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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Apr 27, 2022 · 38 min
Game 19: Gray Fans 10 in Losing Effort
The Nats skid extended to six games as they lost 5-2 to visiting Miami. Mark & Al have plenty to talk about though, and begin with what exactly happened in the bottom of the 4th as the Nationals had a runner thrown out at home on back to back plays. Did Yadiel Hernandez purposely run through the stop sign? (12:05) Luis Garcia went 4 for 4 with 2 HRs for AAA Rochester on a night that Alcides Escobar's struggles continued. The hosts wonder if/when the Garcia move will be made given the difficultie
Apr 25, 2022 · 38 min
Game 18: Nats Hurl 8 Pitchers & Get Swept
Things went south for the Nats right from the start on Sunday as they lost 12-3, sealing a sweep at the hands of San Francisco. Lucius Fox vomited next to the pitchers mound after the second pitch of the game, just before Joc Pederson hit a lead-off HR off of Joan Adon. This entire paragraph actually happened. (08:36) Mark tells Al the latest on Josh Bell who did not play Sunday, but Davey Martinez says the MRI on his hamstring "came back pretty clean". Bell not playing mixed with Fox's quick e
Apr 24, 2022 · 27 min
Game 17: Bell Exits Early in Loss to the Giants
The Nats lost 5-2 to the Giants on Saturday afternoon. Al is solo hosting for the first time this season and opens with the news that Josh Bell exited the game early due to right hamstring tightness. This leads to a conversation about the scuffling offense, including the numbers for Alcides Escobar. (06:40) Cesar Hernandez was dropped from the lead-off spot down to the sixth in the order as Lane Thomas took over the top spot. Riley Adams got the start and homered in the afternoon and is surpris
Apr 23, 2022 · 38 min
Game 16: Corbin's Latest Flop + AAA Update
The Nats lost 7-1 to the visiting Giants as Patrick Corbin couldn't even made it through two innings. Mark & Al discuss another bad start by the lefty, this time marked by the home crowd booing him. Will he remain in the rotation? His ERA after four starts is at a shocking 11.20. (16:16) The top of the 9th had unexpected fireworks as Alcides Escobar voiced his displeasure with how the Giants were running the bases despite leading by six runs. Where do you stand on this particular unwritten rule
Apr 22, 2022 · 36 min
Game 15: Rogers Allows 3 Homers in Narrow Loss
The Nats came up just short against visiting Arizona 4-3 to split the series. Mark & Al react to an afternoon game which saw Juan Soto up in the bottom with the bases loaded. However.... an infield pop-up sealed Washington's fate.(05:42) The bullpen threw nearly five scoreless innings and the top guys weren't even used. Hunter Harvey though was the latest reliever to be placed on the IL, adding to a growing number of injured Nationals. Are these injuries related to how often the 'pen is need
Apr 21, 2022 · 35 min
Game 14: An Odd Day & Bad Day at Nationals Park
The Nats were routed 11-2 by Arizona on a very unusual day in D.C. The U.S. Capitol was briefly evacuated as there was a miscommunication related to the pregame festivities at Nationals Park. Mark tells Al what he experienced first-hand. ****Audio courtesy of CBS 2 in NY*** (04:39) As for the game, Erick Fedde was rocked by the Diamondbacks and couldn't make it out of the 4th inning. He allowed seven runs, six of which were earned, on over 80 pitches. The infield defense behind him was lacklus
Apr 20, 2022 · 40 min
Games 12 & 13: Young Arms Lead the Way to a Doubleheader Sweep
The Nats took both games of the twin-bill (6-1, 1-0) in D.C. against Arizona to move to just one game below .500. Game 1 victory went to Josiah Gray and Game 2 honors were taken by Joan Adon. Al & Mark wrap-up both of their performances as they combined to only allow one run on Tuesday. (14:11) The bullpen was flawless in both games, including Kyle Finnegan pitching twice. Tanner Rainey made it quite interesting in Game 2 by loading the bases with no outs in the 9th, but was able to escape the
Apr 18, 2022 · 31 min
Game 11: Nats Blow A 3 Run Lead & Franco Commits 3 Errors
The Nats had their most frustrating loss of the season as they coughed up a 3-0 lead and lost 5-3 in the series finale in Pittsburgh. Al & Mark (Live from PNC Park) recap Sunday afternoon's game as Patrick Corbin made it through 5 innings, but the Pirates rallied against him and the bullpen in the 6th & 7th. Steve Cishek was tagged with the loss by allowing 3 runs, and it calls into question whether or not Sean Doolittle should have entered the game before the right hander did. (13:07) Maikel
Apr 17, 2022 · 32 min
Game 10: Soto HRs into the River in Defeat
The Nationals lost 6-4 in Pittsburgh on a cold Mid April night. Al & Mark (Live from Pittsburgh) recap an evening where the Nats left 11 runners on base. (05:08) Juan Soto himself didn't strand any runners, and he also reached base four times for a 2nd straight game. He smashed his 3rd HR of the season, that somehow found its way into the Allegheny River. (11:01) Josh Rogers did not last five innings and following this season's formula, it resulted in a Washington loss. The hosts also touch u
Apr 16, 2022 · 37 min
Game 9: A Good Friday for Fedde & Crew
The Nats won 7-2 in Pittsburgh on Jackie Robinson Day to further a clear trend so far to the young season. They are 4-0 when their starting pitcher lasts five frames, and win-less when that doesn't occur. Al and Mark (Live from Pittsburgh) critically examine Erick Fedde's outing as he was able to protect the early three run lead he has been staked. When will a Washington starter make it though six innings? (10:16) The bullpen threw four scoreless innings as Sean Doolittle continued the perfect
