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

Jan 11, 2023 · 57 min
"Charlie & Dave" Visit Nats Chat
The long time radio duo of "Charlie & Dave" join us for the January edition of Nats Chat, but before the interview Mark & Al update the latest with the organization. We begin with the continuing ownership saga that has now extended into 2023. (14:20) Washington signed a pair of Free Agents recently in Dominic Smith and Corey Dickerson. Where will each fit in defensively? How does all this affect where "Joey Four Bags" gets slotted on the lineup card? (22:10) The Nats also inked RHP Trevor Willia
Dec 8, 2022 · 49 min
Quiet Winter Meetings for the Nats
The MLB Winter Meetings have wrapped up and the Nationals.... didn't do much. Mark (Live from San Diego) & Al put into perspective just how little of a splash the team made. We do though unveil our new theme song, courtesy of listener Tim Neumark. There is a timeline for the Angels sale, but what about the Nats? (12:45) Washington made a rare selection in the Rule 5 Draft by selecting RHP Thad Ward from the Red Sox. The team also found that they will select 2nd in next summer's Draft after the s
Nov 8, 2022 · 50 min
World Series Over & Another Team in Town For Sale
The Astros defeated the Phillies to win the 2022 World Series. Al & Mark reconvene for the first time this off-season and a few weeks after the inaugural Nats Chat Podcast Party at Walter's. They begin with the new development in D.C. sports and that is the fact that the Nationals aren't the only team for sale in the DMV. Will the Commanders sale affect matters on South Capitol Street? (17:05) Washington made minor moves over the weekend as Sean Doolittle is coming back, but not Nelson Cruz. We
Oct 6, 2022 · 29 min
Game 162: Season Ends with a Fedde Clunker
The long and difficult 2022 Nationals season is now over as they were blown out 9-2 at the Mets on Wednesday evening as Erick Fedde allowed nine runs in under three innings. Al & Mark (Live from Citi Field) put in perspective how stubbornly this year ended as it was the sixth consecutive day the Nats dealt with rainy weather. (08:03) An unexpected bright spot for this team was the bullpen, which finished in the middle of the pack amongst its MLB brethren. Erasmo Ramirez sported an ERA under 3.00
Oct 5, 2022 · 35 min
Games 160 & 161: Rizzo Speaks in NY
The Nats lost both ends of the doubleheader in New York as they are now just one game away from ending this long season. Mark (Live from Citi Field) & Al recap the nightmarish outing by Paolo Espino, as he allowed three consecutive HRs to open up Game #2. Paolo remains win-less, but did say he is willing to come out of the bullpen on Wednesday if necessary. (10:10) The Braves clinched the NL East on Tuesday night as they won in Miami. The Mets have won 100 games, but will not have a division tit
Oct 3, 2022 · 26 min
Game 159: Rain Shortened Loss Concludes Home Slate
The Nats lost 8-1 to the Phillies to wrap-up the 81st home game of the season. Mark & Al run through the decision to call the game an hour into the rain delay, while the contest was through six innings. The final few frames were played through difficult conditions in order to play four official games over the course of a rainy weekend. (11:05) Patrick Corbin lost his 19th game of the year as he likely finishes with an ERA of 6.31. The last pitcher to have a season similar to Corbin's struggles,
Oct 2, 2022 · 37 min
Games 157 & 158: Meneses Shines & Romero Wears it in Split
The Nats & Phillies split their doubleheader that was able to be played despite the ominous forecast. Joey Meneses was the star at the plate in Game 1, where Washington clobbered Philly 13-4, as he had hit a bases clearing double and his 13th HR of the season. Mark & Al discuss the next chapter of his post trade deadline magic carpet ride. (12:10) Luis Garcia had 3 hits and drove in 5 runs on Saturday afternoon. Hear what former National he might be comparable to. However, Garcia made a poor def
Oct 1, 2022 · 31 min
Game 156: Afternoon Loss Before Night Game Postponed
The Nats lost 5-1 on Friday afternoon before Game 2 of their doubleheader against the Phillies was postponed. Mark & Al catch you up on this weekend's very confusing schedule, which as of now has a doubleheader slated for Saturday (which was the original plan earlier this week). (11:15) Not only did Philadelphia win the game, but they also dominated in terms of base running. The Phillies were six for six with runners trying to steal, as opposed to Washington who made multiple outs on the bases i
Sep 29, 2022 · 32 min
Game 155: Abrams' Walk-off Drops the Braves Into 2nd Place
The Nats earned their 2nd walkoff win of the month as they edged Atlanta 3-2 in 10 innings. Al & Mark begin with the hero CJ Abrams, who singled in Alex Call to avoid the sweep on Wednesday night. It was a very costly loss for the Braves as they fell a game back of the Mets in the NL East race. (08:01) Josiah Gray ended a string of poor outings as he only allowed a pair of hits in six frames, giving up just one run. Gray also was successful against Atlanta in April, his only other time facing th
Sep 28, 2022 · 31 min
Game 154: Paolo's Bid for a Win Falls Short
Paolo Espino remains without a win this season as the Nats were handled 8-2 by the visiting Braves. Mark & Al point to all the things that went downhill for the Nationals after their early 2-0 lead, including a trio of HRs from the loaded Atlanta offense. (05:06) Washington's defense was sloppy on Tuesday and the infield's effort came across as "casual". The team was only charged with one error, but there many questionable throws throughout the night. The defense has been much better since the t
