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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Jul 11, 2021 · 36 min
Game 88: Parra Error Leads to Another Bad Lester Start
The Nats lost 10-4 to the Giants for their third consecutive defeat. Al & Tim first off salute Joe Ross' father, Dr. Willie Ross, for assisting a choking woman at Oracle Park during the game by performing the heimlich maneuver. As for Baseball matters, Yan Gomes was placed on the IL due to an oblique strain, as the "Injury Rat" continues to rip it's way through the Washington clubhouse. (8:53) Jon Lester got shelled in another start as he didn't make it out of the 3rd inning. Is this his final
Jul 10, 2021 · 34 min
Game 87: Parra Tagged Out Twice at the Plate in Frustrating Loss
The Nats lost 5-3 in the series opener in San Francisco. Mark relays to Al his experience of listening to the game on the radio while driving up north for the All Star Break. As for the game, Gerardo Parra had a RBI double, but the rest of his evening did not go well. He was tagged out twice at home and hit into a double play with the bases loaded. Who's to blame? Baby Shark or Bobby Henley, the third base coach? (14:10) Yan Gomes exited the game early due to a pinch in his oblique. Tres Barrer
Jul 9, 2021 · 32 min
Game 86: Nats Blow Eight Run Lead in Gut Punch Defeat
The Nats lost 9-8 in San Diego despite leading 8-0 early in the game. Al & Mark open the podcast with the stunning collapse by Max Scherzer in the 4th inning and the curious decision to pitch Sam Clay the bottom of the 9th. Why did Scherzer look so good to start and then immediately fall apart in the 4th? (18:45) What makes the loss sting even more is that the offense came out on fire for another game in this series. Trea Turner went deep twice and is already close to a career high for homers i
Jul 8, 2021 · 33 min
Game 85: Soto HR Sets the Tone in Rout
The Nats pounded the Padres 15-5 after Juan Soto hit a 3 run HR in the 1st inning. Mark & Al salute the offense, which had many contributors on Wednesday night. (7:08) Juan Soto will be participating in the Home Run Derby next week, as quasi predicted by Mark a few episodes ago. However, he will have to face Shohei Ohtani in Round One at Coors Field. (12:31) Josh Harrison had another big game this series as he notched a trio of hits. Plus, will Josh Bell play some outfield while Kyle Schwarbe
Jul 7, 2021 · 31 min
Game 84: Fedde Returns But Takes the Loss
The Nats lost 7-4 in San Diego as Erick Fedde returned from the IL. Al & Mark assess the current state of the rotation with Fedde's return. Who will be the odd man out between Jon Lester & Paolo Espino? (8:47) Analysis of Fedde's start after missing nearly two weeks due to an oblique injury. Should he have had a rehab start before taking the mound for Washington? (14:15) The Nationals flashed plenty of leather Tuesday night, especially Trea Turner & Victor Robles. Defensively on the other side
Jul 6, 2021 · 36 min
Game 83: Turner Homers in Return & Bullpen Gets the Job Done
The Nats won 7-5 in San Diego to snap their four game losing streak. Mark & Al stayed up late to catch you up on what happened out West. Trea Turner had an immediate impact as he homered on the first pitch he saw after missing the entire Dodgers series due to a jammed finger. (6:30) Josh Bell had monster evening at the plate as he had three hits, including a late go-ahead homer. Mark points out how strong Bell's offensive numbers have been since mid May. (9:32) Alcides Escobar, filling in at s
Jul 5, 2021 · 38 min
Game 82: Injury Riddled Roster Swept by the Dodgers + All Stars Announced
The Nats lost on July 4th to the Dodgers 5-1 for a fourth straight defeat to end the homestand. Mark & Al digest all the obstacles that the Nationals had to fight through while facing the defending World Series Champs. Should Trea Turner have been placed on the IL to create a roster spot off the bench? (14:23) Juan Soto showed more frustration after a late at bat on Sunday as he hit .250 in the series. Mark has an offbeat idea to maybe turn around Soto's 2nd half of the season. (22:32) Joe Ros
Jul 4, 2021 · 35 min
Game 81: Electric Night Turns into a Whimper After Loss & Cancellation of Fireworks
The Nats lost 5-3 to the Dodgers for their third straight defeat despite a sellout crowd. Al & Mark begin with the growing list of injury updates. Kyle Schwarber has officially been sent to the IL and so has Alex Avila after playing the infield on Thursday. How much can their depth be continually tested, especially as Trea Turner remains out of the lineup? (9:38) Al was near apoplectic after seeing Jon Lester pinch hit for a second straight game. Why three games into the series does Washington
Jul 3, 2021 · 41 min
Game 80: Schwarber Injured & Bullpen Collapses in the 7th
The Nats lost 10-5 at home to the Dodgers on an evening filled with negatives. Al & Mark run through them all, headlined by Kyle Schwarber leaving the game in the 2nd inning with an apparent hamstring injury. Schwarber's reaction leads one to believe it might be serious. (7:51) Max Scherzer pitched well and handed the bullpen a 3-1 lead after six innings. Should he have tried to pitch the 7th considering the current state of the 'pen? (16:33) The bullpen coughed up the lead and allowed NINE R
Jul 2, 2021 · 34 min
Game 79: Muncy Grand Slam The Difference in Rain Shortened Affair
The Nats lost to the Dodgers 6-2 in a five inning game that was called early due to inclement weather in D.C. Al & Mark look at the positives associated with the back half of the game not being played, considering all the circumstances in play. Given the incoming weather situation, should Brad Hand have pitched the top of the fifth? (5:44) Due to an incredible rash of injuries, Alex Avila had to start at second base. Mark explains all the dominoes that fell in order for the backup catcher to pl
