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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May 30, 2021 · 37 min
Game 48: Baserunning Blunder Really Hurts in 7 Inning Loss
The Nats lost 6-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader against Milwaukee. Al & Mark dissect the very costly baserunning miscue in the bottom of the 4th. Was the mistake made by Josh Bell, Jordy Mercer, or Bob Henley? (12:57) Ryan Zimmerman had two doubles and is crushing left-handed pitching. If there is any advice Nats Chat can give Davey Martinez, it's have Ryan Zimmerman hit against southpaws as much possible. (16:12) Trea Turner made two memorable plays Saturday night, one on the bases, the
May 30, 2021 · 23 min
Game 47: Corbin Digs An Early Hole the Bats Can't Overcome
The Nationals dropped the opener of a doubleheader 4-1 to the visiting Brewers. Mark & Al shine the light on Juan Soto's continuing slugging slump. His on-base and slugging percentage remain near mirror images of each other. Have we figured the source of these struggles? (12:50) Luis Garcia had an unusual early exit in the top of the 3rd due to cramping in his hamstring. Was the weather to blame for the mysterious injury? (14:48) Patrick Corbin's disappointing 2021 season continued as he yet a
May 28, 2021 · 34 min
Game 46: Offense Musters Only 2 Hits in Listless Loss
The Nats were shutout by Cincinnati 3-0 to lose the series. Al & Mark yet again need to focus on sleepy offensive output for Washington. Juan Soto had three hits in the series, but his lack of slugging remains a concern. As games like this continue to stack up, will this affect the status of the hitting coach? (13:46) Recap of Stephen Strasburg's start, that began by allowing a leadoff HR. How did his stuff look in his 2nd start since returning from the IL? (18:48) This begins our "Festivus" p
May 28, 2021 · 17 min
Game 45: Ross Excels on Wednesday, Bullpen Preserves Win on Thursday
The Nationals defeated the Reds 5-3 in a game that took two days to complete due to inclement weather on Wednesday evening. Al & Mark recap the victory where Joe Ross helped himself with his arm, bat, and glove in the first four innings. Will this keep him in the rotation when Erick Fedde returns to the roster? (4:32) The bullpen needed five men to seal the deal on Thursday afternoon. Were the Nats expecting more than two innings from Austin Voth? They then dissect the 8th inning where Tanner R
May 26, 2021 · 35 min
Game 44: Scherzer Beaten by 2 Cincy Solo Shots
The Nationals lost 2-1 at home to the Reds. Mark & Al open with a familiar 2021 theme, which is a struggling Washington offense. Is Juan Soto still not right? Why did Ryan Zimmerman pinch hit for Kyle Schwarber instead of Starlin Castro in the 9th? On the bright side, Josh Bell has raised his batting average 80 points in the past two weeks. (11:57) The Nationals wasted a solid pitching performance by Max Scherzer as he struck out nine. The hosts recap the ace's outing, as the two homers he allo
May 24, 2021 · 44 min
Game 43: Nats Rally Again to Sweep the O's
The Nationals held off the Orioles 6-5 to complete the three game sweep. Al & Mark look at how they overcame another disastrous top of the 1st with a heavy dose of early offense. They then put in perspective the recent hot streak for the previously maligned duo of Josh Bell & Kyle Schwarber. (12:21) Juan Soto did not run out a pop up with two outs that unexpectedly landed in fair territory and cost Washington a run. Mark gives his take on Davey Martinez admonishing his star player afterwards. D
May 23, 2021 · 39 min
Game 42: Zimmerman HRs & Sets Franchise Run Record in Comeback Win
The Nationals beat Baltimore 12-9 despite falling behind 5-0 in the 1st. Al & Mark open the discussion on Josh Harrison, who hit a grand slam that changed the game around in the 3rd, while also playing a new position in the field. (9:40) Ryan Zimmerman had a banner day between clubbing a 3 run HR to take Washington's first lead of the game and setting a franchise record for runs scored. The hosts point out that we are used to the fans asking Zim for curtain calls, but how much more these momen
May 22, 2021 · 37 min
Game 41: Strasburg Solid & Victorious in Return
The Nats held off Baltimore 4-2 on a beautiful Friday night in D.C. Mark & Al evaluate Stephen Strasburg's first start since returning from the IL; with the largest crowd of the season on-hand. Did Strasburg look like his usual self? (9:21) Josh Bell had his best night yet as a Nat, as he had three hits and also made a crucial defensive play to save a run in the 6th. The hosts focus on the important moment and what led to Bell making the heads-up play. Al then resurfaces his reasons as to why h
May 21, 2021 · 33 min
Game 40: Ross Lifted Early & Quarter Pole Report
The Nats were defeated 5-2 at the Cubs to wrap-up their road trip. Al & Mark evaluate where the 5th starter situation stands after Joe Ross is now 0-3 in four May starts. Will he get another start before Erick Fedde returns from the IL? There of course are updated gripes regarding the Washington offense. (9:48) The first quarter of the season is in the books and it certainly has been a disappointing start. The hosts run through where things stand and what adjustments should be considered for th
May 20, 2021 · 35 min
Game 39: Soto HRs, Turner Deja Vu, & Hand Hangs on
The Nats edged the Cubs 4-3 on a very active Wednesday in Chicago. Mark & Al analyze the controversial rule that led to Trea Turner being called out yet again for running inside the baseline. Davey Martinez, just like Game 6 in Houston, adamantly defended Turner and was ejected for doing his best impression of Lou Piniella. (11:44) Juan Soto hit his first homer in weeks, however he was thrown out for trying to steal second base at a crucial point in the 9th inning. Will this 3 hit game be the
