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

979 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes979

Newest first

May 19, 2022 · 45 min
Game 39: Replay Forces Extras but the Nats Prevail + Rizzo/Martinez Contractual Situation
The Nats beat the Marlins 5-4 in 10 innings for their first win over Miami this season. Mark & Al recap the busy evening as the Nationals basically won twice, once in the 9th and then again ultimately in the 10th. Trust me, we'll explain, just after we get a ruling from New York. (12:27) Keibert Ruiz had a huge evening as he collected three hits, reached base five times, and had the go- ahead RBI double in extras. He currently is hitting .282 w/ an OPS at 7.26. (24:12) Josiah Gray stuck out seve
May 18, 2022 · 38 min
Game 38: Defensive Follies Continue in Miami + Cavalli Hammered in AAA
The Nats lost 5-1 in Miami in a second straight game marked by committing two errors on the same play. Al & Tim discuss the sorry state of Washington affairs as we have a clear and obvious case of "Bad Baseball" on our hands. (09:31) Nelson Cruz struggled again at the plate as he was 0 for 4 with 3 Ks. Is it tine to flip him and Yadiel in the order? Victo Robles' evening wasn't much better as he was picked off 1st Base. (17:40) Joan Adon took the loss, but didn't walk any batters in his outing.
May 17, 2022 · 38 min
Game 37: Another Night of Bad Defense
The Nats were routed 8-1 in Miami as they came very close to allowing a "Little League Grand Slam". Mark & Al recap a game that encompassed all of the issues so far this season: sloppy defense, bad hitting, subpar pitching, and poor execution. (08:21) The offense was no match for Sandy Alcantara as he retired 20 Nationals in a row over 8 IP. Juan Soto was 0 for 4 and is showing clear signs of frustration at the plate. Will he naturally snap out of it like all great hitters typically do? (16:33)
May 16, 2022 · 29 min
Game 36: Corbin Gives up a Trio of HRs in a Backwards Step
The Nats were shutout 8-0 by Houston to drop their fourth consecutive series rubber match. Al & Mark recap Patrick Corbin's outing, which started well, but ultimately in the end he allowed five runs in six plus frames. Meanwhile, Justin Verlander earned his 231st career victory after five innings of work. (10:01) The trouble began in the 5th inning shortly after a pick-off attempt resulted in a poor throw by Josh Bell. It's another example of a season marked by defensive lapses, typically follow
May 15, 2022 · 45 min
Game 35: Nats End Houston's Win Streak in Emphatic Fashion
The Nats beat up on the Astros 13-6 to snap their eleven game win streak. Al & Mark focus on the offense that piled up fourteen hits, including big nights from Nelson Cruz and Yadiel Hernandez. Is Nelson Cruz showing signs that he is overcoming his early season slump? (20:11) Maikel Franco doubled and homered in the victory and shares the team lead in RBIs. Is he becoming a potential trade option for the franchise later this summer? (30:15) Erick Fedde escaped early trouble and labored his way t
May 14, 2022 · 39 min
Game 34: Astros Tee Off on Gray Early + Dusty Returns to D.C.
The Nats lost 6-1 to Houston as it is the first time these two teams met in Navy Yard since Game 5 of 2019 World Series. Mark & Al recap Josiah Gray's nightmare first inning, before he settled down to make it through six frames. They then put in perspective the drastically different directions the two franchises have taken since meeting in the Fall Classic. (18:26) The Astros have now won 11 in a row as the Nationals offense couldn't much going at the plate. One troubling stat is that Washington
May 13, 2022 · 27 min
Game 33: Embarassing Baserunning Lowlights Defeat
The Nats lost 4-1 to the Mets to drop their third straight series. Al discusses the loss while taking note that Mark Lerner was on hand watching Juan Soto's action filled afternoon and the current state of the franchise. Soto homered and doubled, but also was part of a base running mistake (along with Josh Bell) that was so absurd it made national news. Hear Davey Martinez's reaction to the play in the bottom of the 4th. (16:37) Joan Adon issued five walks in the first two innings and was lifted
May 12, 2022 · 44 min
Game 32: Soto & Cruz HRs Bookend Early Onslaught
The Nats rallied in the early innings on the Mets for an 8-3 win. Mark & Al rehash this unusual game as New York scored three runs right away, before Washington then put up all eight runs in the first two innings. Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz both went deep, which lead to a discussion about each of their season's thus far. (15:06) Cesar Hernandez had three hits before the third inning concluded as he was a big part of the early rally. Dee Strange-Gordon played shortstop for another game as Alcides
May 11, 2022 · 32 min
Game 31: Bullpen Falters After Corbin Throws 5 Scoreless
The Nats lost 4-2 to the Mets for a 9th consecutive home defeat. Al & Mark open with the poor defense on display as the Nationals made a pair of errors that were compounded by subpar baserunning. Why so many instances of runners getting thrown out by wide margins on the bases? (12:30) Patrick Corbin had his third straight good start as he threw five scoreless innings despite issuing four walks. It seems to be the new norm that Riley Adams will be his personal catcher. An indictment of Ruiz or ju
May 9, 2022 · 41 min
Game 30: Rendon Walks Off Rainey's Blown Save + "Baby Shark" Officially Retires
The Nats lost a heartbreaker 5-4 in Anaheim as they could not hold onto their late lead. Mark (Live from Angels Stadium) & Al recap the Mother's Day loss as Tanner Rainey inherited a 4-2 lead with three outs to go. All weekend the Nationals held the Angels stars in check; until the bottom of the 9th on Sunday. (14:03) Erick Fedde gave Washington five scoreless innings despite issuing five walks in the process. The hosts discuss Fedde's performance through the first month of the season as his ERA
