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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Jul 19, 2023 · 38 min
Game 95: "B" Bullpen Gets Torched + House to AA
The Nats led 3-0, but it was all Cubs form there in a 17-3 blowout on Tuesday night. Mark (Live from Wrigley) & Al run through the gruesome details on the "B" Bullpen as they allowed a combined 14 runs in the 7th & 8th innings. It was a particularly tough night for Our Guy Paolo; who ceded 8 runs in less than an inning of work. Will this end up as the worst Nationals Bullpen in history? (16:00) Before the game got out of hand, Patrick Corbin had a decent start as he pitched into the 6th inning.
Jul 18, 2023 · 40 min
Game 94: Candelario & Ruiz Homer in Wrigley Win
The Nats topped the Cubs 7-5 to begin their three game series at Wrigley Field. Mark (From Chicago) & Al examine Jeimer Candelario's immediate impact in his return to the lineup by homering right away. Candelario had missed action over the weekend due to a bone bruise in his thumb. (07:40) Keibert Ruiz was picked off, but made up for it with a 2 run shot in the 7th for a 7-3 lead. Ruiz played nice defense on Monday night, including some crucial picks on low pitches in the 9th by Kyle Finnegan. (
Jul 17, 2023 · 40 min
Game 93: More Rain and Injuries
The Nats lost the series rubber match on Sunday 8-4 in St. Louis as there was a rain delay for the third consecutive day. Al & Mark (Live from Busch Stadium) begin with the pair of crucial injuries that the team is currently dealing with for closer Hunter Harvey and Jeimer Candelario. Harvey's velocity was down and Saturday and this led to him being scheduled for a MRI back in D.C. Candelario tried pregame to be able to play despite his bone bruise, but instead Ildemaro Vargas played again at 3B
Jul 16, 2023 · 41 min
Games 91 & 92: Split in St. Louis
A long Saturday at Busch Stadium resulted in the Nats winning Game 1 (7-5 extras W) and dropping Game 2 (9-6 L) vs. the Cardinals. Mark (Live from St. Louis) & Al run through the busy start to the series, which has seen plenty of rain delays. Jeimer Candelario did not play in either affair due to his thumb bone bruise and this is a cause for concern due to the looming Trade Deadline (August 1st). (10:15) CJ Abrams had four hits in these two games and has looked comfortable since being moved into
Jul 15, 2023 · 3 min
Rain in St. Louis Suspends Action
The Nats were only able to make it until the bottom of the 3rd on Friday night in St. Louis. Trevor Williams allowed a Solo HR in the bottom of the 1st to stake the Cardinals a 1-0 lead before the tarp was rolled out . Tim gives a quick scene setter of the now busy Saturday that awaits the Nationals in Missouri. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 10, 2023 · 44 min
Superstar LSU Outfielder Dylan Crews The Pick at #2
**SPECIAL DRAFT EDITION** The Nationals picked the highly decorated Dylan Crews with the #2 overall pick in the MLB Draft. Al & Mark analyze the pivotal pick of the star outfielder, who just won a National Championship, hit .426, and took home the Golden Spikes Award. Crews' teammate Paul Skenes was unavailable to Washington; as Pittsburgh selected the pitcher at #1. (15:00) What's next for Crews? What's a realistic timetable until he gets called up to the Big Leagues? (26:20) The Nats beat the
Jul 9, 2023 · 43 min
Game 89: Early HR Barrage Snaps The Skid
The Nats ended their five game losing streak as they jumped out early on Texas pitching for an 8-3 victory. Mark & Al begin with Joey Meneses, who homered for the 3rd time in under 24 hours, and also added a RBI double. Meneses now has more homers in this series (3) than the rest of his entire combined season (2). (07:45) Jeimer Candelario was only able to serve as DH, but immediately delivered with a 1st inning 3 run HR to set the afternoon tone. Candelario remains on the outside of the All Sta
Jul 8, 2023 · 42 min
Game 88: Meneses HRs Twice + Ben McDonald Interview
The Nats dropped their 5th game in a row as they were beaten 7-2 by visiting Texas. Al & Tim evaluate Washington's 15th home loss in the past 16 games; which is becoming a bit of a head spinning stat. The lineup was tweaked as CJ Abrams occupied the lead-off spot and it sounds like this will be an ongoing experiment. Lane Thomas moved to the 2nd spot in the order, but went 0 for 4. (09:45) Joey Meneses touched eight bags while homering twice; thus doubling his season total. It was his first time
Jul 7, 2023 · 35 min
Game 87: Rain Delay Shortens Gore's Outing
The Nats were swept by the Reds and Thursday's finale was a 5-4 extra inning defeat for their 14th loss in their past 15 home games. Mark & Al recap the odd affair, that saw a nearly two hour rain delay in the top of the 2nd; thus prematurely ending MacKenzie Gore's start. This is his final schedule start until the All Star Break and his ERA is now at 4.42. (10:15) The rain delay caused the afternoon to become a Bullpen Game and the "A" Bullpen took the mound in addition to a few others. Hunter
Jul 6, 2023 · 40 min
Game 86: Cruz & the Reds Blast the Nats
The Nats were trounced 9-2 on Wednesday night vs. the Reds for their 3rd straight home loss. Mark & Al recap the unusual kerfuffle regarding the blast knob at the end of Elly De La Cruz's bat that ultimately led to his towering HR in the 5th inning. Mark was the designated pool reporter for the evening and relays what he was told form the Umpires afterwards. (08:40) Josiah Gray had a poor outing on the heels of making the All Star Game over the weekend. Gray only lasted 5 IP and was plagued by h
Jul 4, 2023 · 32 min
