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 20, 2021 · 47 min
Game 149: Paolo Blanks the Rockies
The Nats shutout Colorado 3-0 as Paolo Espino earned his fifth victory of the season. Al & Mark tip their caps to Espino, who held a potent Rockies lineup scoreless in almost six frames. Who could have ever guessed the season that Paolo is having? It was the first shutout pitched by the Nationals staff since mid June. (11:03) Tanner Rainey returned to the mound after a lengthy stay in Rochester. He struck out the side in an encouraging outing. Will we see him get a save opportunity before the e
Sep 19, 2021 · 41 min
Game 148: Corbin's Woes Return in Shutout Defeat
The Nats were blanked 6-0 by Colorado for a third straight defeat. Mark & Al begin with a lengthy discussion centering around Patrick Corbin; as the lefty's ERA rose back above 6.00. What are the team's options on how to handle Corbin in 2022? Does the organization as a whole need to alter things behind the scenes as it relates to pitching? (19:28) The bullpen threw five shutout innings on Saturday between Ryne Harper and Sean Nolin. Will Nolin's ability to eat innings benefit the ailing 'pen i
Sep 18, 2021 · 38 min
Game 147: Gray Struggles & 'Pen Fails + Escobar in 2022?
The Nats lost 9-8 to the Rockies as yet another late lead was snatched away. Mark & Al recap Kyle Finnegan blowing a second straight save and how the bullpen continues to cost the team wins. Is Finnegan and his mates operating on fumes? (10:30) Josiah Gray had a fifth consecutive outing that was in the subpar category. He struck out five, but walked four, and allowed another HR. Why has his command looked so off in his past few starts? (17:55) The offense continued their September surge and cl
Sep 16, 2021 · 40 min
Game 146: Finnegan & the 'Pen Blow it Despite 15 Nats Hits
The Nats lost 8-6 to Miami as Kyle Finnegan allowed four runs in the 9th. Al starts off the show by relaying just how poorly the bullpen collectively pitched on Wednesday. They gave up eight runs in just four frames between five different relievers. What's your trust level in Finnegan as he has three blown saves this season? (13:03) Josh Rogers was the polar opposite of the bullpen as he had his third consecutive solid start. The southpaw threw five scoreless frames, allowed only one hit, and s
Sep 15, 2021 · 41 min
Game 145: Zim Long HR Sets Victorious Tone
The Nats beat the Marlins 8-2 on an evening where the offense had fourteen hits. Al & Mark praise Ryan Zimmerman's tape measure opposite field HR (442 feet) that went into the 2nd deck. This picks up on our previous conversation about the potential for him to return for next season. Hear what Zimmerman said when asked about his future after the game. (13:46) Juan Soto reached base four more times on Tuesday and has lifted his average to .313. Mark explains how all the walks he's drawn is helpin
Sep 14, 2021 · 45 min
Game 144: Alcantara Dominates + Scherzer HOF Cap Q
The Nats were shutout 3-0 by Miami and their right hander Sandy Alcantara. Mark & Al discuss Alcantara's no hit bid which lasted until the 7th and his perfect game attempt which lasted until a 6th inning error. Surprisingly enough, the Nationals have never been no hit in their history. One positive from Monday was that Keibert Ruiz was back in the linuep, just two days after being hit in the helmet. (14:45) Ryan Zimmerman had a 9th inning pinch hit which spurs a conversation about Zim's futur
Sep 13, 2021 · 48 min
Game 143: Corbin Solid in Win + Soto Future Contract Q
The Nats beat the Pirates 6-2 to avoid being swept. Al & Mark react to Patrick Corbin's second straight positive outing. How encouraged should fans be? How important has the veteran Alex Avila been for Corbin as Avila has caught both of the solid starts by the lefty? (17:20) Kyle Finnegan recorded a five out save and now is 9 of 11 in save opportunities on the season. The bullpen only had to pitch two innings due to Corbin lasting seven frames for the second time this week. How confident are w
Sep 12, 2021 · 43 min
Game 142: Grays Walks Six & Ruiz Exits Loss Early
The Nationals lost 10-7 in Pittsburgh as Josiah Gray had his third straight poor outing. Al digs into Gray's issues of both walking too many Pirates hitters and also continuing his trend of allowing homers. (9:58) Keibert Ruiz had an active Saturday night. Most importantly, X rays were negative after he was hit by a pitch in the helmet in the 6th; which resulted in him leaving the game early. Ruiz had a difficult bottom of the third; between a throwing error and blocking a runner from touching
Sep 11, 2021 · 45 min
Game 141: Lead Slips Away in the 9th + Davey Martinez Suspended
The Nats coughed up their lead in Pittsburgh to fall 4-3 in a walk-off loss. Mark & Al dive into the bottom of the 9th where Patrick Murphy was unable to hold onto the edge. Should they have walked Colin Moran to load the bases with 1 out? (11:08) Josh Rogers threw a second consecutive solid outing for Washington as he lasted until the 7th inning. (15:24) Josh Bell was given a warm reception from Pirates fans in his first return to Pittsburgh since being dealt. Bell slugged his 26th HR of the
Sep 10, 2021 · 47 min
Game 140: Garcia Shines in Topsy Turvy Extra Inning Loss
The Nats lost to the Braves 7-6 in a seesaw affair that last ten innings. Mark & Al note how in their final game against one of the NL East contenders for the season; the Nationals continued to be a tough team to put away. (4:10) Luis Garcia has had a hot September and Thursday night was probably his best game yet. Garcia crushed a go ahead HR to dead-center and made multiple highlight reel plays in the field. Is he turning a corner? (11:50) Juan Soto had two hits and was intentionally walked
Sep 9, 2021 · 46 min