Jul 1, 2021 · 58 min
Game 78: Turner Hits for the Cycle + Chad Cordero Interview
The Nats pounded Tampa Bay 15-6 to complete a two game sweep and their fourth straight win. Mark & Al chronicle Trea Turner hitting for the cycle on his 28th birthday and doing so for the third time in the past five years. However, there is a downside as he jammed his finger while sliding into third base to complete the cycle. Will it affect his availability Thursday vs. LA? (15:32) The Nationals have beaten up on some of the top teams in Baseball as of late. Their upcoming schedule prior to th
Jun 30, 2021 · 44 min
Game 77: Schwarber Does it Again & the Nats are Above .500
The Nats edged Tampa Bay 4-3 for a third consecutive win. Al & Mark somehow find a new way to analyze Kyle Schwarber's recent run as he now has homered 16 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 GAMES. Has he entered the NL MVP Race? Listen for what Al explains by "Air Matters" as it relates to the D.C. summer. (14:31) Juan Soto & Victor Robles each had significant homers on Tuesday night. It was Soto's first homer at Nationals Park this year and Robles went yard for the first time all season. Why was Robles give
Jun 29, 2021 · 45 min
Game 76: Schwarber Crushes Two More As Espino Does His Part
The Nats doubled up the Mets 8-4 as they slugged five homers and Paolo Espino earned his second career win. Al & Mark start with Kyle Schwarber continuing his historic power surge as he now has gone deep FIFTEEN TIMES IN THE LAST 17 GAMES. He now shares company with Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Frank Howard based upon the recent stats he's amassed. (15:02) Gerardo Parra picked up where he left off last week vs. the Mets as he homered and doubled. What makes his plays so infectious when he is on
Jun 27, 2021 · 40 min
Game 75: Turner & Bell Homer to Salvage the Split in Miami
The Nationals beat the Marlins 5-1 as Max Scherzer won his seventh game of the season. Mark & Al recap the lineup's performance as Trea Turner & Josh Bell turned the tied in the 6th inning, and the hosts point of how dependent Washington is on the long ball. Josh Harrison stepped up while hitting fifth, as he had a RBI single in the first inning. (11:03) Juan Soto had multiple extra base hits this weekend in Miami, but it's been almost three weeks since his last home run. Is it due to the shoul
Jun 27, 2021 · 31 min
Game 74: Bats Can't Do Enough Against Marlins Rookie
The Nats lost 3-2 in Miami for a second straight defeat. Al recaps the offensive struggles versus Marlins rookie Zach Thompson, who was only making his fourth career Major League start. Starlin Castro however has been swinging much better ever since returning from the Restricted List. (14:21) Patrick Corbin tagged with the loss in his uneven start. He had rough first inning, but then settled down to retired ten in a row. What to make of Corbin on Saturday? (20:22) A preview of Max Scherzer tak
Jun 26, 2021 · 37 min
Game 73: Lester Clunker Snaps the Win Streak
The Nationals were drubbed 11-2 in Miami; ending a string of five straight victories. Mark & Al discuss Jon Lester's worst outing since joining Washington. What was different Friday night from his previous solid start? Why didn't Davey Martinez go to Jefry Rodriguez earlier in order to eat more innings? (12:01) Mark gives an update on Josh Bell's MRI and what his status is for this weekend. (16:05) Kyle Schwarber hit another HR, he now has 13 HOMERS IN THE LAST 14 GAMES. The guys run through a
Jun 25, 2021 · 32 min
Game 72: Schwarber & Ross Propel the Nats to .500
The Nationals beat the Marlins 7-3 for a fifth straight victory. Al & Mark marvel at how Kyle Schwarber hit two more bombs, a historic run of 12 HOMERS IN 13 GAMES! Is the best stretch a Nat has ever had at the plate? (9:53) Juan Soto had a pair of RBI doubles, showing some rarely seen power of late. How's the 1-2-3 punch looking at the top of the lineup right now? (16:35) Joe Ross bounced back and threw seven shutout innings. Why are Ross outings all over the map. Plus, Mark points out a loom
Jun 24, 2021 · 47 min
Game 71: Late Offensive Explosion Leads to 9th Inning Rally
The Nats emerged victorious in a seesaw affair 13-12 over the Phillies. Mark & Al aren't quite sure where to start so the conversation begins with the decisive 9th inning. What would have happened if Jordy Mercer had to exit the game? Was it the right move to have Alex Avila sacrifice bunt? No Starlin Castro jokes today as he was the hero with the 2 run single in the 9th. (8:01) Josh Bell hit a grand slam which put Washington ahead and his skipper said afterward, "That made him a National". Kyl
Jun 23, 2021 · 35 min
Game 70: Scherzer Undresses Girardi & The Phils
The Nats beat the Phillies 3-2 on a tension filled evening in Philadelphia. Max Scherzer made his dissatisfaction quite clear with the new protocol of checking pitchers for sticky substances. His aggravation escalated as Phillies Manager Joe Girardi requested a third check, which led to fireworks between the two. Oh by the way, Washington is now tied for second place in the NL East, as they have won eight of the past nine games. (18:40) Brad Hand made his fourth appearance in the past five days
Jun 21, 2021 · 34 min
Game 69: Baby Shark Return Highlighted by Schwarber's 3 Bombs
The Nats defeated the Mets 5-2 to take the series and close out the home stand with an 8-3 record. Mark & Al capture the avalanche of good vibes on South Capitol Street Sunday. Kyle Schwarber went deep three times, to punctuate an all-time stretch, as he homered NINE TIMES in the last ten games. (12:03) For the 1st time since October of 2019, Gerardo Parra returned to Nationals Park. Not only did "Baby Shark" resume, but he had a pinch hit double in the bottom of the 7th that led to crucial i