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 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
Aug 29, 2021 · 39 min
Game 128: Conforto Late HR the Difference + Cavalli Brief AAA Debut
The Nats lost 5-3 to the Mets as the bullpen relinquished the lead in the 7th. Al & Mark recap the solid start by Sean Nolin, who lasted until the sixth inning before the hosts dive into the pen. What to make of Nolin after he pitched well and lasted more than five frames? (14:32) Lane Thomas got the nod in CF over Victor Robles and had a pair of doubles while hitting leadoff. Do we have ourselves a "developing situation" long term in CF? (19:55) Alcides Escobar reminded New Yorkers of another
Aug 28, 2021 · 36 min
Game 127: Paolo & 'Pen Extend the Mets Misery
The Nats won 2-1 in New York to open a three game series. Mark & Al have plenty of praise to heap on the five pitchers who took the mound for Washington and they begin with closer Kyle Finnegan. (10:27) Paolo Espino struck out seven, singled, scored a run, and earned the win while pitching five innings. Why does he seem to have so much success against the Mets? Should he have come back out to pitch the sixth? (19:43) The Nationals struggled at the plate as they struck out seventeen times. Why
Aug 27, 2021 · 42 min
Game 126: Corbin Takes a Big Step Backwards & Late Rally Falls Short
The Nats lost 7-5 in Miami as Patrick Corbin only lasted three innings. Mark & Al dissect the latest with the southpaw, who took a major step back after pitching so well in Milwaukee last weekend. What are the Nats options on what to do with Corbin? Could they send him down to AAA for a few outings? (16:12) Patrick Murphy struck out a pair in his Nationals debut. Hear what Mark thought of his "stuff". (20:01) Juan Soto drew his 100th walk of the season and crushed a 2 run HR. Listen to how imp
Aug 26, 2021 · 44 min
Game 125: Gray vs. Cabrera Meets the Hype, but Miami Prevails in Extras
The Nats lost 4-3 in Miami in ten innings despite briefly holding the lead in the 7th. Mark & Al recap the stud pitching match-up between Josiah Gray & Edward Cabrera, both of which are top 100 prospects per MLB Pipeline. Gray was solid yet again for Washington, as he has been so far in all five starts since the trade. (10:33) Keibert Ruiz has hit four homers in his past two games for AAA Rochester. Will the promotion of Cade Cavalli to Rochester delay Ruiz getting called up to Washington? (20
Aug 25, 2021 · 45 min
Game 124: Fedde's Career Night + Cavalli Promoted to AAA
The Nats beat the Marlins 5-1 as Erick Fedde struck out a career high ten batters. Al & Mark evaluate Fedde's big evening and find out how Sam Clay of all people played a big role in the successful start. Should we be excited about the outing or affix an asterisk to it because it was against last place Miami? (10:31) The bullpen saw a flurry of roster moves including Patrick Murphy & Clay being called up and Gabe Klobosits being sent down to AAA Rochester. Hear what there is too look for from M
Aug 23, 2021 · 41 min
Game 123: Too Many Walks + Storytime on D.C. Earthquake Anniversary
The Nats lost 7-3 in Milwaukee in another game that had a glacial pace of play. Mark & Al continue to praise Lane Thomas as he had another impressive game while patrolling CF and hitting leadoff. Carter Kieboom also had a solid Sunday, including on the defensive end. (19:30) Sean Nolin and the bullpen tied a franchise record by issuing 11 walks as the pitching was very difficult to watch this weekend. Austin Voth returned to pitch a scoreless frame, where does he fit into the new bullpen hierar
Aug 22, 2021 · 40 min
Game 122: Yelich Slams the Win Streak Shut in Four Hour Affair
The Nationals lost 9-6 in Milwaukee to halt the three game win streak. Al laments how the game took four hours and eighteen minutes. What can be done to avoid interminable games like this one? (5:20) Lane Thomas was given a prominent role in the lineup card as the leadoff hitter in CF. He backed up the assignment by impressing with his bat, speed, and arm. A few other young guys made contributions as well on Saturday. (14:57) The bullpen had two disastrous innings in the 5th & the 8th. Al expl
Aug 21, 2021 · 41 min
Game 121: Corbin's Gem Leads to 3rd Straight Win
The Nats won 4-1 in Milwaukee for their third consecutive victory. Al & Mark finally have an opportunity to praise Patrick Corbin, who was fantastic against the first place Brewers. How did the Nationals possibly "fix his glitch"? (10:24) The bullpen had a good evening from three different relievers. Is it OK to start feeling good about this young 'pen? (16:28) Many young guys stepped up Friday night including Riley Adams and Lane Thomas, who combined for 3 RBIs. It was Adams' fourth straight
Aug 19, 2021 · 47 min
Game 120: Gray Looks Good & the Nats Hand Revenge to Their Ex Closer
The Nats topped the Blue Jays 8-5 to complete the two game sweep. Al & Mark assess Josiah Gray's solid outing that lasted six innings. The only blemish on Gray's resume so far has been giving up solo HRs, of which he allowed two more on Wednesday. Gray did more than just pitch well as he had his first career hit and also made a nice play on a bunt attempt that led to a double play. (9:29) The bullpen for the most part had a good game except for Ryne Harper who very quickly gave up the lead, cos
Aug 18, 2021 · 54 min
Game 119: Adams & Co. Double Up the Jays