Game 139: Bullpen & Soto Get the Last Laugh After Nolin's Ejection
The Nationals doubled up the Braves 4-2 in a game that saw a contentious opening inning. Mark & Al recap Sean Nolin being ejected after just eight pitches for throwing at Freddie Freeman. They explain what led to the retaliation and how it was explained afterwards by the Nats. Was it right to throw at Freeman after what happened to Soto on Tuesday night? (17:14) The bullpen stepped up big time by recording 26 outs from six different pitchers. How creative will Washington need to be the next few
Sep 8, 2021 · 43 min
Game 138: Soto Reaches Base Five Times In Losing Effort
The Nats lost 8-5 in Atlanta to open a three game series. Al & Tim look at yet another subpar starting pitching effort, this one by Paolo Espino. Paolo allowed five runs in five innings; lowlighted by a 3 run HR he gave up in the 1st inning to Adam Duvall. (11:45) The Nationals tied in it the top of the 7th, but the bullpen quickly allowed the Braves to get back ahead. Ryne Harper was the culprit as he issued a leadoff walk prior to serving up the decisive 2 run HR to Ozzie Albies. Albert Balda
Sep 7, 2021 · 31 min
Game 137: Kieboom Walk-off Hit After More Stevenson Heroics
The Nats walked off the Mets 4-3 with a Carter Kieboom single on Labor Day afternoon. Al & Mark analyze the exciting series finale that capped a five game stretch in the past four days. For the third time over the holiday weekend, Andrew Stevenson came off the bench for a major hit in the final inning; this one a game tying RBI scoring. (12:12) Alcides Escobar had a game big on Monday as he notched a 1st inning triple and also narrowly scored the game tying run n the 9th. Josh Bell also made st
Sep 6, 2021 · 43 min
Game 136: Gray & Voth Each Allow Six Runs in Defeat
The Nationals lost to the Mets 13-6 in a game that was competitive until the top of the 9th. Mark & Al recap Josiah Gray's second straight clunker of a start, which immediately began with him surrendering four runs. What is the appropriate level of concern to have on Gray right now? (15:20) Riley Adams got the start behind the plate as opposed to Keibert Ruiz. Mark explains why that was the case and what to maybe expect for Monday. (18:48) The bullpen on Sunday was all over the map as a few we
Sep 5, 2021 · 48 min
Games 134/135: Josh Rogers' Solid Start Caps an Eventful Split Doubleheader
The Nats and Mets split their doubleheader Saturday in D.C. Game 1 saw New York blow a 9-0 lead, but they ultimately prevailed 11-9 in extras (9 innings). The Nationals took Game 2 by a score of 4-3 to end a seven game losing streak. Al & Mark recap the action packed day in Navy Yard by tipping their caps to Andrew Stevenson, who homered in Game 1 to force extra innings. Alcides Escobar and Luis Garcia also had noteworthy days at the ballpark. (17:22) Carter Kieboom had a big day at the plate,
Sep 4, 2021 · 50 min
Game 133: Rally in the 9th Not Enough + Bryce Harper Contract Q
The Nats lost 6-2 in ten innings to the Mets after Washington scored two runs in the ninth to force extras. Mark & Al dissect the final frames, highlighted by Andrew Stevenson's collision at home to score the tying run. (8:23) Riley Adams had a huge night at the plate while getting his first start at catcher since Keibert Ruiz was called up. Adams got on base four times Friday evening, including three hits. How will starts at catcher be parceled out for this series? (18:58) Juan Soto homered t
Sep 3, 2021 · 46 min
Game 132: Yet Another Bullpen Collapse Against the Phillies
The Nats lost 7-6 to Philadelphia despite leading 6-0 entering the sixth inning. Mark & Al recap yet another rough day for the Nationals bullpen, which made a habit this summer of blowing leads against the Phils. Luis Garcia played a large role in losing the lead as he made two poor plays in a row in the top of the 8th, which led to three runs. (17:58) Paolo Espino pitched very well, but ends up with a no-decision. He threw five scoreless frames before allowing two runners on base in the pivota
Sep 1, 2021 · 44 min
Game 131: Paolo Espino Interview + Robles Demoted to AAA
The Nats lost 12-6 to the Phillies as Patrick Corbin's nightmare season continued. Al & Mark begin with the surprising pregame news that Victor Robles is being sent down to AAA Rochester. Should we have seen this demotion coming? Will he wear a Nationals uniform again? (15:23) Corbin had another rough outing and allowed a pair of HRs in the process. His evening started off smooth, but everything changed starting in the fourth. At what point can we have a serious conversation on whether or not h
Aug 31, 2021 · 47 min
Game 130: Ruiz Debut Fizzles as Gray Has His First Bad Start
The Nats lost 7-4 to the Phillies to open up the eight game homestand. Mark & Al discuss Keibert Ruiz's Washington debut, which did not meet the pregame buzz. The Nationals quickly fell behind 3-0 and Ruiz came up empty with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first. Ruiz did hit a bloop single in the eighth to end his evening 1 for 4 at the plate. Where does Riley Adams fit in now that Ruiz will start most everyday behind the dish? (14:20) Josiah Gray allowed six runs in four innings and imm
Aug 30, 2021 · 53 min
Game 129: Keibert Ruiz Getting Called Up + Fedde Loses in NY
The Nats lost 9-4 to the Mets, but the big news of the day came during pregame as Keibert Ruiz will make his Washington debut behind the plate on Monday night. Al & Tim react to the mildly surprising news that Ruiz will get called up before the calendar flips to September. Was this decision made for baseball reasons, box office reasons, or both? (16:20) Victor Robles yet again was not in the starting lineup,, are they giving up on him? Luis Garcia has struggled at the plate, can you count on hi