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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Sep 14, 2022 · 36 min
Game 142: Harvey Takes the Loss Against His Former Team
The Nats lost 4-3 to the Orioles despite their early lead. Al & Mark recap Hunter Harvey's pivotal relief outing against his ex-teammates; as he allowed two runs in defeat. It was a busy night for the bullpen due to starter Cory Abbott only lasting three frames. (18:45) CJ Abrams made a crucial base running mistake in the 6th inning that caused an unnecessary out at 3B. Has poor base running been the biggest problem the team has had this year (not counting starting pitching)? While we are in the
Sep 12, 2022 · 26 min
Game 141: Swept After Long Rain Delay
After a rain delay that last over three hours, the Nats lost 7-5 in Philadelphia, completing a sweep. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al begin with the decision by MLB to make sure the game ended on Sunday, despite the long wait. This was a tough way to end a three city/ ten game road trip with no days off in between. (04:48) Anibal Sanchez only lasted two innings before the rain arrived, but issued three walks in that brief time. The bullpen was pressed into extra duty after the delay ended; low ligh
Sep 11, 2022 · 40 min
Game 140: Harper Continues to Torment Fedde
The Nats lost 8-5 and are 1-7 this season in Philadelphia. Al & Mark (Live from Citizens Bank Park) evaluate Erick Fedde's rough outing where his former high school teammate Bryce Harper homered off of him the 6th time in the past four years. The hosts hold a lengthy discussion about what went into the decision to pitch to Harper as opposed to walking him. Is something fundamentally wrong with developing pitching in the organization? (15:50) Cesar Hernandez played 2B on Saturday night had an nig
Sep 10, 2022 · 48 min
Game 139: Corbin Dealt His 18th Loss + New Rule Changes
The Nats lost 5-3 in Philadelphia for their 90th loss overall and the 18th suffered loss by Patrick Corbin this season. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al recap a bizarre game where zero walks were issued by either pitching staff. Corbin gave up all five runs in just under seven frames, and did so in under 70 pitches. (05:41) CJ Abrams had his best game as he made two web-gems, had a hit, and stole a base. The play he made in the bottom of the 6th might be the infield highlight of the year for the Nat
Sep 9, 2022 · 35 min
Game 138: Call's 4 Hit Day Leads the Way
The Nats bounced back to beat the Cardinals 11-6, giving them a series split. Mark (Live from St. Louis) and Al praise Alex Call who exploded with four hits while hitting ninth, one night after not being make to make a leaping grab to seal the victory. Call originally was not in the lineup, but Victor Robles was a late scratch due to a stiff neck. The offense totaled 18 hits overall on Thursday. (07:17) CJ Abrams had two hits and is hitting .360 so far in September. Nelson Cruz was moved down in
Sep 8, 2022 · 38 min
Game 137: Finnegan Blows a 4 Run Lead in the 9th
The Nats suffered gut punch 6-5 loss in St. Louis as Kyle Finnegan could not hold onto a four run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Mark (Live from Bush Stadium) & Al though begin with the announcement of our 1st ever Podcast Party, Friday evening October 14th at Walter's Bar in Navy Yard. COME JOIN US! (6:18) The bullpen did its job prior to Finnegan entering the game as Erasmo Ramirez did a good job of bridging the gap in the middle innings. Should Davey have pulled Finnegan when trouble began or
Sep 7, 2022 · 38 min
Game 136: Win Streak Ends in St. Louis
The Nats lost 4-1 in St. Louis ending their bid for a 4th straight win. Mark (Live from Bush Stadium) & Al discuss the return of Nelson Cruz and the chain effect that it has on the lineup. Cruz being placed at DH means Luke Voit has to play the field and Joey Meneses has to move to the outfield. How should Cruz be handled the rest of the way? (16:10) Meneses knocked a pair of doubles on Tuesday night and joined a short list of MLB players in the process. He has 42 hits in 30 career games, and on
Sep 6, 2022 · 38 min
Game 135: Anibal & 'Pen Blank the Cardinals
The Nats won their 3rd straight on the road trip, a 6-0 shutout of the NL Central leading Cardinals. Mark (Live from St. Louis) & Al have a lot of positive stats to sort through as Washington has won six of their past eight games. (04:39) CJ Abrams had a four hit afternoon, which included a triple. He seemingly has looked more comfortable at the plate in this recent stretch and he clearly has the ""wheels" when he runs the bases. Keibert Ruiz also had a big game as he slugged his 7th homer of th
Sep 5, 2022 · 39 min
Game 134: Nats Take the Series in New York
The Nats beat the Mets again 7-1 in the series rubber match. Al & Mark (Live from Citi Field) marvel at how the team has won five of their past seven games and were able to take a series against a 1st place club in a tight divisional race. The offense had a lot of key contributors, including Keibert Ruiz who came up with three hits in a game that he specifically requested to play. (15:10) Ildemaro Vargas had a RBI and also played a pivotal role in a bizarre double play that benefited Washington
Sep 4, 2022 · 37 min
Game 133: Offense Capitalizes on Corbin's Gem
The Nats poured it on in the 9th inning for a 7-1 victory at the Mets; their fourth win in the past six games. (Mark (Live from NY) and Al recap Patrick Corbin's excellent outing where he only allowed one run in seven frames; out-dueling Max Scherzer in the process. Corbin has won his past two starts in the span of a week and has three consecutive solid outings. (12:30) The offense had a very good night and they were paced by the tandem of Luis Garcia and Lane Thomas. They combined for seven hit
Sep 3, 2022 · 38 min
Game 132: Gray's Outing Falls Apart in the 6th
The Nats lost 7-3 at the Mets to begin a 10 game/ 3 city road trip. Mark (Live from Flushing) and Al begin with Josiah Gray's start, which saw his pitching line marred in the 6th inning. Gray's ERA is nearing 5.00 and the hosts wonder how we should evaluate his mixed bag of a season. (14:03) Steve Cishek was part of the problem in the four run 6th inning as his season long struggles have continued as of late. Should his usage come down significantly in this final month, especially with Mason Tho
Sep 2, 2022 · 43 min
Game 131: "Joey Four Bags" Walks It Off!
