. (13:45) Paul DeJong
Mar 30, 2025 · 40 min
Bullpen Gets Clobbered
The Nats were easily beaten by the Phillies 11-6 on Saturday afternoon in Navy Yard. Mark & Al spend plenty of time on the bullpen, which has performed poorly in both games so far this season. Jake Irvin departed a tied game after five innings and four relievers combined to give up nine runs following his exit. The 'pen is not only giving up a bunch of runs, but they are issuing a ton of walks along the way. (22:00) Keibert Ruiz homered for the second straight game and briefly put Washington ah
Mar 28, 2025 · 43 min
Gore Strikes Out 13 but Bullpen Falters on Opening Day
The Nats bullpen let them down on their way to a season opening 7-3 loss in extra innings vs. the visiting Phillies. Mark & Al start with a major positive for Washington as MacKenzie Gore set a franchise Opening Day record with 13 strikeouts. Gore was fantastic as he didn't issue any walks and only gave up one hit. (10:30) Keibert Ruiz homered off of Zack Wheeler and threw out a runner trying to steal 2nd base. Davey Martinez mentioned pregame that Ruiz lost weight in the offseason and he was
Mar 21, 2025 · 57 min
2025 Season Preview
The Nationals season begins on Thursday March 27th at 4:05PM vs. the visiting Phillies. Mark & Al get you set for the 21st season of Washington Nationals baseball.
Mar 13, 2025 · 41 min
5th Starter Still Undecided
Spring Training is currently in its "Dog Days" phase as Opening Day in Navy Yard is two weeks away. Al & Mark open with a quick update on CJ Abrams, who exited Wednesday's game early due to cramping in both quads, but is expected in Thursday's lineup.
Mar 6, 2025 · 39 min
Early Look At the Top of the Lineup
March has arrived and Opening Day is just a few weeks away. Mark & Al focus on key parts of the roster in the lead to March 27th vs. the Phillies. Jacob Young is an odd spot in 2025 as even though he came within an eyelash of winning the Gold Glove last season, the crowded outfield depth is making it so that he has to prove himself again that he is worthy of being an everyday CFer. (10:00) Mike Rizzo said this week that this is the deepest pitching staff in organization history and even dou
Mar 4, 2025 · 33 min
EMERGENCY POD: MASN Dispute Suddenly Resolved
The Nats and Orioles stunned the Baseball world on Monday morning by suddenly announcing that the never ending argument over MASN argument has been figured out. The Nationals now finally have autonomy over their broadcast rights and come 2026 they are a free agent on the airwaves. Al & Tim dive into what this means for the future of the franchise, the ownership situation, and what their next options might look like.