Game 85: Disappointing Holiday Performance
The Nats lost 8-4 to the Reds in the annual 11:05AM July 4th start in D.C. Mark & Alex have plenty to carp about as the sloppy play began right away with poor defense in the 1st inning. Adding insult to the afternoon, Cincinnati was able to steal 6 bases off of Riley Adams behind the plate. (06:10) Patrick Corbin struggled while allowing 10 hits and 6 earned runs. Corbin's ERA is now up to 5.13 and for comparison sake it was 5.68 at this time last summer. It was the 4th time this year that Corbi
Jul 4, 2023 · 31 min
Game 84: Offense Lacks Fireworks in Defeat
The Nats lost the home stand opener 3-2 on Monday evening to Cincinnati. Mark & Al begin with the very curious and costly decision by Stone Garrett to try and steal 2nd Base in the bottom of the 9th. Hear how Davey Martinez responded to Garrett getting thrown out for the 2nd out in the final frame. (09:40) Joey Meneses was slotted 5th in the lineup as opposed to his usual placement of 3rd or 4th in the order. Meneses really struggled in June as he only came up with six hits the entire month. (18
Jul 3, 2023 · 28 min
Game 83: Gray the All Star & A Win
The Nats won 5-4 on Sunday in Philadelphia to take the weekend rubber match and Josiah Gray also found out he is headed to the MLB All Star Game for the first time in his young career. The Nationals won all 3 series on the road trip and went 6-3 overall on the three city tour. Al points out how well the team is playing on the road this year as they are 21-22 this season away from D.C. (05:00) Gray is bound for Seattle at next week's Midsummer Classic. Gray makes it to the All Star Game less than
Jul 2, 2023 · 25 min
Game 82: Gore & Nats Get Clobbered
The Nats were crushed 19-4 on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. Al hosts solo and runs through all the troubling moments from MacKenzie Gore's awful start, which included not properly covering a play at 1st Base. It is the worst start of Gore's season and rose his ERA to 4.48. Hear what Davey has to say about the blister on Gore's finger afterwards. (08:40) The Nationals bullpen (which included Ildemaro Vargas) was demolished by the powerful Phillies offense as they gave up a whopping 12 runs
Jul 1, 2023 · 35 min
Game 81: Gray, Garrett, & "A" Bullpen Get it Done
The enter the Halfway Point on a high note as they eked out a 2-1 win in Philadelphia for their 5th victory in the past six games. Mark & Al start with Josiah Gray's solid start on Friday night where he struck out 8 Phillies while only issuing 1 walk. Gray's ERA at 3.30 on the season through 17 starts. (10:50) The "A" Bullpen came through with the final nine outs spread out between Mason Thompson, Kyle Finnegan, and Hunter Harvey. Harvey has appeared on the mound in all five Nationals victories
Jun 29, 2023 · 36 min
Game 80: Corbin's Gem Takes the Rubber Match
The Nats won 4-1 in Seattle to take the series and end their West Coast road trip with a winning record (4-2). Mark (Live from T-Mobile Park) & Al (He's Back!) revel in Patrick Corbin's stellar performance where he struck out 9 Mariners in 7 IP; without issuing any walks. This was especially clutch considering how short handed the bullpen availability was entering Wednesday afternoon. (11:00) Amos Willingham made his MLB debut in the 8th inning and immediately allowed a Solo HR. Willingham did s
Jun 28, 2023 · 24 min
Game 79: Weems Comes Through in Extras
The Nats outlasted the Mariners 7-4 in 11 innings as Jordan Weems recorded the final six outs for the victory. Mark (Live from Seattle) & Tim recap the wacky affair which included many pitch clock violations, flared tempers, and Weems escaping a bases loaded no outs jam in the bottom of the 10th. (08:35) Jake Irvin threw 5.2 IP and allowed 3 runs. He has pitched better in June than in late May and has had four straight solid outings. (17:00) Luis Garcia had a great game with both the bat and glo
Jun 27, 2023 · 35 min
Game 78: Sloppy in Seattle
The Nats lost 8-4 to open their series in Seattle on Monday evening. Mark (Live from T-Mobile Park) & Tim begin with the bad Strike 3 call on Jeimer Candelario to end the game and quash the 9th inning rally. The Nationals trailed by five runs entering the final frame, but made it interesting by loading the bases and bringing up the tying run to the plate. (04:15) Dom Smith had an inexplicable error in the pivotal bottom of the 5th, which led to 3 Mariners runs to take a 6-3 lead. Cory Abbott was
Jun 26, 2023 · 28 min
Game 77: Gore Sets A Victorious Tone in San Diego
The Nats won their first series in June after topping the Padres 8-3 on Sunday afternoon in California. Mark (Live from Petco Park) & Tim marvel at MacKenzie Gore's outing where he struck out the first six batters he saw to set a franchise record. Gore pitched well, but had to exit after 5 IP due to a high pitch count (104). His final pitch of the game was Strike 3 on Juan Soto, which defined the day as Gore K'd Soto in all three at bats. (13:00) The bullpen recorded the final 12 outs, but it wa
Jun 25, 2023 · 26 min
Game 76: Gray & 'Pen Shutout the Padres
The Nats blanked San Diego 2-0 on a day that began with the great news that Paolo Espino is coming back to Washington! Mark & Tim evaluate Josiah Gray and the "A" bullpen's effort in not allowing the Padres to score a run all night. The trio of Mason Thompson, Kyle Finnegan, and Hunter Harvey came through with the final ten outs after Gray lasted 5.1 IP. (15:00) Jeimer Candelario and Lane Thomas each homered on Saturday night and it was Thomas' 13th HR of the season. Will he get an All Star nod