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

Jul 4, 2022 · 32 min
Game 82: Corbin Excels But Marlins Pull off the Holiday Sweep
The Nats perplexing inability to beat Miami continued on Monday as they lost 3-2 in extras on July 4th. Al & Mark note how the Nationals are 1-12 this year vs. the Marlins among other troubling trends. Tanner Rainey again gave up a late crucial HR, this one being a 2 run shot to break the tie in the top of the 10th. (12:54) Patrick Corbin had another strong start as he lasted seven frames and only allowed one run. Are we allowed to get excited after how the past the two outings have gone? (17:10
Jul 4, 2022 · 40 min
Game 81: Soto Exits Early in Losing Seesaw Affair
The Nats continue to be tormented by the Marlins as they fell 7-4 in extras. Mark & Al recap a hectic final few innings that saw the lead change hands multiple times in the final few innings. Tanner Rainey was one pitch away from the save, but instead his struggles continued as he gave up a lead changing 2 run HR. Is the 9th inning not for him? (16:20) The narrative of this game changed shape many times as Washington was being no hit by Pablo Lopez until Josh Bell got a hit in the 7th inning. Th
Jul 3, 2022 · 40 min
Game 80: Rizzo & Martinez Back in 2023 Announced Prior to Loss
The Nats lost 5-3 Saturday to Miami for a 3rd straight defeat. Mark & Al begin with the pregame news that GM Mike Rizzo and Manager Davey Martinez had their 2023 options picked up. Was this news surprising or largely expected? The hosts explain why this was done in midseason. (20:54) Jackson Tetreault was not able to make it a third consecutive solid start as he issued five walks in four innings. (26:24) Tres Barrera had a RBI double in his first Big League plate appearance for the season. Mark
Jul 2, 2022 · 45 min
Game 79: Gray Struggles in Loss + Soto Contractual Talks
The Nats lost 6-3 to Miami to open up a four game series on a holiday weekend in D.C. Al gives kudos to Mark for his pinch hit performance on Friday night as he filled in as color commentator on MASN. They then evaluate Josiah Gray's outing; where he allowed six runs in just under six frames. How much time off should he have between starts? (12:10) Keibert Ruiz had an impressive game both with the bat and the glove. In the top of the 6th he yet another pickoff play at 1st base and then in the bo
Jun 30, 2022 · 34 min
Game 78: Bizarre Ruling Costs the Nats in Wacky Loss
The Nats missed a rare opportunity for a sweep as they lost 8-7 to the Pirates in a game that saw a very bizarre play to conclude the top of the 5th. Mark & Al try to unravel all that went into the decision to grant Pittsburgh a run despite the Nationals turning a double play with one out. Did the umps get it right? They certainly took their time in making their decision, (13:09) The bottom of the 5th was also notable in a negative way for Washington as they made yet another out at home plate. T
Jun 29, 2022 · 34 min
Game 77: Corbin Dominates & Yadiel Comes Up with the Big Hit
The Nats beat the Pirates 3-1 for their third straight win and their sixth victory in the past eight games. Mark & Al this time have plenty of good things to say about Patrick Corbin as he struck out a dozen Pirates in eight innings of work. It ties a career high for Corbin in terms of strikeouts, the last time he whiffed that many was back in the 2019 NLCS. (13:32) Tanner Rainey ran into some trouble, but ultimately earned his 11th save of the season. Who do you currently trust more... Rainey o
Jun 28, 2022 · 29 min
Game 76: Franco's Blast Rallies the Nats
The Nats came back on the Pirates 3-2 as Maikel Franco hit a game winning 2 run HR in the bottom of the 8th. Al discusses how they struggled with runners in scoring position all night until Franco came through late as the Nats have now won five of their past seven games. The boys ultimately stranded ten runners on base in the victory. (11:20) Erick Fedde allowed two runs in five frames, keeping the team in it despite exiting with a 2-0 deficit. It goes down as a quality start, which the staff ha
Jun 27, 2022 · 38 min
Game 75: Tetreault Keeps it Rolling in Series Clincher
The Nats hung on 6-4 in Texas to win a weekend series for the fourth time in five attempts. Al & Mark (Live From Globe Life Field) begin with praise for Jackson Tetreault who only allowed one run in the victory. The Nationals have had a quality start in six of the past seven games and have gone 4-3 in that stretch. (09:45) Tanner Rainey came in to get the Save as a 6-1 lead in the 9th was trimmed to a slight two run edge after Francisco Perez struggled mightily. Mark explains why Perez was tabbe
Jun 26, 2022 · 35 min
Game 74: Gray Dazzles But the Rangers Walk It Off
The Nats lost a heartbreaker to the Rangers 3-2 as Adolis Garcia hit a walk-off HR against Kyle Finnegan in the bottom of the 9th. Mark (Live from Texas) and Al take a glass half full approach to Saturday as Josiah Gray struck out nine in seven innings, only allowing four hits in the process. Does it seem like he's elevated his game this past month? (11:30) Finnegan got the nod in the 9th instead of Tanner Rainey. Is he taking Rainey's spot as the ace reliever on the staff? (16:30) Washington wa
Jun 25, 2022 · 43 min
Game 73: Paolo & Bell Lift the Nats in Texas
The Nats topped the Rangers 2-1 in their first ever trip to Globe Life Field. Mark (Live from Texas) & Al tip their caps to Paolo Espino, who had another solid outing, as he didn't allow a run until the 6th inning. Why exactly was Paolo buried on the pitching depth chart for so long? (10:35) Josh Bell collected three hits in the return to his hometown, including the go ahead RBI single in the 8th inning. Bell's average is up to .302, one of only ten players in the NL above the desired threshold.