The Nats topped Oakland 7-5 in extras for their first walk-off win of the season as "Joey Four Bags" crushed a 3 run shot in the bottom of the 10th. Al & Tim discuss the next chapter in the unlikely story that is Joey Meneses as he now has seven homers since being called up a month ago. Meneses on Thursday had four hits and is hitting a whopping .354 with Washington. (16:10) The other unexpected August addition, Ildemaro Vargas, had a RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the 8th. He also
Sep 1, 2022 · 38 min
Game 130: Anibal Turns Back the Clock
The Nats topped Oakland 5-1 behind Anibal Sanchez's sterling seven inning effort. Mark & Al discuss the veteran righty's strong start as he only allowed a Solo HR and take note of his recent successful stretch on the mound. It was the best outing he has had since Game 1 of the 2019 NLCS. (06:08) CJ Abrams had a good night at the plate as he drew his first walk and extra base hit with the Nationals. Could this be a turning point for his bat? (12:50) The offense had multiple contributors including
Aug 31, 2022 · 42 min
Game 129: Cavalli to the IL with Shoulder Inflammation
The Nats lost 10-6 to Oakland, but that was not the major news of the day. Mark & Al begin with stunned reaction to the news that Cade Cavalli's season is likely over as he is headed to the IL after just one MLB start. Cavalli's shoulder has inflammation and he initially felt discomfort the day after his debut. Does this effect the usage of Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore down the stretch? (10:38) The bad news continued on Monday as it also appears that Brady House's season is done in Fredericksb
Aug 29, 2022 · 34 min
Game 128: Corbin Ends the Starters Winless Streak
The Nats beat the Reds 3-2 to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon in D.C. Mark & Al begin with the glee (or relief) that Patrick Corbin earned the victory, thus ending the startling drought of 43 consecutive games without the Washington starting pitcher recording a victory. Corbin lasted six innings before handing it off to the "A" Bullpen. (16:30) Joey Meneses continues to pace the Nationals offense as he had a hit on Sunday and his hitting .333. CJ Abrams however was hitess over the weekend an
Aug 28, 2022 · 31 min
Game 127: Another Loss to the Reds
The Nats lost 6-2 to the Reds on Saturday night in D.C. Al hosts solo and runs through just how poor the offense continues to be this season. One of the bright spots this past month? You guessed it... Joey Meneses. (13:45) Paolo Espino was OK, but the streak of a National starter not recording a win reached a preposterous 43 games. Al does shine a spotlight through on Hunter Harvey's performance out of the bullpen this year, who has a ERA of 2.91. (19:05) Yadiel Herandez was placed on the 60 day
Aug 27, 2022 · 40 min
Game 126: Cavalli Sweats His Way Through a Forgettable Debut
The Nationals lost 7-3 to Cincinnati in Cade Cavalli's debut. Al & Mark recap the prized pitching prospect's first start that saw him allow seven runs under five frames. They explain why he pitched better than the box score reflects on a rather humid evening in D.C where he dealt six strikeouts. (07:21) Cavalli did not get help from the defense behind him as CJ Abrams had a first inning throwing error that should have been corralled by Luke Voit. Cavalli's final inning saw more misplays, includi
Aug 25, 2022 · 37 min
Game 125: Vargas Clutch HR + Cavalli Coming to D.C.
The Nats won 3-1 in Seattle as Ildemaro Vargas hit a 2 run HR in the top of the 9th to break the tie. Mark (from T- Mobile Park) & Al though begin with the news that Cade Cavalli will make his D.C. debut on Friday night against the Reds. This is quite possibly the most important pitching debut for the organization since Stephen Strasburg in 2010. (13:45) Anibal Sanchez and the bullpen combined to hold the Mariners offense at bay. Sanchez has been pitching decently lately and he retained his spot
Aug 24, 2022 · 34 min
Game 124: "Joey Four Bags" HR Breaks Up Late No-No Bid
The Nats were doubled up 4-2 in Seattle to open a two game series. Mark (Live from T-Mobile Park) & Al discuss how Robbie Ray had a no-hitter going until "Joey Four Bags" homered to dead center-field in the top of the 7th. Washington has never been no-hit and the last time Expos suffered that fate was in 1999. (08:24) Riley Adams returned to the Nationals and started on Tuesday as Tres Barrera was sent down to AAA. Will Adams see time at 1B or remain the backup catcher? (12:42) Erick Fedde only
Aug 22, 2022 · 38 min
Game 123: Bell Beats the Nats Again
The Nats were edged 2-1 and had to settle for a split in San Diego as yet again the offense could only muster a Solo HR (Cruz). Al & Mark (Live from California) begin with the news that the franchise will face the Phillies in the 2023 Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA. This is the first time the Nationals will be represented in a crown jewel neutral site event since their inception. (15:45) "Joey Four Bags" has not exactly been "Joey Hustle" as for the second time this month he falsely