The Nationals snapped their seven game losing streak with a 12-6 victory over Toronto. Mark & Al look Riley Adams who dominated his former organization with three hits, including a HR. As Adams has shown promise at the plate, it provides an opportunity to handicap what the catcher situation is between Adams, Barrera, and Keibert Ruiz. (8:57) Yadiel Hernandez homered to open the scoring. Where might he fit in for the Nats in 2022? (17:17) Luis Garcia made an excellent play in the field, but als
Aug 16, 2021 · 46 min
Game 118: Ross' Elbow to the IL & Skid Hits 7
The Nats lost 6-5 to Atlanta for a seventh straight defeat, but the main story Sunday stemmed from pregame. Mark & Al react to the news that Joe Ross is back on the IL due to a partial UCL tear in his elbow, which could possibly lead to another Tommy John Surgery. What might this mean for the team's rotation and also the future of Ross' career? (16:54) The Nationals were more competitive than Saturday's rout, but still came up just short. There were some bright spots, including Carter Kieboom a
Aug 15, 2021 · 41 min
Game 117: Corbin's ERA Now Above 6.00 After Rout
The Nationals were pulverized 12-2 by Atlanta as Patrick Corbin's ERA is now a Major League worst 6.04 among qualifying starters. Al & Mark look at the flurry of losing in the past month and a half and wonder if 100 losses this season is now in play as they are now tied for last place in the division. (7:48) Patrick Corbin had another poor outing and is on his way to having the worst season any Nationals starter has ever had. What is the solution since his contract has three years remaining? Wh
Aug 14, 2021 · 28 min
Game 116: Gray Dazzles Early But Gives up a Trio of Solo HRs
The Nats lost 4-2 to the Braves in a game that started three hours later than originally scheduled. Mark & Tim breakdown Josiah Gray's outing that was fantastic early on, but was sullied by a flurry of solo HRs that put Atlanta on top. Should he have been sent back out for the 7th inning? (11:10) The offense squandered many opportunities Friday night as they came up empty three times when they had two men on/ no outs. Josh Bell also was easily thrown out at home on a questionable send by Bob He
Aug 13, 2021 · 27 min
Games 114/115: Swept in New York
The Nats lost both games of their doubleheader to the Mets. Al opens with putting into perspective just how much the Nationals have struggled in the past month and a half. They entered July 2 games over .500 and now are 15 games below that threshold. (6:00) He then dives into the state of the bullpen, which has no anchor to it. Kyle Finnegan gave up the game sealing HR to Pete Alonso and Tanner Rainey also struggled in his brief return to the majors. Plus, an up and down outing for Erick Fedde,
Aug 12, 2021 · 42 min
Game 113: Soto 3 Hits In Loss & Cavalli Throws a Shutout
The Nationals lost 8-7 to the Mets in a game that began on Tuesday night and ended Wednesday afternoon. Mark & Al respond to the only game played as the evening portion of the quasi doubleheader was rained out and instead we will have a true doubleheader on Thursday. (5:48) Juan Soto returned to the starting lineup from his knee issue and had three hits, including a first inning HR. The hosts point out just how solid of a season he is actually having at the plate, which might catch many Nats fa
Aug 11, 2021 · 30 min
Rain Delay Edition: Jim Callis Interview on Nationals Prospects
The Nats game was suspended by rain in the 2nd inning in New York as they lead 3-1 over the Mets. Given the rainout, we decided to bring you a special edition featuring an interview with the incomparable Jim Callis of MLB.com and MLB Pipeline. Jim knows more than anyone when it comes to prospects, so no better person to hear from about Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Cade Cavalli, Brady House, and more. We even have a Kumar Rocker mention by Jim. The Nationals game will resume at 4:10PM on Wednesda
Aug 9, 2021 · 38 min
Game 112: Zimmerman Gives His Take on Corbin's Continuing Struggles
The Nats lost 5-4 in Atlanta as Patrick Corbin gave up two more homers in defeat. Mark & Al react to another disappointing outing for Corbin as he flirts with an ERA of six this season. The hosts then respond to Ryan Zimmerman's postgame comments as to why he thinks the lefty hasn't been the same pitcher since October of 2019. (15:38) Juan Soto was again limited to pinch hitting, which led to Josh Bell patrolling RF on Sunday. Will Bell continue to periodically play in the outfield since Zimm
Aug 8, 2021 · 37 min
Game 111: Josiah Gray Throws 10 Strikeouts & Riley Adams HR Stuns Atlanta
The Nats rallied in Atlanta for a 3-2 victory to end their five game losing streak. Al & Mark react to the ninth inning where new acquisition Riley Adams hit a go ahead 2 run homer off of Braves closer Will Smith. (7:27) Josiah Gray was terrific on the mound as he had 10 Ks in 5 IP. How excited should Nationals fans be after an outing like this? Should Gray have stayed in the game to pitch the 6th? (19:12) Juan Soto did not start for a second straight game, but did pinch hit in the 6th. When s
Aug 7, 2021 · 46 min
Game 110: Soto Sits Due to Knee & Update from AAA
The Nats lost their fifth straight as the Braves beat them 8-4 in Atlanta. Mark & Al discuss the decision to rest Juan Soto as he tweaked his knee on Thursday. How cautious will Washington be before he returns? (8:35) Carter Kieboom had another RBI and has nine hits already in August. How encouraged should Nationals fan be? (19:29) Erick Fedde could not maintain a 5th inning lead and his evening was cut short after allowing five runs. Which is the real Fedde? The pitcher from earlier this sea