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 14, 2021 · 27 min
Game 8: Strasburg Struggles in St. Louis
The Nats were routed 14-3 by the Cardinals Tuesday evening as Stephen Strasburg had one of his worst career starts, allowing 8 runs in 4+ innings. Al & Mark run through Strasburg's outing and the camera controversy in the tunnel that dominated the postgame conversation. Anything physically wrong with Strasburg or was it just poor mechanics? (13:37) The 5th inning was a nightmare for Washington reliever Luis Avilan and the guys recap the 9 run frame for the Cardinals. On the bright side, the bul
Apr 13, 2021 · 29 min
Game 7: New Lineup Ends the Skid
The Nationals topped St. Louis 5-2 as Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, and Josh Harrison returned to the field and added a much needed punch to the struggling offense. Mark & Al go through what we finally saw from the intended Opening Day lineup and the positive trickle down effect to pinch hitting options. (13:16) A breakdown of Nats pitching on Monday night, starting with Erick Fedde who was much more effective than his last outing. Did we also just see what Davey Martinez's preferred late inning b
Apr 12, 2021 · 26 min
Game 6: Kershaw & Co. Extend the Offensive Woes
The Nationals were swept over the weekend in L.A., and were shutout in the series finale 3-0 for a fifth consecutive defeat. Clayton Kershaw blanked the struggling offense, despite a strong outing by Max Scherzer. Al & Mark shine a spotlight on how Washington has been held scoreless 3 times in their first week, and discuss how much of it is related to them being shorthanded. Just how much bad luck has the franchise been dealt so far in the young season? (13:17) Scherzer was impressive and did
Apr 11, 2021 · 33 min
Game 5: Corbin Hit Hard in 4th Straight Loss
The Nationals fell 9-5 at the Dodgers as Patrick Corbin's season debut did not make it a full 5 innings. Al & Mark dig into his start and wonder how much cause for concern there should be due to the decreased velocity on his fastball. Is it rust or a continuation from his last season? (15:30) L.A. swelled their lead in the 7th on a liner that got past a diving Andrew Stevenson in the outfield. Should Stevenson have left his feet or approached it differently with the bases loaded? They then focu
Apr 10, 2021 · 35 min
Game 4: Shutout in L.A.
The Nationals were blanked 1-0 by the Dodgers in their first road game of the season. It was Washington's first time back in L.A. since the 2019 NLDS, and ironically the pregame festivities were marked by the Dodgers receiving their 2020 World Series rings with the Nats (and fans) there to watch. Mark & Al look at Victor Robles' crucial base-running miscue in the 8th with Trea Turner in the batter's box, and the extent to which it cost the team. While chatting on stolen base attempts, an examin
Apr 8, 2021 · 20 min
Game 3: Strasburg Gem Wasted
The Nationals were shutout 2-0 by Atlanta to lose both games of the Wednesday doubleheader. Mark & Al look at how the shorthanded lineup was unable to give Stephen Strasburg any help, despite his dominant day on the mound. Should Ryan Zimmerman have started both games to provide an offensive lift? (15:18) The guys close the episode by previewing the weekend series in Los Angeles and what to expect rotation-wise. Will any of the players that have been held out due to the virus return to the fiel
Apr 8, 2021 · 21 min
Game 2: Fedde Gets Hammered
The Nationals dropped the opener of their Wednesday doubleheader vs. Atlanta 7-6, as starting pitcher Erick Fedde was pulled in the 2nd inning. What led to the decision to hold Joe Ross until Friday night? Al & Mark give their stances on the 7 inning doubleheaders that were introduced last season before looking at what went wrong for Washington, despite getting to Max Fried in the bottom of the 1st. (11:52) They discuss the solid performance by the bullpen, headlined by southpaw Sam Clay, maki
Apr 7, 2021 · 33 min
Game 1: Soto Walks-off Atlanta
The Nats opened their 2021 season with a 6-5 victory over the Braves, capped by a Juan Soto walk-off hit. Al & Mark recap the very busy Opening Day in D.C., which included fans in the stands for the first time since Game 5 of the 2019 World Series. Mark gives a firsthand account of what the 5k attendance felt like, and the role they played in the rally. The guys also praise the contributions from a slew of Nationals not originally expected to be on the Big League roster. (17:31) A look at Max
Apr 2, 2021 · 36 min
Opening Day Delayed + Dr. Fauci Interview
Mark & Al break down the team’s postponement of Opening Day, why it happened, and when they expect the Nats to finally take the field in 2021. (21:41) For an update on the latest phase of the pandemic, the guys turn to expert (and Nats fan) Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID Director. He shares when fans might be able to return in larger numbers, when he started rooting for the Nationals, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 29, 2021 · 43 min
Season Preview: Kieboom Sent Down
In our final installment of Spring Training episodes, Al & Mark react to the news that Carter Kieboom will not begin the season on the Opening Day Roster. What happens at 2B as Starlin Castro moves over to 3B? They explain what the chances are of Kieboom getting called back up in the near future. (16:47) The guys look at the rest of the roster with updates on pitchers Stephen Strasburg, Jon Lester, and Will Harris' injury. How is the early season rotation plan shaping up? Plus, how the 1B option
Mar 24, 2021 · 38 min
Castro Instead of Kieboom at 3B?