May 19, 2021 · 34 min
Game 38: Bote HR off Harris Sinks the Nats
The Nationals lost 6-3 at the Cubs for a 2nd straight defeat. Al & Mark yet again have no choice but to talk about the struggling offense, as Washington stranded 11 men on base. Will things turnaround if Juan Soto continues to lack power? (13:16) A recap of Patrick Corbin's mediocre start, Al explains what "Corbin got BABIP'd" means. Focus turns to his battery mate Yan Gomes, who very quietly is having a strong season defensively. (22:48) A preview of Max Scherzer's Wednesday night start at Wr
May 18, 2021 · 33 min
Game 37: Lester & Schwarber's Spoiled Return to Wrigley
The Nats lost 7-3 as the Cubs hit Jon Lester hard in his return to Chicago. Mark & Al run-through the lefty's long evening despite being given a hero's welcome at Wrigley Field. (11:26) The offense had another low scoring game and the hosts discuss if fingers will start to get pointed at Kevin Long, the team's hitting coach. Why so many ground balls as opposed to utilizing launch angle? (18:07) Trea Turner hit his 10th homer of the season and his future value seems to go up by the day. What so
May 17, 2021 · 35 min
Game 36: Fedde Makes His Case with a Shutout Win
The Nats blanked Arizona 3-0 behind Erick Fedde's best start of his career. Al & Mark look at what this outing means for Fedde as Stephen Strasburg, fresh off a solid AAA rehab start, is expected to rejoin the team soon. Who is the odd man out in the rotation, Fedde or Joe Ross? Or will they go with a six man rotation for the time being? NATS CHAT T-SHIRTS ARE ON SALE: https://natschatpodcast.square.site/ (17:57) The Nats were held scoreless until the 8th inning. The hosts re-evaluate who exa
May 16, 2021 · 28 min
Game 35: Ross Allows 8 Runs & Schwarber Strands 8 in Blowout Defeat
The Nats lost 11-4 in Arizona as Joe Ross had his second worst outing of the season. Mark & Tim recap the Saturday evening as Ross ran into trouble right away and the Nationals couldn't take advantage of facing journeyman Seth Frankoff. (6:08) Juan Soto had 2 hits and 2 RBIs, which has been a rarity for him in May. Could a game like this break him out of his "slump"? Plus, should Kyle Schwarber remain his protection in the lineup? (17:19) Stephen Strasburg is starting in AAA Sunday. How close
May 15, 2021 · 30 min
Game 34: Nats Slug Their Way to 17 Runs in Arizona
The Nationals routed Arizona 17-2 to open up a seven game road trip. Mark & Al for a change have plenty of offensive contributors to run through, including Yan Gomes, who had five hits and was a homer shy of the cycle. Kyle Schwarber homered for the 2nd straight game and Josh Bell was part a trio of players who had 3 RBIs. (16:52) Max Scherzer only pitched five scoreless innings and now leads the NL in strikeouts. Two factors led to his early exit, one was the lopsided score, and the other is s
May 14, 2021 · 33 min
Game 33: Corbin & A Pair of 1st Inning HRs End the Skid
The Nationals ended their 4 game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over Philadelphia. Al & Mark compliment Patrick Corbin, who has turned his season around lately, and had his best start of the year. Are we seeing a return of "2019 Corbin?" The Bullpen also featured some arms in new roles as Daniel Hudson came in the middle of the 8th to save the day and Austin Voth pitched a high leverage 9th inning. Where does Voth rank in the bullpen hierarchy? (13:20) Al compares Davey Martinez's lineup to V
May 13, 2021 · 27 min
Game 32: Another Blown Save for Hand
The Nats cough up a late lead and fall 5-2 in extras to the Phillies. Mark & Al analyze Brad Hand's second blown save in less than a week, which led to the first team meeting of the season. What will come from the message Davey Martinez delivered to the club postgame? Lost in the shuffle of the loss is the fact that Jon Lester pitched well, and has had a quality starts each time out this season. (14:10) The offensive struggles continued as Washington was 1 for 13 with RISP, stranding 12 men ove
May 12, 2021 · 41 min
Game 31: Bell Strands Six + Jordan Zimmermann Retirement
The Nats lost 6-2 to the Phillies as they left ten men on base. Mark & Al focus on Josh Bell, who is hitting .134, and wonder how much longer he can hit behind Juan Soto. When will see Ryan Zimmerman, who is hitting .310, get more starts at first base? (17:21) A recap of Erick Fedde's start as he allowed three runs in five innings. Any cause for concern that he has had two straight subpar outings? The hosts preview Jon Lester vs. Zack Wheeler on Wednesday night as Wheeler's last start was a com
May 10, 2021 · 38 min
Game 30: Brad Hand Struggles Again
The Nats lost 3-2 at Yankee Stadium as Brad Hand had a difficult 9th inning for the 2nd straight day. Mark & Al recap the frustrating series filled with missed opportunities and discuss who should have taken the mound in the 9th. Not all was lost for the bullpen, as Austin Voth took full advantage of his first high leverage situation. They also look at Joe Ross, who pitched his third consecutive quality start. (18:55) The Nationals offense had more negatives than positives in the majority of th
May 9, 2021 · 33 min
Game 29: Bullpen Bungles Max's Masterpiece
The Nats lost 4-3 in extras at Yankee Stadium in their most frustrating loss of the season. Al & Tim open with the Washington bullpen blowing it's first game and all the late game decisions associated with it. Who should have started the 10th inning on the mound? Should Daniel Hudson have stayed on to pitch the 9th? (8:11) Max Scherzer was brilliant again as he struck out 14 Yankees, including ten in the first four innings. Was this outing more impressive than last weekend against Miami? The ho