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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February 20 · 43 min
Crews, Abrams & Cavalli Have Butera Excited
Grapefruit League play is just days away. Mark (From West Palm) & Al open with Dylan Crews, who is looking to bounce back after an injury filled rookie season. Crews showed signs of power last year with 10 homers, but his average was barely over the "Mendoza Line". (10:10) Blake Butera was singing the praises of CJ Abrams and expects him to return to All-Star form. The hosts also dive into the notion of him not returning to the trade market until this summer despite many expecting Abramsto be
February 13 · 41 min
A New Era in West Palm
"Pitchers & Catchers" (and a lot more) have reported to West Palm Beach to begin the 2026 Nationals campaign. Mark (Live from Florida) & Al discuss the initial impressions of a camp run by Paul Toboni & Blake Butera. Hear what the reaction has been to the upgrade in technology and infrastructure behind the scenes. (14:00) Washington signed veteran starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to a one-year deal around $2M. Mikolas has not had a ERA below 4.00 since 2022, but consistently starts over 30 ga
February 9 · 10 min
MARK IS LAUNCHING NATS JOURNAL!
For all of those wondering what Mark's next step would be after MASN, here is your answer! Mark tells Al about natsjournal.com and how to subscribe in this quick episode before "Pitchers & Catchers" get going this week.
January 24 · 47 min
Paul Toboni Joins Nats Chat to Talk Gore Trade & More
Just one day after making his first big move as Nationals President of Baseball Operations, Paul Toboni joins the podcast for a wide ranging conversation. Mark & Al begin by asking him about trading MacKenzie Gore to Texas in exchange for five prospects. The discussion then touches upon Free Agency, 1B, building a bullpen, CJ Abrams' future, working with ownership, and more. Stay tuned after the 25 minute interview to hear the hosts give their thoughts on the Gore deal and other observations f
January 22 · 4 min
QUICK REACTION: GORE TRADED TO TEXAS
Tim Shovers with a quick reaction to the news that MacKenzie Gore has been traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for 5 prospects. Mark & Al will have a full episode out Saturday morning.
January 15 · 30 min
EMERGENCY PODCAST: The MASN Era is Officially Over
The Nationals announced on Wednesday that the era of games airing on MASN is over and that the next chapter of local broadcasts will be on the newly formed "Nationals TV". Al & Tim explain what this means and how this will align with some other MLB team's broadcast situation. (06:00) A refresher on the decade plus litigation between the Orioles & Nats over MASN that suddenly ended last year. (12:15) How will the new broadcast compare to its predecessor? (21:15) Alexa Datt has reportedly been
Dec 12, 2025 · 44 min
Winter Meetings Recap
The new era of Nationals leadership just completed their first time representing the franchise at the annual MLB Winter Meetings. Mark (After returning from Orlando) & Al begin with the results of the Draft, where they were not allowed to end up with a top 10 pick. The Nationals had the ping pong balls bounce their way initially, but due to the leagues rules they will settle for #11 overall. (06:00) Evaluating the chances that MacKenzie Gore and/or CJ Abrams get traded this off-season. (15:0
Dec 7, 2025 · 3 min
NATS ADDRESS CATCHER IN DEALING FERRER TO SEATTLE
Quick recap of the Nationals trade over the weekend with Seattle by Tim Shovers. Closer Jose. A Ferrer was sent to the Mariners in exchange for catcher Harry Ford & RHP Isaac Lyon. Get up to speed on the first trade executed by Paul Toboni. **Next full episode with Mark & Al will be Friday morning December 12th after the MLB Winter Meetings take place in Orlando, FL.
Nov 18, 2025 · 51 min
Blake Butera Introduced to D.C.
The Nationals introduced their new 33-year-old Manager Blake Butera on Monday afternoon to the local media. Mark & Al react to the press conference where Butera was joined on stage by Paul Toboni and fielded questions about becoming the youngest MLB Manager in a half century. (17:00) An early look at Butera's coaching staff, which will include Sean Doolittle. (24:35) Luis Garcia Jr., Jake Irvin, and Riley Adams are among the non-tender candidates as it relates to upcoming Arbitration eligi
Nov 4, 2025 · 4 min
QUICK RECAP OF TOBONI CONFERENCE CALL ON BUTERA
Tim Shovers provides a short recap of Paul Toboni's Conference Call on Tuesday to address the hiring of Blake Butera as new manager. Butera and his wife welcomed a child the same day he accepted the job and his intro press conference is expected to be held later this month in D.C.
