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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Aug 30, 2025 · 32 min
12 Hits Yet Only 1 Run Scored
The Nats losing streak was extended to six after Friday night's 4-1 defeat by the visiting Rays. Al & Tim begin with the offense going 0 for 12 w/ RISP and not taking advantage of opportunities to score. The two worst offenders were Riley Adams (0 for 4) & Robert Hassell III (0 for 3). (06:25) Chris Johnson, Assistant Hitting Coach, was surprisingly ejected for barking at the umpire following an early crucial CJ Abrams strikeout to end a rally. (11:15) Drew Millas had season ending surgery
Aug 28, 2025 · 29 min
Embarrassed & Swept at Yankee Stadium
The losing streak is extended to five after the Nats were crushed 11-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. New York hit six homers in the series finale and out-homered Washington 10-2 in the three game series. (06:30) Cade Cavalli fell apart in the bottom of the 3rd as he gave up a trio of homers and seven earned runs in his outing. The Yanks scored nine runs in that frame, which is more than the Nationals scored all series. (11:15) Drew Millas fractured a finger mid-game and Riley Ada
Aug 27, 2025 · 31 min
More Bad Base Running in New York Loss
The Nats dropped their 4th straight on Tuesday night in New York. Mark & Al have even more instances of poor base running decisions by Washington in their 5-1 defeat. James Wood didn't strike out in the affair, but he was egregiously thrown out at the plate in the top of the 5th inning. (10:20) The coaching staff will likely almost completely turn over after the season. Will that apply to franchise legend/ 1B Coach Gerardo Parra? (15:10) MacKenzie Gore threw 99 pitches and gave up all three
Aug 26, 2025 · 31 min
Lord Gets Rocked in the Bronx
The recent three game Nats win streak has morphed into a three game losing streak after Monday night's 10-5 defeat in Yankee Stadium. Al & Mark begin with Jacob Young's eventful evening that saw him get picked off and also hit a 9th inning Grand Slam. (06:15) Young getting picked continues a recent pattern for him. His base running deficiencies are additionally magnified due to his poor bat (.584 OPS). What does his future hold? (14:00) The bad base running continued into the next inning as
Aug 25, 2025 · 33 min
Brief Outing for Irvin in Narrow Philly Loss
The Nats held another late rally that came up short on Sunday afternoon on Broad Street. Mark (From Philadelphia) & Al note how the team continues to lose when either Jake Irvin or Mitchell Parker take the mound. (05:10) James Wood went 0 for 4 with 3 Ks and hit into a costly double play in the top of the 8th. Wood has astonishingly struck out 35 times this month while only drawing six walks. (11:05) Riley Adams hit 3rd and went 1 for 4 in the 3-2 loss. His OPS for the month of August is .8
Aug 24, 2025 · 31 min
Parker's Awful August Continues
The win streak ends at three as the Nats lost 6-4 on Saturday night in Philly. Mark (From Philadelphia) & Al have another busy top of the 9th to discuss, but this time Washington's rally came up short. There were runners on the corners with one out, but both James Wood & CJ Abrams could not come through. (07:45) James Wood struck only three times in Saturday night's loss. Wood leads MLB with 171Ks and Mark Reynolds record 223 whiffs feels relevant with 33 games remaining. (10:45) Luis Gar
Aug 23, 2025 · 36 min
Crews & Lile Lead the 9th Inning Rally
The Nats won their 3rd in a row on Friday night in Philadelphia. Mark (From Philly) & Al speak after the 5-4 victory that saw Washington score a pair of runs in the top of the 9th. (03:30) Dylan Crews had a pair of hits and scored the tying run on a tight play at the plate. The team has a winning record this year with Crews in the lineup at 27-26. (10:15) Daylen Lile knocked in Crews and then scored via nifty base running for the go-ahead run. Lile's stolen base attempt drew a poor throw b
Aug 22, 2025 · 30 min
Nats Score 9 Unanswered in Win Over the Mets
The Nats overcame an early 3-0 deficit for a 9-3 victory over the Mets in Thursday's series rubber match. Al & Tim gather after Washington completed a winning home stand against the top two teams in the NL East. It was a costly defeat for New York as they lead Cincinnati by only half a game for the final NL Wildcard spot. (05:30) James Wood had a bad day at the plate until his 3-run HR in the bottom of the 8th to put the game out of reach. Wood struck out three times and has the most Ks in all
Aug 21, 2025 · 32 min
Bullpen Preserves Lord's Lead
The Nats held off the Mets 5-4 on Wednesday night as the bullpen stepped up for 3+ frames. Mark & Al open with Miguel Cairo's curious ejection that came within a blink of an eye while he was still in the dugout. Bench Coach Henry Blanco took over skipper duties after Cairo's ejection for the final few innings. (07:00) The offense jumped all over New York's starter Kodai Sega for five runs in as many innings. Drew Millas had a RBI triple and Josh Bell crushed his 16th homer of the season. (1
Aug 20, 2025 · 30 min
Irvin Torched Again
The Nats were pounded 8-1 on Tuesday night as Jake Irvin was no match for the Mets. Mark & Al contrast that with New York starter David Peterson, who continued his dominance vs. Washington. Peterson didn't allow a run until the 8th, after throwing a complete game shutout against the Nats earlier this summer. (08:45) Andres Chaparro collected two hits while getting the start at 1B. Chaparro was activated on Tuesday after Jose Tena was sent down to AAA-Rochester. (14:00) Jake Irvin had anoth