On Tuesday, Starlin Castro got the start at 3B. Will he be at the Hot Corner on Opening Day instead of the struggling Carter Kieboom? (16:45) Mark & Al explain the significance of the Washington Post report that Erick Fedde no longer has minor league options. Will the team now have to decide between keeping him or Austin Voth? (24:48) Juan Soto and Trea Turner have not been slugging this Spring. The guys wonder if this is any cause for concern for the Nationals fans. (28:55) Finally, this week's
Mar 22, 2021 · 47 min
Interview with Max Scherzer, Opening Day Starter
Al & Mark are joined by three-time Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer to discuss fans returning to the stadium, how long he might pitch for, the future of the DH, and looming labor talks in the sport (23:51). The show leads off with news that Manager Davey Martinez named Scherzer his Opening Day starter where he will face the Mets Jacob deGrom (just like 2019). (14:53) The bullpen situation is murkier with the news that Will Harris has a blood clot in his throwing arm right as Tanner Rainey makes his
Mar 18, 2021 · 32 min
Should the Nats Have Been More Aggressive in Free Agency?
Al & Mark lead off with all you need to know regarding the top 4 starters and how the rotation is shaping up for the start of the season. Plus, as the focus on Carter Kieboom's Spring increases, Mark updates whether or not Luis Garcia will be playing in the Big Leagues this year. (9:20) Al asks if the Nats should have been more aggressive in Free Agency this offseason. Would George Springer have made financial sense? What sort of budget was GM Mike Rizzo working with? (17:44) Washington D.C. j
Mar 15, 2021 · 44 min
Strasburg Leaves Start Early
On Sunday, Stephen Strasburg left the mound early with a calf strain and is day to day. With just a few weeks left until Opening Day, Al & Mark dissect what this means for Strasburg and the rotation as a whole. (19:22) With Victor Robles' encouraging Spring at the plate, do the guys feel good about him as the 2021 leadoff hitter? And as Carter Kieboom struggles, what are the 3B options for the Nats as the season nears? (31:45) The Nationals are the only MLB team that don't know whether or not t
Mar 11, 2021 · 42 min
Will Soto or Turner sign an extension?
Starting off with a lot of rotation updates. Stephen Strasburg made his 2021 debut after barely pitching in 2020, Max Scherzer dominates the Cardinals, the 5th starter situation starts to crystallize, and a clarification on Jon Lester's surgery. (18:15) Mark & Al discuss the likelihood of stars Juan Soto and Trea Turner signing long-term extensions before becoming free agents. How will the Fernando Tatis Jr. deal affect their decisions? (28:20) DC Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke this week about the po
Mar 8, 2021 · 43 min
Surprising Release of Jeremy Jeffress
The Nats off day on Sunday got busy following news that reliever Jeremy Jeffress was released for unspecified "personnel reasons". Al & Mark discuss how it affects the current bullpen situation and give an update on Tanner Rainey. (13:48) The guys also evaluate how the present and future front-lines of the rotation are looking so far this Spring. Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, Cade Cavalli, and Jackson Rutledge have all finally taken the mound. (29:34) Last season, the Nats defense was the worst
Mar 4, 2021 · 48 min
Ryan Zimmerman Interview + Lester Latest
Mark & Al talk about the news from Florida of Jon Lester leaving camp for thyroid surgery, plus take a look at where the 3B position stands this Spring. Tune in to find out what Carter Kieboom now has in common with Cristian Guzman. (20:41) In news out of DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser denied the request to have fans at Nationals Park. Mark explains all the angles as the decision is expected to be reconsidered again later this month. When will fans finally be able to celebrate the World Series title i
Mar 1, 2021 · 40 min
Grapefruit League Opener Starts with... a Tie
We promised you in-depth discussion on the fifth starter on this podcast and that's exactly what we give you after Erick Fedde took the mound against the Cardinals in Jupiter, FL. Who has the inside track between him, Joe Ross, and Austin Voth? (11:07) Mark & Al react to the first lineup card of the season. Is it an indication of where Juan Soto might be slotted this year? What do they think of Victor Robles maybe hitting leadoff? (19:17) The guys give an update on Max Scherzer's ankle, when to
Feb 23, 2021 · 5 min
Welcome to Nats Chat!
Nats fans, we are excited to bring you "Nats Chat" podcast, a year-round podcast that will have episodes after every single game! Hosted by Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi. Mark of MASNsports.com, has been covering the team since it all began in 2005. Al has been talking baseball on the DMV airwaves for over 20 years, back when the Expos were still in Montreal. Enjoy this quick trailer, explaining what we are all about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices