The Nats were easily beaten by the Phillies 11-6 on Saturday afternoon in Navy Yard. Mark & Al spend plenty of time on the bullpen, which has performed poorly in both games so far this season. Jake Irvin departed a tied game after five innings and four relievers combined to give up nine runs following his exit. The 'pen is not only giving up a bunch of runs, but they are issuing a ton of walks along the way.

(22:00) Keibert Ruiz homered for the second straight game and briefly put Washington ahead 2-0. Ruiz also added a double and has had success from both sides of the plate this week.

(24:05) Amed Rosario had a trio of hits including a homer.  Rosario hit 5th in the order and got the start at 2B over Luis Garcia Jr. in order to face the lefty starter.

(27:10) Nathaniel Lowe went deep for the first time as a National and has flashed solid leather so far at 1B.

(29:00) Dylan Crews mad a great play in the field, but went 0 for 5 with 5 Ks while hitting 2nd in the lineup.

(35:30) In depth discussion on the new City Connect uniforms that were worn on Saturday.

The Nats bullpen let them down on their way to a season opening 7-3 loss in extra innings vs. the visiting Phillies. Mark & Al start with a major positive for Washington as MacKenzie Gore set a franchise Opening Day record with 13 strikeouts. Gore was fantastic as he did not issue any walks and only gave up one hit.

(10:30) Keibert Ruiz homered off of Zack Wheeler and threw out a runner trying to steal 2nd base.  Davey Martinez mentioned pregame that Ruiz lost weight in the offseason and he was pleased with his Spring.

(17:00) Jacob Young was caught stealing despite James Wood at the plate with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning.

(21:15) Opening Day was not a good one for the Nationals bullpen as five relievers combined to allow seven runs in just four innings of work. Colin Poche really struggled in his first outing with the Nats as he gave up four Philadelphia runs in the top of the 10th to put the game out of reach.

(27:45) Derek Law will begin the season the 15-Day IL due to right forearm inflammation. Mark explains what led to him not being ready to pitch for Washington on Opening Day.

(32:00) The Nationals were dealt bad news this week as DJ Herz was added to the 60-Day IL and is getting a 2nd opinion on his sprained elbow ligament that could lead to Tommy John surgery. Al notes that this continues a troubling pattern of a pitcher getting a significant injury at some point in Spring Training.

The Nationals season begins on Thursday March 27th at 4:05PM vs. the visiting Phillies. Mark & Al get you set for the 21st season of Washington Nationals baseball.

(00:00) Nats moved to town 20 years ago

(10:00) Minor league prospects to monitor: Robert Hassell III & Brady House

(14:10) Brad Lord surprisingly contending for a bullpen spot

(17:45) Nationals return their Rule 5 Pick Evan Reifert back to Tampa Bay

(21:30) How to measure success in 2025

(30:10) More homers this season as a team?

(35:45) Evaluating the base running and stolen base threats

(38:15) A look at the pitching staff

(43:00) Season predictions

(52:45) Expectations for attendance

Spring Training is currently in its "Dog Days" phase as Opening Day in Navy Yard  is two weeks away. Al & Mark open with a quick update on CJ Abrams, who exited Wednesday's game early due to cramping in both quads, but is expected in Thursday's lineup.

(05:00) All signs pointing towards MacKenzie Gore to start on Opening Day vs. the Phillies.

(12:30) DJ Herz, Mitchell Parker, & Shinnosuke Ogasawara vying for the 5th spot in the starting rotation.

(21:15) Update on bullpen depth.

(23:30) Roster battles for final utility player.

(29:15) Josh Bell's potential job security at DH.

(34:05) Jackson Rutledge to the bullpen.

Kyle Finnegan returned to the Nationals (1 year/ $6M) after originally not being tendered by the team last November. It has been quite the adventure in the past few months for Finnegan, who also surprisingly was not dealt at last summer's trade deadline. Al & Mark (From West Palm Beach) dive into the move as it seems probable that he will slide back into the role of closer.

(23:45) Robert Hassell III homered this week and has stood out so far in Grapefruit League play. Hassell was one of the highly touted prospects that was part of the Juan Soto trade, but has dealt with injuries and has yet to make it the Majors. Where does he fit into the crowded outfield?

(33:30) Mark's shares his observations from the team first four Spring Training games that included Jake Irvin tossing a scoreless inning in his first outing of 2025. This also includes a handicap of who will earn the 5th Starter's role for the beginning of the season.

(40:00) The Nats & Orioles announced they will conclude Spring Training against each other at Nationals Park on Monday March 24th at 1PM. This seems like a sign we are headed to an "Era of Good Feelings" between the two teams.

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(23:45) Robert Hassell III homered this week and has stood out so far in Grapefruit League play. Hassell was one of the highly touted prospects that was part of the Juan Soto trade, but has dealt with injuries and has yet to make it the Majors. Where does he fit into the crowded outfield?

(33:30) Mark's shares his observations from the team first four Spring Training games that included Jake Irvin tossing a scoreless inning in his first outing of 2025. This also includes a handicap of who will earn the 5th Starter's role for the beginning of the season.

(40:00) The Nats & Orioles announced they will conclude Spring Training against each other at Nationals Park on Monday March 24th at 1PM. This seems like a sign we are headed to an "Era of Good Feelings" between the two teams.

Grapefruit League play has yet to start, but the Nats have been down in West Palm Beach for over a week. Mark (Live from Florida) & Al begin with the recent signing of veteran infielder Paul DeJong, who might end up being the team's Opening Day 3B. DeJong hit 24 homers last season while playing for both the White Sox & Royals.

(14:00) Washington added right-handed relief pitcher Lucas Sims, who is coming off a down season. Sims did however have a solid 2023 season for the Reds that saw his ERA finish at 3.10. Will he part of the "A Bullpen"?

(19:40) Kyle Finnegan surprisingly remains a Free Agent after being non-tended from the Nationals at the end of last season. If he stays unsigned this Spring, might he return to old his team?

****(23:20) Reaction to Mark Lerner's comments to the Washington Post, that includes explanation on the team's recent spending approach and the family's long-term plans with the franchise.

(42:00) Speculating on who might be the Opening Day Starting Pitcher. MacKenzie Gore or Jake Irvin?

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The Nationals opened up camp this week in Florida as Davey Martinez begins his 8th season at the helm. Mark (Live from West Palm) & Al open with how 2025 might have elevated pressure for Martinez compared to recent seasons.

(05:40) CJ Abrams reported early to camp after his 2024 ended on a very sour note. Abrams was demoted to AAA the final week of the season after being out late at a Chicago casino just a few hours before an afternoon game. Abrams made the All-Star Game last summer and led the team in WAR (3.4).

(13:15) Travis Sykora is out until May due to recent hip surgery. He is the organization's top ranked pitcher and last season pitched in Low-A Fredericksburg.

(16:00) An update on Cade Cavalli who only made three minor league appearances last season as he aims to return from "Tommy John" surgery. Cavalli last pitched in Washington in August 2022.

(18:30) GM Mike Rizzo spoke with reporters and addressed the limited spending this past off-season. We run through all the transactions made the past few months and what they will mean for this season. Will the team add a bullpen arm or two this Spring Training?

(34:40) More than five guys have been slated as "Starters" and the hosts sort through the current hierarchy within the rotation.

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