May 8, 2022 · 28 min
Game 29: Gray Earns the Win as He is Aided by a Trio of HRs
The Nats beat the Angels 7-3 to end a three game losing streak. Tim Shovers & Mark (live from Anaheim) recap Josiah Gray's outing as he lasted into the sixth and did not give up a hit against Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, or Anthony Rendon. Was it a good start or a decent start for Gray? (09:45) Rendon is 0 for 8 this series and is barely hitting over .200. Does he look uncomfortable at the plate? He did though make a vintage Rendon play in the field. (15:25) Maikel Franco had a big night as he kno
May 7, 2022 · 37 min
Game 28: Shutout in Anaheim, Rendon Goes Hitless
Th Nats were blanked 3-0 by the Angels as their road trip extended to a third city. Mark (Live from Anaheim) & Al open the discussion with Joan Adon's start as there was a lot to like despite the final result. The highlight of his outing were back to back strikeouts against Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. (13:06) It was the first time that Anthony Rendon faced his old team as he went 0 for 4 with 2 Ks. Mark explains what Anthony said to reporters pregame about playing against the Nationals. What's
May 6, 2022 · 33 min
Game 27: Escobar Commits Another Error in High Scoring Loss
The Nats were outslugged by the Rockies 9-7 as Coors Field lived up to its reputation. Mark (live from Denver) and Al recap the afternoon defeat where Alcides Escobar committed his third error in under 24 hours. (10:01) Josh Rogers gave up a 3 run HR out of the bullpen as did starter Aaron Sanchez. What is Rogers' exact role on this team right now? (19:25) Juan Soto was caught napping at 3rd base for a crucial out in the 5th inning. Mark explains the "Inside Baseball" that went into that play. H
May 5, 2022 · 36 min
Game 26: Corbin Takes the Loss Despite Lasting 8 Frames
The Nats lost 5-2 in Colorado, but there were many positive vibes afterward as **PATRICK CORBIN THREW A COMPLETE GAME IN COORS FIELD** (No bottom of the 9th was played). Mark (from Denver) and Al rehash the left hander''s best start in years, despite the poor defensive play behind him. Davey Martinez thinks Corbin is "back", what say you? Plus, will Riley Adams become Corbin's personal catcher moving forward? (14:40) Alcides Escobar had another bad game as he committed two errors and struck out
May 4, 2022 · 34 min
Game 25: Bell & Soto Homer in Coors Field Rout
The Nats trounced the Rockies 10-2 in Denver as they have won three of the past four games on the road trip. Al & Mark (Live from Coors Field) recap the victory as Erick Fedde became the first Nationals starter to last seven frames this season. Why has the team played so much better on the road than at home this year? (10:52) Josh Bell had three hits, including a 3 run HR, as his OPS is above 1.000. This brings up a question we will ask many times this year.... sign him to an extension or trade
May 2, 2022 · 34 min
Game 24: Gray Pitches Well & Gets Plenty of Run Support
The Nats took the series in San Francisco as they won the rubber match 11-5 on Sunday afternoon. Mark (live from Oracle Park) and Al recap a very encouraging day for the organization's future as Josiah Gray only allowed one hit in six frames. Is your confidence growing that he can become a frontline starter? We have an extended discussion about the young right hander. (13:35) Yadiel Hernandez had a huge day with 5 RBIs, including a 3 run double in the 8th to break the game open. Should Davey Mar
May 1, 2022 · 37 min
Game 23: Poor Defense in Defeat + UVA Retires Zimmerman's #11
The Nats lost 9-3 in San Francisco as they scored as many runs as they committed errors. Mark (Live from Oracle Park) and Al rehash the subpar defensive effort, which included an E6 for Alcides Escobar. (07:27) Speaking of Escobar, the Rochester Red Wings tweeted out a defensive highlight made by Luis Garcia on Saturday afternoon that raised our hosts eyebrows due to the way it was typed out. (Cade Cavalli also threw his best outing of the season) (16:12) Victor Robles had six hits so far in thi
Apr 30, 2022 · 31 min
Game 22: Nats Score 14 Runs in a Skid Snapper
The Nats ended their 8 game losing streak in emphatic fashion as they crushed the Giants 14-4 to open their road trip. Al & Mark (Live from San Francisco) convened at 3:11 AM Eastern to discuss just exactly how the offense busted out in such a big way with 22 hits. (06:31) Juan Soto began the evening with a 1st inning HR, but then a mini controversy developed in his next at-bat. His request for a timeout was not granted as Alex Wood was quick pitching and it resulted in a visibly upset Soto. Mar
Apr 29, 2022 · 25 min
Game 21: Corbin Pitches Better but Offense Comes Up Short Again
The Nats have now lost 8 in a row as they were swept by Miami in the series finale 3-2. Al Galdi recaps another very disappointing performance by the offense. Nelson Cruz 's average currently sits at .160 to exemplify where things stand. Juan Soto drew a pair of walks, but otherwise was hit-less at the plate. (07:38) Lucius Fox is still without a Major League hit, but did draw a walk. However, he was then promptly picked off. It was his second straight day starting at SS over Alcides Escobar. (1
Apr 28, 2022 · 33 min
Game 20: Skid Extends to Seven
The Nats lost to Miami 2-1 for a 7th consecutive defeat. Al & Mark recap an evening that didn't see much action until late as the offense mightily struggled for yet another game. During this losing streak, they are averaging just a pair of runs per game. (08:40) Maikel Franco thought he hit a game tying HR in the 9th, but instead ended up with just a single because he jogged down the line as the ball caromed off the wall. The hosts respond to this mental error in the final frame. (14:55) Erick F