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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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
Aug 21, 2022 · 34 min
Game 122: Soto & Bell HRs All the Padres Need
The Nats lost 2-1 as all of San Diego's runs came off of Josh Bell & Juan Soto Solo HRs. Mark (Live form Petco Park) and Al discuss the former Nationals impact, and how it was Bell's first hit against Washington since the trade (0 for 20 prior to the homer). (5:10) Josiah Gray only lasted five frames, but did only allow one run off of four hits. He threw a lot of balls on the evening as he issued five walks in the outing; compared to only three strikeouts. (20:20) Luke Voit was scratched for the
Aug 20, 2022 · 31 min
Game 121: Another Win At Hader's Expense
The Nats scored three runs off of Josh Hader in the 9th for a 6-3 victory in San Diego. Mark (Live from Petco Park) & Al open with the exciting top of the 9th that gave the Nationals their second straight win over the Padres. Hats off to Alex Call for picking a very good time to hit his first career HR. (09:22) Keibert Ruiz reached base five times, collected two hits, had a RBI and stole a base. This was a major boost to the offense since Luke Voit did not play (back tightness). (14:45) CJ Abram
Aug 19, 2022 · 31 min
Game 120: Nats Prevail After Getting to Hader
The Nats held on 3-1 in San Diego as they scored two runs off of Josh Hader in the top of the 9th. Mark (Live from Petco Park) & Al run through the pitcher's duel that saw Anibal Sanchez go toe to toe with Yu Darvish. It was Sanchez's best start this season as he lasted five frames. The Padres are a surprising 6-9 since all their big acquisitions at the trade deadline. (05:53) Ildemaro Vargas homered for the first time with Washington and also singled later in the game. Vargas has been productiv
Aug 18, 2022 · 26 min
Game 119: Abbott Throws Quality Start but McGee Takes the Loss
The Nats lost the series rubber match to the Cubs 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon. Al begins with more base running blunders as Cesar Hernandez was picked off after collecting a RBI single and points out how poor their metrics are in that category compared to every other team. (06:10) Cory Abbott pitched well as he only allowed two runs in six innings. Abbott was picked up from waivers three months ago after the Giants let him go. (14:05) Al goes around MLB and brings it back home to the on-goings in
Aug 17, 2022 · 33 min
Game 118: Abrams Singles in Extra Inning Loss
The Nats came up short yet again in extra innings; the latest a 7-5 loss against the Cubs. Al & Mark wonder how is it that the Nationals constantly struggle in that late stretch, as they are 3-18 in the past two seasons in extra innings. (05:48) CJ Abrams hit 7th again and earned his first hit in Washington in clutch fashion after singling in the tying run in the bottom of the 10th. Mark then gives his review of Abrams' glove work thus far. (16:05) It was another day in the life of Victor Robles
Aug 16, 2022 · 35 min
Game 117: Gray Fans 10 & Cruz HRs in Abrams' Debut
The Nats had arguably their most exciting victory of the season as they rallied on the Cubs for a 5-4 win. Mark & Al recap the Nationals debut for shortstop CJ Abrams. He was hit-less with a routine E6, but did show-off many signs in the field of his range and ability. Abrams is top rated prospect in the organization and was part of the Juan Soto trade. (16:25) Josiah Gray started slow, but ended his evening with an emphatic 10th strikeout. Prior to facing his final batter in the 6th, Davey Mart
Aug 15, 2022 · 32 min
Game 116: Shutout by San Diego
The Nats were blanked in the series rubber match against the Padres 6-0. Mark & Al bring you up to speed on Sunday's lineup as the lead-off hitter was definitely someone you never have heard of before. "Joey Four Bags" was "Joey One Bag" as he had a pair of singles to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Tune in to hear how our podcast infiltrated Friday's national broadcast on Apple TV+. (06:20) We taped our episode just prior to confirmation that C.J. Abrams will be called-up on Monday. L
Aug 14, 2022 · 34 min
Game 115: Controversial Call Goes the Nats Way
The Nats rallied to beat the Padres 4-3 in dramatic fashion. Al & Mark open with a rare moment of 2022 good luck as a Victor Robles 7th inning single turned into the game winning run after San Diego's catcher Austin Nola was determined to have blocked home plate. If you can explain how this rule is supposed to be properly applied, you are smarter than any of us. (08:09) The Nationals hit crucial back to back HRs in the 6th, the last of which by "Joey Four Bags". He is now at five homers in nine
Aug 13, 2022 · 35 min
Game 114: Soto Gets Standing Ovation in Return to D.C.
The Nats were doubled up 10-5 by San Diego in Juan Soto's abrupt return to D.C. Mark & Al examine the events around Soto playing on South Capitol Street in an opposing uniform. Juan went 2 for 6 with a RBI and Josh Bell was hit-less in five at bats. (07:48) The Washington Post on Friday reported that the Lerner's did not seek the opinions of the prospective buyers when it came to trading Soto. This re-opens the discussion as to why Washington felt the need to trade him before the Trade Deadline.