Sep 27, 2022 · 18 min
Game 153: 100th Loss Comes After Elder's Complete Game
The Nats were shutout by visiting Atlanta 8-0 as Bryce Elder tossed a complete game. Al begins with Washington reaching the unfortunate mark of 100 losses on the season, and for the first time since 2009. Hear what Davey Martinez had to say regarding this in his post game press conference. (05:03) Elder is the second pitcher this month to go the distance against the Nationals, the other being Miami's Sandy Alcantara. It was also Elder's 1st victory since April 12th. Meanwhile, Cory Abbott was ve
Sep 26, 2022 · 32 min
Game 152: Meneses HRs in Win Over Miami
The Nats ended their difficult season series against Miami with a 6-1 victory on Sunday. Mark (Live from Florida) & Al begin by acknowledging that the Nationals will avoid the dubious distinction of 110 losses this year. (04:20) Joey Meneses homered for the second straight day in the 1st inning and went deep three times on the road trip. He also flashed leather on a few occasions in the victory. Has he locked up 1B for Washington in 2023? (11:55) CJ Abrams had a busy day that was mostly positive
Sep 25, 2022 · 32 min
Game 151: Alcantara Dominates the Nats One More Time
The Nats lost 4-1 in Miami as they yet again were no match for Sandy Alcantara. Mark & Al tip their caps for the final time this season to the Cy Young candidate who went 4-0 in five starts in 2022 vs. Washington. (09:42) The offense had a quiet evening, except for Joey Meneses' Solo HR in the opening frame. Alex Call had a good game as he reached base three times (walk, single, HBP). Lane Thomas went 0 for 4 and remains hit-less in his career against Alcantara. (19:30) Erick Fedde took the loss
Sep 24, 2022 · 31 min
Game 150: Gray's Outing Sputters in the 6th
The Nats lost 5-2 in Miami and Josiah Gray took his 10th loss of the season. Al & Mark (Live from Florida) run through Gray's start, as he had only allowed one run until the Marlins scored three off of him in the 6th. On the bright side, Gray did not allow a home run for the first time in 14 starts. (11:47) Updates on both MacKenzie Gore and Patrick Corbin. Will either guy start a game for Washington in the final stretch? Gore has a rehab start on Monday for Rochester and Corbin left his last st
Sep 22, 2022 · 36 min
Game 149: "Joey Four Bags" the Hero in Atlanta
The Nats rallied to win 3-2 in Atlanta and avoid the sweep. Mark & Al begin with another dramatic HR by Joey Meneses, who hit a 2 run shot in the 7th to grab the lead. Meneses has hit 10 homers since being called up on August 2nd, including three late HRs that led to victory. (09:45) An emailer inquires about a stain on Meneses' resume, as he was once suspended in Japan for PED use. The hosts explore this part of his career as best they can with little information available on the subject. (16:5
Sep 21, 2022 · 28 min
Game 148: Corbin Exits Early Due to Back Spasms
The Nats lost 3-2 in Atlanta on an evening where Patrick Corbin left the game in the 1st inning due to discomfort in his back. Al & Tim open with the narrow defeat for Washington as they could not capitalize with the bases loaded in the top of the 9th. (07:48) Corbin only recorded two outs before exiting on Tuesday night. Could this end his season? He entered the evening with 18 losses on the season and no pitcher has lost 20 games since 2003 (Mike Maroth- Detroit). The Nationals were able to on
Sep 20, 2022 · 32 min
Game 147: Meneses Muscles 4 Hits in Defeat
The Nats lost 5-2 in Atlanta to begin a six game road trip. Al & Mark focus on how these games are of supreme importance to the Braves, who are just a game back of the Mets for the division lead. Atlanta is seeking a fifth consecutive NL East crown. (05:30) Joey Meneses gathered four hits on Monday and is hitting .325 since being called up on August 2nd. His OPS in abbreviated action this season is .904. The conversation then steers to fellow pleasant surprise, Ildemaro Vargas. (13:45) The team'
Sep 18, 2022 · 26 min
Game 146: Alcantara's Complete Game Spoils the Sweep
The Nats lost to Miami 3-1 as Sandy Alcantara bolstered his Cy Young case by throwing a 103 pitch Complete Game. Al & Mark tip their caps to the Marlins right hander, who is 3-0 this year vs. Washington in four starts. (03:30) Lane Thomas got the day off despite his surge as of late, because his career numbers against Alcantara have not been good (0 for 11 w/ 6 Ks). Do you agree with the manager filling out his lineup cards in this manner? His teammates had yet another game filled with base runn
Sep 18, 2022 · 29 min
Game 145: Nats Victoriously Slug 4 HRs
The Nats beat Miami 5-3 to guarantee a series win while hitting four solo homers and oddly enough not singling. Mark & Al run through the offensive stars from the victory, including all the starting outfielders (Thomas/Robles/Call). Lane Thomas for the second straight season is hitting well post trade deadline and the hosts wonder where he fits into the 2023 lineup. (06:50) Victor Robles homered for just the 10th time post 2019, but this one went over 400 feet. He had been out of the lineup for
Sep 17, 2022 · 40 min
Game 144: "Joey Four Bags" Inside-the-Park HR Ignites Rally
The Nats rallied in the late innings to edge the Marlins 5-4 and snap a five game skid. Al & Mark begin with how the comeback started; "Joey Four Bags" Inside-the-Park in the bottom of the 7th. Meneses now has slugged nine HRs since being called up after the trade deadline. (06:10) CJ Abrams had a two run triple to tie up the affair in the pivotal 7th and his average this month is up to .313. His infield mate Ildemaro Vargas delivered the go ahead hit; a RBI ground rule double in the bottom of t