Aug 17, 2025 · 28 min
Parker Hammered Again in High Scoring Loss
The Nats 9th inning comeback came up short in Sunday's 11-9 loss to the Phillies. Al & Mark open with the performance of Dylan Crews who singled, doubled, and threw out a runner at the plate from RF. The offense collected 13 hits on a day when James Wood & Josh Bell were each given the day off. (12:30) Mitchell Parker was awful again as he was pulled in the 2nd inning after giving up six runs. Parker's ERA has ballooned to 5.83 and the question is whether or not he gets optioned to AAA. (16
Aug 17, 2025 · 32 min
Cavalli & Ferrer Shutout the Phils
The Nats had one of their best days in awhile in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the visiting Phillies. Mark & Al discuss the young building blocks that contributed to the win; headlined by Cade Cavalli, who tossed seven shutout frames. Miguel Cairo showed trust in the young right-hander by allowing him to pitch the top of the 7th and last 90 pitches. (12:15) Jose A. Ferrer handled the final two frames and needed 24 pitches in order to do it. Ferrer notched his second save after taking over close
Aug 16, 2025 · 35 min
Schwarber & Harper's Blasts Sink the Nats
The Nats and Phillies were tied entering the 7th, but Kyle Schwarber & Bryce Harper went Back-to-Back to put Philadelphia up 6-2 for good. Mark & Al gather after a Friday night that saw a repeat Opening Day pitching matchup between MacKenzie Gore & Zack Wheeler. (06:10) Daylen Lile homered while getting the start in LF. Lile is having a very good August as he is hitting .319 and has a .849 OPS. (09:00) Brady House was not in the starting lineup in favor of Paul DeJong at 3B. House has only
Aug 15, 2025 · 36 min
Crews Has a Winning Return + Lowe DFA'd
The Nats topped the Phillies 3-2 on Thursday night to open a four game set in D.C. Al & Tim have a lot to get to as prior to the game Dylan Crews was not only activated, but the corresponding roster move likely raised a few eyebrows. (04:30) Crews returned from his minor league rehab assignment and made a diving catch in RF in his first fielding opportunity. Crews also singled in his first Big League At-bat since May 20th. (08:30) Jose Tena was not sent down and rewarded the Nationals with
Aug 14, 2025 · 31 min
Lile's Late RBI Lifts the Nats + Crews Returning
The Nats won a wild one on Wednesday afternoon as they prevailed 8-7 at the Royals to avoid the sweep. Mark (From KC) & Al convene after Washington immediately jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Kansas City tied it up in the bottom of the 8th. Daylen Lile's RBI single scored Luis Garcia Jr. to take the lead for good in the top of the 9th. (05:00) The Nationals are planning on activating Dylan Crews on Thursday night when their home stand begins vs. the Phillies. Who will be the odd man out when
Aug 13, 2025 · 29 min
Parker Beaten by the Royals
The Nats fell 8-5 on Tuesday night in Kansas City in a game that saw a bizarre pitching line. Mark (From KC) & Al examine Mitchell Parker's outing where he only allowed two hits, but ultimately gave up five runs. It was Parker's 13th loss of the season and his WHIP is the worst among qualifying pitchers in all of MLB (1.46). (06:00) James Wood continued his latest surge with a RBI double and a single. The double had an exit velocity of 118MPH; one of the hardest hit balls in recorded team his
Aug 12, 2025 · 30 min
Cavalli Gives up 4 Runs in KC Loss
The Nats lost 7-4 on Monday night at Kansas City as they begin a new phase of the road trip. Mark (From KC) & Al open with Cade Cavalli's first road outing where he allowed four runs in five plus innings of work. Cavalli gave up a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 6th to mar his pitching line. (12:30) Josh Bell hit his 15th homer on the season early in the game for a 2-0 Washington lead. James Wood had his 4th consecutive good game as he had a pair of singles and Paul DeJong also went deep w
Aug 11, 2025 · 26 min
Gore Whiffs 10 Giants in Shutout Victory
The Nats cruised past the Giants 8-0 on Sunday afternoon for their first series win since the trade deadline. Mark (From San Francisco) & Al have another all positive set of topics to dissect as both James Wood & MacKenzie Gore had big days. (04:10) James Wood continued his strong weekend from the lead-off spot as he had a pair of RBI doubles. Wood however did strike out three times. (07:30) MacKenzie Gore really bounced back from Tuesday's disastrous outing. Gore struck out 10 in six inni
Aug 10, 2025 · 31 min
Wood Homers in San Francisco Win
The Nats hit three homers in Saturday afternoon's 4-2 victory at the Giants. Mark (From San Francisco) & Al meet after James Wood leadoff the game with his first home run in a month. Wood is now up to 25 homers on the season and also added a RBI double in the top of the 6th. (07:00) Paul DeJong and Josh Bell went Back-To-Back in the top of the 3rd to put Washington up 3-0. The offense totaled 11 hits in a rare successful game against a lefty starter (Carson Whisenhunt). (11:15) Should Wood
Aug 9, 2025 · 25 min
Shutout for the 11th Time This Year
The Nats were blanked for the second straight day in Friday night's 5-0 loss at the Giants. Mark (From San Francisco) & Al examine the new look lineup that saw James Wood double out of the lead-off spot. (06:45) Brady House went 0 for 4 while slotted 3rd in the lineup, House has been up for nearly two months and his OPS so far is a disappointing .585. (09:00) Dylan Crews is with Rochester this weekend as his rehab stint continues. Will he join the Nats in Kansas City on Monday? (12:10) J