Aug 11, 2022 · 36 min
Game 113: "Joey Four Bags" HRs Again in Defeat
The Nats coughed up a late lead in Chicago and lost 4-2 . Mark & Al again begin with the exploits of "Joey Four Bags" Menses as he homered in every game in this series and has four dingers in seven games. The 30 year old rookie has certainly taken advantage of his opportunity since the trade deadline. (06:40) Josiah Gray had his first good outing in awhile as he did not allow a run until the 7th inning. His afternoon came to an end after giving up his MLB leading 29th HR of the season. His bullp
Aug 10, 2022 · 37 min
Game 112: Meneses Menaces the Cubs
The Nats snapped their six game skid with a dramatic 6-5 win at Wrigley Field. Mark (Live from the Friendly Confines) and Al celebrate "Joey Four Bags" Meneses' big night as he connected on the game winning 2 run HR in the top of the 8th. Menses has three homers since being called up a week ago in the midst of his Age 30 season. (06:40) Keibert Ruiz has his thunder stolen a bit in the victory as he homered twice early in the game. Ruiz rounded out his strong evening by throwing out a runner and
Aug 9, 2022 · 34 min
Game 111: Winless Road Trip Continues
The Nats lost 6-3 at the Cubs for their sixth consecutive defeat. Al begins by pointing out to Mark (Live from Wrigley Field) that a bright spot emerged on Monday in the new prospects rankings by Baseball America. Washington has five of the top 55 prospects, with four ranked ahead of Cade Cavalli (C.J. Abrams the highest at #11). (07:30) An emailer asks if Cade Cavalli remaining in AAA has anything to do with MLB service time stipulations. Is it more baseball reasons or service time reasons? (12
Aug 8, 2022 · 37 min
Game 110: Shredded & Swept
The Nats were crushed 13-1 in Philadelphia that capped a four game sweep by the home team. Al & Tim try to make sense of the miserable weekend, which was low lighted by noncompetitive starting pitching. Cory Abbott on Sunday allowed four homers and seven runs in fewer than four frames; while issuing five walks. (20:10) Luis Garcia committed an egregious throwing error in the 8th inning on Sunday. C.J. Abrams spent the weekend at SS for Rochester, which begs the question of when will Abrams get c
Aug 7, 2022 · 31 min
Game 109: Corbin Loses His 16th Game
The Nats lost 11-5 in Philadelphia as Patrick Corbin yet again didn't even record three outs. Al tries to figure out what the next move is as his ERA is above 7.00 and Davey Martinez's tone after the game indicated there might be a change in his role. Corbin is 4-16 on the season and is flirting with being the first pitcher to lose 20 games in a year since Detroit's Mike Maroth dubiously accomplished this in 2003. (20:45) It basically became another bullpen game for Washington and Jordan Weems h
Aug 6, 2022 · 39 min
Game 108: Gray Gets Blistered in Philly
The Nationals lost 7-2 in Philadelphia as Josiah Gray allowed four homers in just four innings pitched. Al & Mark dive into Gray's continued struggles, that include a healthy edge across Baseball for most homers given up this season (28). Why the refusal to throw his change-up? (19:01) Kyle Gibson took a Perfect Game into the 7th until Victor Robles broke it up w/ a HBP. Robles had another adventurous evening as he misplayed fly ball in the first became a J.T. Realmuto triple. (25:07) Josh Roger
Aug 5, 2022 · 41 min
Game 107: Voit Impresses at the Plate in Rainy Debut
The Nats lost 5-4 in a rain shortened affair (4.5 innings) at the Phillies as Paolo Espino remains winless on the season. Al & Mark evaluate Luke Voit's franchise debut that included a RBI single and a run scored. What exactly were the circumstances that led to him coming to Washington as opposed to Eric Hosmer? (13:42) MacKenzie Gore, one of the players acquired from San Diego, joined the team in Philadelphia on Thursday. Mark gives the latest as his injury timetable as he has elbow inflammatio
Aug 4, 2022 · 31 min
Game 106: Post Soto Reality Sets in
The Nats lost 9-5 to the Mets in the series rubber match on Wednesday afternoon. Mark & Al start by digesting the fact that Juan Soto is playing Baseball for another team on the other side of the country. The franchise has lost many stars in the past few years, but this one feels different in a more profound way. (10:03) Luke Voit will join the team on Thursday in Philadelphia and will likely be at 1B and in the heart of the order. He will take the roster spot of Alcides Escobar, who has been ba
Aug 3, 2022 · 46 min
Game 105: Soto & Bell Traded to San Diego
The Nationals unexpectedly beat the Mets 5-1, but the headline of Tuesday is that Juan Soto is no longer in D.C. Al & Mark react to the blockbuster trade that shipped Soto & Josh Bell to San Diego in exchange for a horde of prospects. What to make of this monumental day as Soto has officially been traded? Why did the team feel that it had to do this? (16:43) The Nats received six players in return and the hosts run through their credentials. C.J. Abrams is a shortstop and is expected to be playi
Aug 2, 2022 · 38 min
Game 104: Soto Homers on Deadline Eve
The Nats lost 7-3 to the Mets in what **might** be the final game in which Juan Soto sported the "Curly W". Al & Mark marvel at Soto's performance on Monday night as he crushed a HR off of Max Scherzer, walked three times, stole a base, and threw a runner out at home. They give their updated thoughts on Soto's situation as we are under 24 hours until the 6pm Eastern Trade Deadline on Tuesday August 2nd. (17:45) Josh Bell doubled in what will likely be his final game as a National and his average