Nats Chat

The Nats lost 6-3 to the Braves, but that was not the main news Saturday from South Capitol Street. Mark & Al respond to the pregame news from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal that Juan Soto turned down a 15 year/ $440 Million contract extension offer and therefore the Nationals would be open to trading Soto. Will Soto still be in Washington after this year's trade deadline?

(14:02) A deep dive into the contract particulars and each side's perspective as ownership's future is uncertain. Hear why the average annual value (AAV) is "too low". Was there deferred money involved?

(30:10) A quick recap of the 9th consecutive loss for the Nats. Josh Bell did collect three hits on Saturday as his average is now up to .311.

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The losing streak is now at eight games as the Nats were doubled up the Braves 8-4. Al & Mark recap yet another defeat as for the first time ever they have lost fourteen out of their last fifteen games. Patrick Corbin was dealt the "L" as the Nationals have lost the last nine times he has faced Atlanta. The bottom of the 9th did have some entertaining elements though as Washington scored three runs, brought up the tying run to the plate, and Juan Soto was able to show up Braves closer Will Smith.

(16:07) Luis Garcia had a throwing error that kick-started Atlanta's three runs in the 1st inning, his 9th error of the season. Should the Nats keep him at SS or move him to 2B now?

(22:03) Sean Doolittle's season is over as he will undergo internal brace surgery on his UCL. Mark explains why this is better than Tommy John surgery.

(27:07) Austin Voth was quoted in ESPN about his observations of now being with the Orioles; including the amount of data used. This raised Al's eyebrows as a reflection of what the Nats seemingly lack in their organization.

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The losing streak extended to seven as the Nats lost 5-4 to visiting Atlanta. Mark & Al discuss the continued pattern of the offense not coming through in the clutch as Josh Bell struck out with the tying run on base in the bottom of the 9th. The team has only one victory so far this month as reach this midpoint of July. Juan Soto moved his hitting streak to sixteen games, but was on the on-deck circle during the final out.

(17:45) Anibal Sanchez made his first Big league start since 2020 and had mixed results. He pitched well for most of his outing, but did allow a pair of 2 run HRs. Al expresses his frustration that the situation is such that the veteran is even on the active roster.

(26:01) Stephen Strasburg was moved to the 60 day IL and there have been very few updates on him. Is it safe to say that he won't return to the mound in 2022?

(33:32) Tyler Clippard threw scoreless frames after mysteriously spending so much time in AAA Rochester. It was Clippard's first tme pitching for Washington since the 2014 NLDS. Any chance he could be dealt before the trade deadline?

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The Nats were swept in Wednesday's doubleheader by Seattle (5-1, 2-1) as the only runs scored came via Juan Soto Solo HRs. Mark & Al begin with the news that Tanner Rainey has been placed on the 60 day IL with a UCL sprain. Will he need Tommy John surgery? The positive side of this though is that Tyler Clippard finally has been called up to the Majors.

(13:53) Josiah Gray had a rough outing in Game 1 as he allowed a trio of homers in five innings and continued his pattern of struggling in the opening inning. Erick Fedde pitched well in Game 2 until multiple obstacles came his way in the 6th inning; you'll have to listen to hear exactly what happened to him mid-start.

(22:10) Juan Soto is officially red hot as he homered in both ends of the doubleheader and extended his hitting streak to fifteen games. However, he made a crucial and ill advised out on the bases to end a 7th inning rally in Game 1.

(31:35) Cade Cavalli exited his start early on Tuesday night due to an issue on his finger. Is this of any long-term concern?

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The Nats lost 4-3 in 12 innings as they were swept by the Braves on a walk-off hit by Austin Riley. Al however begins with the postgame news that Juan Soto was named an All Star and as of right now, Josh Bell is not headed to L.A. He explains why despite the stats, he is in fully in favor of Soto heading to the Midsummer Classic for the 2nd straight season.

(07:01) The Nationals inexplicably were unable to score in all three extra innings despite having an ghost runner at 2B each time. Lane Thomas was the only offense of the afternoon as he slugged a 3 run pinch hit HR in the 7th. Hear what Davey said about the offensive futility afterwards.

(14:12) The bullpen had a solid afternoon as the six relievers only allowed two runs in eight innings of work. Kyle Finnegan escaped a 7th inning jam, Carl Edwards Jr. came through with four big outs, and Tanner Rainey tossed two scoreless extra innings.

