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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July 8 · 40 min
Wood Hits 25th Homer in Defeat
The Nats fell 6-3 on Tuesday night to the visiting Astros. Al & Mark gather after Washington's 9th inning rally came up short with the bases loaded and Dylan Crews facing Josh Hader. Crews stuck out in a pinch-hit appearance as he stepped in for Keibert Ruiz. (07:00) Nasim Nuñez was caught sealing for just the 4th time on the season, but it came in an inopportune spot to conclude the bottom of the 8th. (14:00) James Wood led off with a homer for the 8th time this season. Wood has the 2nd O
July 7 · 34 min
Nats Outslug Houston 12-11
The Nats rallied for a hectic 12-11 victory over visiting Houston on Monday evening. Mark & Al dive into the comeback effort where Washington trailed by five runs in the bottom of the 3rd; yet were ahead by the bottom of the 5th after scoring eleven unanswered runs. (05:30) The Nats hit three homers in the victory. CJ Abrams' 3-run HR in the bottom of the 3rd tied the game and was part of a five run frame. Abrams has 19 homers so far on the season. (07:30) Curtis Mead's solo shot put Washin
July 6 · 32 min
Hassell DFA'd Prior to Pittsburgh Loss
The Nats were beaten 11-5 by the Pirates on Sunday afternoon in the series rubber match. Al & Mark begin with Cade Cavalli's very brief outing on a very hot day in D.C. Cavalli was dealing with dehydration and dizziness while getting removed in the top of the 3rd. Pittsburgh scored four runs off of Cavalli via six hits. (10:15) Eddie Yean pitched well in his MLB debut after taking over for Cavalli. Yean stuck out three Pirates during the stretch of the game where the Nationals battled back
July 4 · 39 min
Routed but Wood & Abrams are All-Stars
The Nats were trounced by the Pirates 7-1 on July 4th in Washington D.C. Al & Mark dig into the defeat where the local holiday tradition continued of beginning the game at 11:05AM. (04:30) Cade Cavalli & Miles Mikolas will flip their spots in the rotation as they await for their suspension appeals to be heard. Cavalli originally was gong to the take the mound on Monday night, but now will pitch in Sunday's rubber match vs. Pittsburgh. (10:00) James Wood hit another lead-off homer; his 23rd o
July 4 · 49 min
Garcia Jr. & Lile Each Homer Twice in Win
The Nats launched their own fireworks in Friday night's 9-5 win over visiting Pittsburgh. Mark & Al discuss the Nationals five homer effort in the victory that puts the team at three games above .500 entering July 4th. (05:30) Luis Garcia Jr. homered twice to continue his torrid summer. Garcia is now up to 18 homers this season and he has hit 13 of them within the past month. (10:30) Daylen Lile also went deep twice on Friday evening. Lile has now lifted his OPS to .730 on the season. (12
July 2 · 4 min
CAVALLI & MIKOLAS SUSPENDED
Major League Baseball suspended four players in relation to Tuesday night's benches clearing at Fenway Park. Tim provides a quick update to the situation as the Nats next take the field on Friday night vs. Pittsburgh.
July 2 · 39 min
Nats Homer Thrice in Fenway Rout
The Nats took the series in Boston with a 10-2 thrashing of the Red Sox on Wednesday afternoon. Mark (From Fenway Park) & Al dig into the victory that puts Washington at two games over .500 entering the upcoming homestand. (05:30) The offense scored double digits despite CJ Abrams getting the day off. Washington jumped out early on Boston starter Payton Tolle, who ended up being charged with six runs allowed. (07:00) James Wood homered for the 22nd time to make it 10-0 in the top of the 7th.
July 1 · 41 min
Cavalli Dominates but Empties the Benches
The Nats beat the Red Sox 8-1 on Tuesday night in a game that will be best be remembered for a bench clearing brawl. Mark (From Fenway Park) & Al hold an extended discussion about what happened in the bottom of the 4th in Boston. Cade Cavalli struck out Willson Contreras and then after some verbal exchanges, both teams ran onto the field. Contreras was ejected, but not Cavalli. (05:30) Cavalli was every bit the Ace in the win as he struck out 13 Red Sox hitters and lasted seven innings. He w
June 30 · 35 min
Wood Homers in Boston Loss
The Nats lost 6-3 on Monday night to the streaking Red Sox. Mark (From Fenway Park) & Al discuss the team getting a tour inside the Green Monster during the afternoon. Nats Chat also has now broadcasted in every MLB Ballpark since we launched in 2021. (05:30) James Wood led the game off with his 21st homer of the season. Wood has the 3rd most home runs in the NL; trailing only Kyle Schwarber & Hunter Goodman. (08:45) Boston's winning pitcher was Ranger Suarez, who is performing well after si
June 29 · 34 min
Scorching Hot Garcia Jr. Homers Twice in Win
The Nats topped the Orioles 6-4 on Sunday afternoon to bounce back and win the weekend series. Mark (From Camden Yards) & Al throw all the flowers to Luis Garcia Jr., who has been red-hot lately. Garcia went deep twice, roped a 2-run double, and collected 5 RBIs in the victory. Washington is now back above .500 after winning both Saturday & Sunday. (05:00) Garcia Jr. stunningly has homered six times in the last six days. He has hit 10 home runs this month and his OPS in June is an astronomic
June 28 · 27 min
Extra-Inning Win to Snap the Skid
