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.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

980 episodes
Updated Today

Episodes980

Newest first

May 9, 2023 · 31 min
Game 35: Irvin Shines in San Fran Victory
This time the Nats offense delivered in the 1st inning and gave Jake Irvin a lead he would never relinquish in Monday evening's 5-1 victory at the Giants. Mark (Live from San Francisco) & Al dissect Irvin's first career MLB win; that saw him throw just over six scoreless frames. Where might Irvin fit in long term? (13:10) The lineup gave Irvin a 5-0 lead before he even took the rubber. CJ Abrams continued his hot stretch (10 for 18 on the road trip) with a 2 run single to gave Washington a big l
May 8, 2023 · 34 min
Game 34: "Joey Four Bags" Comes Through in the 9th
The Nationals rallied again in the 9th in Arizona and this time they were rewarded with a 9-8 victory. Mark (Live from Phoenix) & Al have another comeback to discuss; with Joey "Four Bags" Meneses being the hero this time around by connecting on a 3 run HR. Washington is now 10-9 since the 4-11 start to the season. Chase Field is also the venue where Meneses hit two HRs vs. USA in the World Baseball Classic in March FWIW. (9:00) Luis Garcia had a solid series and hit 2nd in the lineup all weeken
May 7, 2023 · 33 min
Game 33: Finnegan's Blown Save Negates Late Comeback
The Nats lost 8-7 in heartbreaking fashion in Arizona as the 9th inning saw the lead change hands multiple times. Al & Mark (Live from Phoenix) do their best to sort through everything, but begin with a recap of MacKenzie Gore's outing. Gore allowed a pair of runs in six innings, but struck out nine in the process. (09:20) The Nationals staged a furious five run rally in the top of the 9th; capped by Lane Thomas' 2 run HR to temporarily give Washington the lead. This all began when Keibert Ruiz
May 6, 2023 · 25 min
Game 32: Quiet Night for the Bats in Arizona
The Nats lost 3-1 in Arizona to open up their two city/ six game road trip. Mark (Live from Phoenix) & Al discuss how the offense was no match for Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly. The lineup only mustered four hits and Luis Garcia had two of them (including a Solo HR). (06:15) Keibert Ruiz is mired in a slump as he struck out three times and has not yet had a hit in May. Joey Meneses went 0 for 4 and his average has dropped .267. (12:45) Josiah Gray had a so-so outing as he allowed three runs
May 5, 2023 · 34 min
Game 31: Call Dials Up a Walk-Off HR to Cap Corbin's Gem
Thursday was an exciting day for the Nationals for many reasons, but with the most important being Alex Call's Walk-off HR to lead-off the 9th inning and give them a 4-3 victory over the Cubs. Al & Tim run through all the positives which include the game finishing under two hours, the Nats winning a series, and a 9-7 stretch in the past 16 games. (06:10) Kyle Finnegan came through with an incredible escape in the top of the 9th after putting the first two hitters in scoring position. Davey Marti
May 4, 2023 · 30 min
Game 30: Abrams the Hero in Irvin's Debut
The Nats defeated the Cubs 2-1 on an evening where Jake Irvin made his Major League debut on the mound. Mark & Al analyze the right hander's first Big League start, which had an inauspicious beginning as he hit Nico Hoerner with the first pitch he threw. Washington is 3-3 on this home stand with the rubber match on Thursday afternoon. (10:00) The bullpen was outstanding as they combined for nearly five scoreless innings. Andres Machado, just promoted from Rochester, came through with clutch outs
May 3, 2023 · 37 min
Game 29: Abrams Has 3 Hits in Victory
The Nats beat the Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday night as the offense broke the tie open in the 7th with a trio of runs. Al & Mark start though by breaking down the curious continued calls for bunting; highlighted by Alex Call's 5th inning bunt that blew up on Washington. This conversation is the definition of "Inside Baseball". (15:30) The bottom of the order came through with five hits between Victor Robles and CJ Abrams. Robles surprisingly leads the team with a .732 OPS. (18:00) Trevor Williams pitched
May 2, 2023 · 29 min
Game 28: Gore Struggles vs. the Cubs
MacKenzie Gore was dealt a loss by the visiting Cubs as he was not able to make it through five innings. Al & Mark examine the left hander's difficult outing as opposed to recent starts by Gore. His ERA currently sits at 3.77 on the season. (09:15) Lane Thomas homered, but that was the only offense in the 5-1 defeat. It is surprisingly his firs homer of the year after he slugged 17 of them in 2022. Dominic Smith had two hits on the evening; including a double in the 7th. (15:00) Chad Kuhl was pl
May 1, 2023 · 36 min
Game 27: Gray Beats the Pirates
The Nats ended April on a high note as they handled the Pirates 7-2 following a lengthy rain delay. Mark & Al begin with praise for Josiah Gray who only allowed one run in six innings. Gray closes out the opening month with a ERA at 2.67 and has thrown five consecutive solid starts. (14:00) The offense came alive early in the game as it was a quickly 5-0 lead. Al points out some surprising numbers regarding the lineup, especially in the category of team batting average. Joey Meneses did not have
Apr 30, 2023 · 34 min
Games 25 & 26: Swept in the Doubleheader
The Nationals were no match for visiting Pittsburgh on Saturday in the twin bill. They lost the opener 6-3 and then were clobbered 16-1 in the nightcap. Al & Mark point out just how poorly the Nats have played at home this season despite their recent winning road trip. Chad Kuhl did not pitch well on Saturday evening and his future with the organization is respectfully brought into question. (11:30) The bullpen did not have a banner day and it was so bad that Lane Thomas had to pitch in Game 2.