Jun 23, 2022 · 28 min
Game 72: Nats Shutout as Austin Hays Hits for the Cycle
The Nats were blanked 7-0 in Baltimore in a rain shortened affair (6 innings). Al & Tim begin with the bewilderment of some of the decisions behind the two rain delays that occurred on Wednesday. Why did it take so long to call it a night? Austin Hays of the Orioles hit for the cycle despite it not being a full game, the 3rd player to do so against the Nationals. (07:45) Patrick Corbin struggled yet again as he was handed his 10th loss of the season and only lasted four innings. Tim takes advant
Jun 22, 2022 · 22 min
Game 71: Fedde & 'Pen Shutout the O's
A refreshed Nats blanked the Orioles 3-0 for a 2nd straight win. Mark (Live from Baltimore) & Al evaluate Erick Fedde's big night as he tossed six shutout frames at Camden Yards. The bullpen was just as good as well as Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards, Jr., and Tanner Rainey all threw scoreless innings. (12:03) Lane Thomas homered on Tuesday while hitting ninth in the order. Thomas is hitting .310 so far in the month and Mark explains what likely led to the decision to put in that lineup spot. (22:05
Jun 19, 2022 · 46 min
Game 70: Tetreault's Father's Day Gem Ends All the Skids + Interview on Ray Brown
The Nats ended all sorts of losing streaks by beating Philadelphia 9-3 as they had lost eight in a row overall, twelve straight to the Phillies, and thirteen consecutive against NL East foes. Mark & Al tip their caps to Jackson Tetreault who earned his first career victory in only his second career start. Will he get another Major League start? (09:15) Juan Soto capped a frustrating week on a positive note with a crucial three run homer, his 14th of the season. The forgettable home stand include
Jun 19, 2022 · 39 min
Game 69: Zimmerman Ceremony is a Home Run Despite Extra Inning Loss
The Nats lost in 2-1 to the Phillies in 10 innings, but the focus of Saturday came Pregame as Ryan Zimmerman's #11 was retired. Mark & Al applaud the ceremony as it seemed to hit all right notes, aided by perfect weather and sell-out crowd in Washington D.C. (20:35) Josiah Gray threw six scoreless frames as he in a pitcher's duel with Aaron Nola. Gray was well rested after he missed his Monday start due to rain. It is notable that this was the first time Gray pitched in front of a large crowd at
Jun 18, 2022 · 49 min
Games 67 & 68: Controversial Call Caps A Doubleheader Sweep by the Phils
The Nats lost both ends of Friday's Doubleheader in D.C against Philadelphia to extend their losing streak to seven games. Al & Mark begin with the final inning of the long day, as Luis Garcia was controversially called for obstruction that led to a 2 run Philly lead in the 10th. Mark spoke with the umpire Dan Iassonga afterwards and hear all that went into the decision. (18:45) Josh Bell had a monster day as he homered three times on Friday, four in the past two days. Bell's average is currentl
Jun 17, 2022 · 36 min
Game 66: Soto Returns, but Ugly 3rd Inning Ensues
The Nats were trounced 10-1 by Philadelphia for their 5th consecutive defeat. Mark & Al do the best they can to piece together the disaster that was the 3rd inning on Thursday evening as the Phillies scored seven runs in the frame, aided by a pair of Washington errors. Why is the defense so shaky this season? (08:01) Patrick Corbin didn't make it out of the 4th inning as he exited with a very unusual pitching line. He allowed nine runs, but only two were considered earned. Both HRs that he gave
Jun 16, 2022 · 38 min
Game 65: Soto Sits Again & Atlanta Brings Out the Broom
The Nats were swept by the Braves as they lost 8-2 in the series finale. Mark & Al recap a three game stretch in which red hot Atlanta pulverized Washington. Adding injury to insult, Juan Soto missed a second straight game due to a the contusion on his right knee. (14:47) Victor Robles had a blatant TOOTBLAN to end the 7th inning. Why does he so often make mistakes on the bases (21:03) Erick Fedde threw over 100 pitches in defeat as his main purpose on Wednesday was to eat up innings to help an
Jun 15, 2022 · 35 min
Game 64: Strasburg Officially to the 15 Day IL & the Braves Go Back to Back... Twice
The Nats lost 10-4 to the surging Braves, who have won 13 in a row. Al & Mark discuss how the pitching woes keeping piling up for Washington as Jackson Tetreault was thrusted into his MLB debut against a red hot Atlanta. The original plan this week was Josiah Gray on Monday and Stephen Strasburg and Tuesday, and it ended up being Earsmo Ramirez and Tetreault, respectively. (16:10) Juan Soto did not play for the first time this season due to the right knee contusion from Monday evening. Will he b
Jun 14, 2022 · 29 min
Game 63: Gray Scratched After Rain, & Soto Exits in the 9th
Monday was an awful/no good day for the Nats from start to finish as they lost 9-5 to Atlanta. Mark & Al update the latest on Juan Soto as he missed his final at bat after banging his knee in the dugout prior to the top of the 9th. (05:14) Pregame it was announced that Stephen Strasburg is back on the IL due to discomfort after his Saturday bullpen session. We still don't know the results of the MRI, but it seems difficult to maintain an optimistic outlook. He had been previously scheduled to st
Jun 13, 2022 · 32 min
Game 62: Paolo Takes the Hill, but a Low Scoring Loss Ensues
The Nats lost 4-1 to Milwaukee as the bid for a series sweep came up short. Mark & Al focus on the ten runners that Washington stranded as they went opposite of their instinct to score runs against Brewers starter Jason Alexander. Al was mildly incredulous at Juan Soto's 1st inning bat attempt. What did Davey Martinez have so to about it? (16:01) The Nationals used a tandem start on Sunday as Paolo Espino lasted until the 4th and then Evan Lee bridged the game into the late innings. Paolo took a