Oct 31, 2025 · 36 min
Nats Reportedly Tab 33-Year-Old Blake Butera as Manager
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Nationals hired the youngest MLB Manager in over 50 years. Mark & Al discuss the news that Washington will soon name 33-year-old Blake Butera as the team's next skipper. The surprising hire comes from the Rays organization and his only previous managerial experience was in Low-A. Butera was drafted in the 35th Round out of Boston College but became a minor league manager at age 25. (14:10) A look at some of the other candidates in the interview process. (2
Oct 8, 2025 · 1 min
PODCAST PARTY THIS FRIDAY AT 7PM
Tim Shovers with a quick reminder about the end of season Podcast Party. This Friday night, October 10th, at 7pm at Walter's Sports Bar in Navy Yard.
Oct 1, 2025 · 40 min
Paul Toboni Introduced as President of Baseball Operations
The Nationals began a new era on Wednesday morning as Paul Toboni was officially introduced as the new President of Baseball Operations. Mark & Al react to Toboni's first time meeting with the D.C. media in the press room at the ballpark. Toboni was joined on the podium by three members of ownership in Mark Lerner, Ed Cohen, and Robert Tanenbaum. (07:00) Spending by ownership was brought up multiple times during the press conference. (15:35) Toboni's answer on if he will hire a General Ma
Sep 29, 2025 · 36 min
Shutout One Last Time
The Nats closed their last place season on a sour note as they were shutout 8-0 on Sunday afternoon by the visiting White Sox. Mark & Al put the 66 win campaign under a wide-angle lens on the heels of their 14th shutout defeat. It should be a more active October than the past few years as they remake the front office and likely will make a change at manager. (13:20) Hear what Dylan Crews said afterwards as he seems to be gearing up for more of a leadership role on the team. (21:15) James Wood
Sep 28, 2025 · 34 min
Wood Hits #31 in Win
The Nats overcame an early four-run deficit to edge the White Sox 6-5 on Saturday afternoon. Mark & Al begin with an ode to Bob Carpenter, who is calling his final Nats games this weekend for MASN. Carpenter was honored prior to the game after 20 years of being the TV voice of the team. (10:00) James Wood hit his 31st homer to take the lead for good in the bottom of the 7th. Wood has four homers this week to end his season on a high note. (15:00) "Mr. September" was at again as Daylen Lile bo
Sep 27, 2025 · 30 min
Garcia Jr. Homers 3 Times in Seesaw Loss
The Nats rallied all the way back from a seven run deficit, but Jose A. Ferrer could not close the door in the 10-9 loss to the White Sox. Mark & Al gather after maybe the craziest game of the season that saw the Nationals hit six homers, but also commit four errors. (06:00) Luis Garcia Jr. hit a trio of homers for the first time in his career. Garcia's third homer of the night briefly put them up 9-8 in the bottom of the 8th. The last time Washington lost when a player hit three homers in a
Sep 25, 2025 · 38 min
Nats Reportedly Pick a New Head of Baseball Ops While Wood Homers Twice in Win
The Nats won 4-3 in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, but the major news came from ESPN's Jeff Passan. Mark & Al spend plenty of time reacting to the report that Paul Toboni, Red Sox Asst. GM, will take over as Washington's new head of Baseball Operations. Toboni is 35 years old and has spent the last decade working in the Red Sox Front Office. (21:10) James Wood homered twice to reach the 30 home run milestone. Wood homered as many times this series (three) as he had in the past two months.
Sep 24, 2025 · 36 min
Wood Homers in Loss to the Braves
The Nats fell short 3-2 on Tuesday night as the Braves have now won ten games in a row. Al & Tim begin with James Wood's 28th homer of the season, just his 4th since the All-Star Break. Wood did not strikeout and remains eight Ks shy of Mark Reynolds' single season record. (08:00) Luis Garcia Jr. played 1B on Tuesday as it seems like his days at 2B are coming to an end. Daylen Lile was also in the lineup just a few days after exiting Sunday's game early due to a knee contusion. (15:10) The
Sep 23, 2025 · 33 min
Short Outing for Gore in Atlanta
The Nats were no match for the Braves in Monday's 11-5 loss. Al & Tim convene after the Nationals pitching staff needed six pitchers just to make it through six innings and combined for nine issued walks. (06:00) MacKenzie Gore was pulled in the top of the 3rd after having already thrown 71 pitches. The Braves lineup fouled off 24 of them and now Gore's ERA is up to 4.17. (09:00) The bullpen really struggled until Shinnosuke Ogasawara stabilzed the final few innings. Jackson Rutledge was t
Sep 22, 2025 · 26 min
Nats Add to the Mets Miserable September
The Nats took the weekend series in Queens as they held off the Mets 3-2 on Sunday afternoon. Before we get to Mark & Al's analysis, Executive Producer Tim Shovers comes on to deliver an annual end of season message. If you would like to donate to the podcast, visit natschatpodcast.com and click on Merch to get directed to our Donation page. (04:30) Daylen Lile exited the game early after crashing into the side wall on a sliding catch in the bottom of the 3rd. Mark was at the game in New Yo