The Nats ended their four game losing streak with a 4-3 win on Saturday night in ten innings. Al recaps the Camden Yards victory over the Orioles that returns the Nationals to .500 in the standings. (04:30) Foster Griffin was fantastic as he only gave up one unearned run in seven innings of work. Griffin lasted 112 pitches and struck out nine Orioles in his outing. The lefty's ERA is at 2.93 and he is firmly in All-Star Game consideration. (07:30) The bullpen followed its recent routine of
June 27 · 27 min
4th Straight Loss
The Nats lost 3-1 on Friday night in Baltimore for their 4th consecutive loss. Mark (From Camden Yards) & Al recap the defeat that dropped the Nationals to below the .500 mark through 83 games played. (05:20) James Wood threw out a runner at 3rd base and made another highlight worthy catch. Wood is currently slumping, but he did double on Friday evening. This leads to a discussion on the improved team outfield defense this season. (11:40) Blake Butera has shown that he is willing to sacrif
June 26 · 39 min
Bullpen Evaporates the 5-Run Lead
The bullpen woes continued on Thursday night as an an early Nationals lead resulted in a 10-5 Phillies victory. Mark & Al convene after the 3rd straight loss that saw a reliever implode in the top of the 9th every step of the way. Washington is back to .500 through 82 games played this season. (04:30) Blake Butera agreed with Mark's assessment that some relievers "pitched scared" while on the mound this week. (07:00) Mitchell Parker gave up three runs while only recording one out. Parker's
June 25 · 34 min
Bullpen Blows Another Lead
The Nats suffered another gut punch loss from the Phillies despite being an out away from victory. Al & Mark convene after the Nationals 5-4 loss on Wednesday night puts them at 41-40 overall. Derek Hill hit a 2-run shot off of Richard Lovelady in the top of the 9th to flip the lead. (04:30) What are Paul Toboni's options (if any) in order to improve this bullpen? (06:30) PJ Poulin did his job as he retired all four batters faced. (12:00) Should Orlando Ribalta have intentionally walked Kyl
June 24 · 36 min
Phillies Give Lord a 9th Inning Nightmare
The Nats were an out away from a pivotal win over the Phillies but instead it all fell apart in the 9th. Mark & Al gather after the stunning 14-9 loss that saw Philadelphia score eight runs in the top of the 9th. Brad Lord struck out out the first two hitters of the frame, but then ten straight Phillies reached base. (07:15) The staff needed eight pitchers to get through Tuesday night's game. Richard Lovelady began the top of the 8th but was ultimately charged with three runs after inheriting
June 23 · 35 min
Griffin Stymies the Phils
The Nats beat the Phillies 4-1 on Monday night and have guaranteed themselves a winning record at the upcoming midway point of the season. Mark & Al examine the victory that saw a pair of homers from the potent offense. Washington is currently 1.5 games back of Philadelphia for the 2nd wildcard spot. (04:30) Luis Garcia Jr.'s solo homer put Washington ahead 2-1 in the 2nd. Curtis Mead later on hit a 2-run shot to give the Nats some breathing room. (14:00) Dylan Crews began the scoring with a
June 22 · 34 min
Rays Rally Past Ribalta in the 7th
The Nats lost a rare series as they came up short on Sunday with a 4-3 defeat at the Rays. Mark & Al begin with Daylen Lile getting caught stealing and how it put a dent in the 9th inning comeback effort. (07:00) CJ Abrams homered every game this series and he now has the 3rd most RBI in all of MLB. (11:00) A check in on the defense through the 1st Half of the season. (16:45) Dylan Crews had a RBI double on Sunday and the extra base hits continue to pile up. (19:45) Nasim Nuñez's OPS is
June 21 · 32 min
Abrams & Crews Homer in Tampa Win
The Nats outlasted Tampa Bay 4-3 on Saturday afternoon in Florida. Al & Tim dig into the team's 40th victory of the season and go over all the elements of adversity that Washington thwarted on their way to a win. (05:00) Jacob Young exited early after slamming into the wall during a crucial catch in the bottom of the 8th. Young not only made an incredible grab, but also had the presence of mind to toss the ball to his teammate while writhing in pain on the warning track. (10:35) Young leav
June 20 · 30 min
Loss in the Trop
The Nats fell 5-2 at the Rays on Friday night. Al & Tim discuss Cade Cavalli being a late scratch for the affair due to food poisoning and how he was replaced by Miles Mikolas. Blake Butera after the game said Cavalli should be able to take the mound on Saturday afternoon. (05:30) PJ Poulin served as the Opener and Mikolas took over in the bottom of the 3rd. Mikolas gave up all five Tampa Bay runs, but his six innings of work kept the bullpen fresh going into the weekend. (11:30) The offens
June 18 · 31 min
Littell Gives up 4 Royals Homers in Defeat
The Nats yet again were unable to complete a sweep for the 6th consecutive opportunity. Mark & Al dive into Wednesday's 6-4 loss at the hands of the visiting Royals that snapped the four game win streak. (07:00) Analysis of Dylan Crews' slide into 2nd base in the 6th and the ensuing review to see whether or not he was out. (12:00) Zack Littell was hit hard as he allowed four homers off of seven hits in five innings of work. Littell already has given up twenty homers; which tied for the most