Apr 15, 2022 · 37 min
Game 8: Adon & "B" Bullpen Get Hit Hard in Pittsburgh
The Nats lost 9-4 in Pittsburgh as they couldn't hold onto an early 3-0 lead. Mark (Live from Pittsburgh) and Al discuss Joan Adon's poor outing, which was made worse by the bullpen performance to follow. Was Adon tipping pitches? (21:58) Yadiel Hernandez got another start in LF and Lane Thomas was in CF after Dee Strange-Gordon was a late scratch form the lineup. This leads to questions already about Victor Robles as he already sat multiple games in this young season. What amount of playing t
Apr 14, 2022 · 33 min
Game 7: Gray & "A" Bullpen Take the Series in Atlanta
The Nats won the rubber match in Atlanta 3-1 for their third victory in the past four days. Mark (live from Truist Park) and Al open the discussion with praise for Josiah Gray, who tossed five scoreless innings. What was working for Gray in the outing? (10:46) The top bullpen arms then stepped up for the final twelve outs to give Gray his first W of the season (Finnegan, Doolittle, Cishek , and Rainey). Do the Nationals actually have themselves a solid back-end of the 'pen? (17:24) The offense
Apr 13, 2022 · 35 min
Game 6: Corbin Clunker but Soto Crushes His 100th HR
The Nats were walloped by the Braves16-4 as Patrick Corbin allowed 9 hits before the 3rd inning concluded. Mark (Live from Atlanta) & Al recap the rout and begin by dissecting the "strange" decision to have Dee Strange-Gordon take the mound in the 8th during garbage time. Is it unbecoming to have a position player throwing 58 MPH in a regular season game? (15:42) The Nationals comically botched a rundown and Victor Robles allowed a ball underneath his glove and to the wall. It was the first gam
Apr 12, 2022 · 35 min
Game 5: Rogers Rocks His Way to a Win + Ownership Report
The Nationals routed the defending champs 11-2 in Atlanta as Josh Rogers picked up where he left off last season. Mark (covering on-site) & Al discuss the southpaw's performance, which included retiring ten in a row at one point. (08:42) The offense poured it on the Braves pitching staff, led by Maikel Franco who had four hits and 5 RBIs. Lane Thomas and Josh Bell also filled out the scorecard in the victory. Mark explains how Atlanta' pitching staff is in a tough spot as the series progresses.
Apr 11, 2022 · 35 min
Game 4: Cruz & Fox Lead the Rally for Win #1
The Nationals earned their first "Curly W" of the season as they came from behind to beat the Mets 4-2. Lucius Fox had quite the MLB debut as he had a game tying squeeze bunt, scored an insurance run, and flashed leather at SS. Mark & Al let you know who exactly Fox is and what he might bring to the table this season. (10:17) Nelson Cruz had a big afternoon as he slugged his 450th career HR and had the go-ahead hit in the bottom of the 8th. (17:48) Erick Fedde finally gave Washington a starte
Apr 10, 2022 · 28 min
Game 3: Alonso Grand Slam Extends the Winless Start
The Nats were shutout by the Mets 5-0 to begin the season at 0-3 for the first time in over a decade. Mark & Al discuss the struggling offense which has only scored four games in this series so far. (10:53) Another busy night for the bullpen as Joan Adon's outing fell apart in the top of the 5th when he allowed a Grand Slam to Pete Alonso. The hits then continued for the 'pen as Mason Thompson exited the game after just three pitches due a right biceps issue. (20:02) The bright spot so far th
Apr 9, 2022 · 29 min
Game 2: Mets win in Max's Return w/ A Bench Clearing Sprinkled in
The Nats lost 7-3 to the Mets in a very long and active Friday evening in Navy Yard. There were multiple delays, a bench clearing fracas, and Max Scherzer returned to D.C. The brawl came after Steve Cishek hit Francisco Lindor in the top of the 5th, ending Cishek's franchise debut after just two pitches. Mark explains to Al why Cishek was ejected when it did not seem that the pitch was intentional. Was New York manager Buck Showalter to blame for the escalation on the field? (17:03) Max Scherz
Apr 8, 2022 · 31 min
Game 1: Soto Homers in Opening Day Loss
The Nats lost a rain delayed Opening Day 5-1 to the visiting Mets. Al & Mark recap the disappointing evening as not too much went right for the home team. Patrick Corbin was tagged with the loss as he only lasted 4+ frames, which led to five relievers coming out of the bullpen. (13:19) Juan Soto's Solo HR was the only run produced by the Nationals offense, the 99th of his career. The offense struggled mightily as they combined for ten strikeouts. Keibert Ruiz however had an excellent game both
Apr 4, 2022 · 59 min
Season Preview + Sean Doolittle Interview
The regular season is just a few days away and we get you set for 2022. Mark & Al set the pitching table for the Nationals as Patrick Corbin has officially been named the Opening Day starter. Do you remember Joan Adon from Game #162? Hear why you might hear that name again as soon as April. (19:53) A look at the position players, including Victor Robles getting another shot at the Major League level. Mark explains why there still might be more roster movement before Thursday. Why is Andrew Stev
Mar 29, 2022 · 45 min
Garcia Sent Down + Cavalli Getting Called Up?
Opening Day is under two weeks away as a Florida sun soaked Mark joins Al, who is a tad under the weather during this cold late March in the DMV. We begin with the demotion of Luis Garcia to AAA Rochester, despite him playing every day after the trade deadline last season. This leads to a discussion about Victor Robles' situation. (16:33) Lane Thomas ended last season on a very high note, but it seems Cesar Hernandez is the favorite to his lead-off this year. What do the Nats think they have in