Apr 28, 2023 · 37 min
Game 24: Abrams' Grand Slam Not Enough in NY
The Nationals were six outs away from a series sweep, but the Mets got to Mason Thompson in the bottom of the 8th and New York prevailed 9-8. Mark & Al start with the top of the 8th where the Nats turned a 7-3 deficit into a brief 8-7 edge as CJ Abrams hit his first career Grand Slam. Does this qualify as a "Good Loss" considering the circumstances? (07:00) Leadoff hitter Alex Call also homered for Washington and Al points out the positive contributions from Call this season in that role. (14:15
Apr 27, 2023 · 22 min
Game 23: Gore Dazzles in New York
The Nats continued their hot road trip as they beat the Mets 4-1 for their fourth victory in the past five games. Al begins with high praise for MacKenzie Gore who struck out a career high matching 10 hitters; and his quest to become a true ace. (10:45) The bullpen kept their slate clean in this New York series and the bulk of the workload fell to Hunter Harvey, who put on a dominant performance. Did you know his father Bryan was also a Major League reliever? (16:00) The Nationals collected eigh
Apr 26, 2023 · 27 min
Game 22: Gray Strikes Out Nine in Shutout Win
The Nationals shutout the Mets 5-0 in New York as Josiah Gray earned his first victory of the season. Al examines Gray's excellent outing where he struck nine batters and saw his ERA dip below 3.00. Mason Thompson picked up the slack for the late innings as he tossed three blank frames to finish out the win. (08:30) Keibert Ruiz homered for the second time this season to put the Nats on the board. It shockingly was the first bit of run support for Gray since Opening Day. Joey Meneses continued h
Apr 24, 2023 · 30 min
Game 21: "Sweep Dreams" Dusted Away
**This episode is sponsored by shirtgoodhq.com - Custom DC novelty shirts** The Nationals were not able to complete the sweep as they lost 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in Minnesota. Al & Mark (Live from Target Field) get very into weeds right away as they examine the bunt attempt in the top of the 5th by Victor Robles. Later in the game; Robles then made an incredible throw in the bottom of the 8th to complete a fantastic double play. It is always a roller coaster ride with Victor. (21:00) Patrick Co
Apr 23, 2023 · 29 min
Game 20: Abrams Goes Deep in Chilly Win
The Nationals won their second straight in frigid Minnesota as they handled the Twins 10-4 on Saturday afternoon. Mark (From Target Field) & Al start with CJ Abrams who hit his first HR with the organization and also made a beautiful 9th inning catch. (08:15) Joey Meneses had himself a four hit game on Saturday; continuing his momentum from the series opener. His OPS so far is still a cause for concern as it sits at .664. (16:45) Chad Kuhl was gifted a lot of help from his offense, but still did
Apr 22, 2023 · 35 min
Game 19: "Joey Four Bags" Sparks The Victorious Rally
The Nationals staged a late inning comeback in Minnesota to win 3-2 on Friday evening. Mark (Live from a very cold Target Field) & Al give props to Joey Meneses for hitting his first HR of the season in the 7th, which ended a startling drought for the franchise of 24 consecutive innings without scoring a run. (14:00) Keibert Ruiz was slotted 2nd in the batting order and delivered with the game winning RBI in the top of the 8th. This being part of a new look order that saw Dominic Smith dropped t
Apr 20, 2023 · 39 min
Game 18: Shutout Again by Baltimore
The Nats were shutout yet again from the Orioles in a 4-0 loss that resulted in them being swept at home in the short series. Al & Mark focus on how the offense was helpless against a Baltimore pitching staff that typically does not dominate its opponents. It is already the fourth game this season in which Washington was unable to score. (05:00) CJ Abrams was 0 for 4 with 3 Ks and had a 9th inning throwing error. Abrams has struggled at the plate this year and is barely hitting above the "Mendoz
Apr 19, 2023 · 36 min
Game 17: Offense Lets Down Gray Again + Soto Eyebrow Raising Comments to SI
The Nats were shutout 1-0 by the visiting Orioles and Josiah Gray yet again was given absolutely zero run support. Mark & Al run through another poor evening by the offense and pinpoint just how many things went wrong in the bottom of the 3rd when they had many chances to bring home a run. (14:00) Gray only allowed one run in five innings, but now is 0-4 on the season as the team has only scored one run in his four outings. His ERA is under 4.00 and has pitched well in the past three starts. (20
Apr 17, 2023 · 32 min
Game 16: Garrett Leaves His Mark in Comeback Win
The Nats held an exciting 8th inning rally to defeat Cleveland 7-6 on Sunday afternoon in D.C. Mark & Al run through all the major moments from the Washington victory; which at one saw them trailing by three runs in the 7th. Stone Garrett, who many fans had been clamoring for on the lineup card, scored the tying run in dramatic fashion; which did not become official until after a lengthy replay review. (08:00) The Nationals hit a pair of HRs in the series finale and they came from Jeimer Candela
Apr 16, 2023 · 35 min
Game 15: Bats Go Quiet Again in Late Innings
The Nats lost their fourth in a row on Saturday; a 6-4 defeat at the hands of visiting Cleveland, that began late after a nearly two hour rain delay on Jackie Robinson Day. Mark & Al discuss how the lineup gave Chad Kuhl an early 3-0 1st inning lead, but that did not last. Hear the gruesome stats of how much the offense has struggled this season as the game reaches the later frames. (08:00) Many fans have been upset that Stone Garrett has disappeared from recent lineup cards. Mark asked Davey Ma