(23:55) Luis Garcia was slotted in the lead-off spot just like Al suggested in the previous Nats Chat. Garcia did not get a hit, but he did draw a rare walk.

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The Nats came up short in Atlanta 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. Al hosts solo and lays out the hot streak that Juan Soto is on as he has reached base in 19 consecutive games and has homered in both games this series. Might he be continuing his pattern of catching fire in the second half of the season? The Nationals homered twice and Al illustrates how unusual of an occurrence that is this season.

(10:10) Cesar Hernandez only has one hit in July, but has remained in the lead-off spot. Should Luis Garcia be given an opportunity to take that over?

(14:45) Patrick Corbin came up shy in his attempt for three consecutive solid starts, but did setttle down after a bad opening inning. This leads to an emailer asking if Corbin should be given an "Opener"?

(28:05) Our look back at July 2021 focuses on a not so shining moment for the Baby Shark last year in San Francisco.

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The Nats were slaughtered 12-2 in Atlanta as Erick Fedde allowed eight runs in only three innings of work. Al & Mark recap Fedde's rough outing that brought his ERA up to 5.01 and how wide the chasm is between Washington and the Braves.

(17:04) Juan Soto slugged his 16th HR of the season on an evening where he reached base three times. Hear why Mark likes what he sees lately from Soto at the plate.

(26:05) We address a listener submitted question regarding the managerial style and skills of Davey Martinez. Is he better suited for a more veteran squad?

(37:08) We continue our look back at July 2021 as it has been exactly one year since the unlikeliest grand slam in MLB history in San Diego.

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The Nats lost 5-3 in Philadelphia in the series rubber match. Al & Mark (Live from Philly) discuss Juan Soto misplaying a fly ball in the 3rd at the warning track, and the curiously dueling postgame explanations that ensued from Davey Martinez and Soto himself. Speaking of dueling, hear Mark try to make a point on the Phillies bullpen while the Citizen's Bank Park fire alarm blares briefly in the background.

(14:40) Luis Garcia mysteriously left the game early and the explanation afterwards was that he left due to illness. Luis grabbed his side after his final at bat in the 6th, which makes some wonder if he in fact is injured. All eyes will shift to Friday's lineup card in Atlanta.

(22:03) Joan Adon struck out five, but only lasted four innings on 96 pitches. Is Adon being given a disservice of being called back up when the original plan was to send him down to AAA indefinitely? Could NLCS hero Anibal Sanchez take his spot in the rotation next week?

(28:15) Cade Cavalli and Darren Baker will represent the organization in the Futures Game that will be played at Dodger Stadium in a little over a week. Was Baker chosen because of on field merit or the fact that his father Dusty is managing the AL All Stars?

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The Nats ended their six game skid by topping Philadelphia 3-2 on the road. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al have plenty of praise for the pitching staff as Josiah Gray set a career high with 11 strikeouts in what might have been his best outing yet. The "A" bullpen came up big as well, including Tanner Rainey who notched the save.

(15:03) Juan Soto and his calf returned to the starting lineup after being on the bench the past few games. It is nice to have him back, but why is he bunting in the top of the 4th? Keibert Ruiz scored the game winning run despite running through Gary DiSarcina's stop sign. What exactly happened there? Ruiz however continued to impress as he threw out another runner to complete a "Strike 'Em Out/ Throw 'Em Out" double play.

(28:06) Joan Adon was announced as Thursday's starter as he fills the rotation spot opened up by Jackson Tetreault's injury. Meanwhile, Cade Cavalli was dominant against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs as he struck out seven. What are the chances he gets called up this month?

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The Nats were crushed 11-0 in Philadelphia as Paolo Espino couldn't last four innings. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al have no choice but to begin with how badly the team played on Tuesday as they have now dropped six games in a row.

(07:05) The offense came up empty and in the past few days are displaying a troubling trend as they have not scored a run in the opening six innings for three straight days. The discussion then leads to the top offensive propsects in the farm system.

(13:30) Paolo has had back to back poor outings and that makes us wonder if lineups have figured him out a bit or is it a blip on the radar? Speaking of the rotation, who starts on Thursday?

(22:40) Mark gives an update on injured relievers Sean Doolittle and Will Harris.

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