Nats Chat

The Nats were blanked 7-0 in the series opener in Milwaukee. Mark (Live from Wisconsin) & Al recap the very unusual 7th inning as the top of the frame saw an almost Inside the Park HR, and the bottom featured a Triple Play. Should Lane Thomas have been rewarded home plate or did the umps get it right?

(13:13) The game unraveled in the 8th as the Brewers scored five runs off of Austin Voth. Why not use Tanner Rainey in that spot when it's a close game?

(22:07) The offense had another bad game as they were shutout by Milwaukee. The 5th inning was a real head scratcher as all three Nationals hitters laid down bunts. How did that occur?

(33:48) Carter Kieboom's season is over as he will have "Tommy John" Surgery on his throwing elbow and is expected to be back by Spring Training 2023. This leads to a discussion about the recent Washington 1st Round picks that have not met expectations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats beat the Marlins 5-4 in 10 innings for their first win over Miami this season. Mark & Al recap the busy evening as the Nationals basically won twice, once in the 9th and then again ultimately in the 10th. Trust me, we'll explain, just after we get a ruling from New York.

(12:27) Keibert Ruiz had a huge evening as he collected three hits, reached base five times, and had the go- ahead RBI double in extras. He currently is hitting .282 w/ an OPS at 7.26.

(24:12) Josiah Gray stuck out seven Marlins in his six innings of work, while allowing three runs. Gray has more strike outs than innings pitched so far this season (46 vs. 43.1).

(28:23) The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that both GM Mike Rizzo and Manager Davey Martinez are in the final year of a a guaranteed contract as the club has the option for 2023. Given the ownership uncertainty, what does this all mean? The hosts spend plenty of time discussing all the potential ramifications of this news.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats lost 5-1 in Miami in a second straight game marked by committing two errors on the same play. Al & Tim discuss the sorry state of Washington affairs as we have a clear and obvious case of "Bad Baseball" on our hands.

(09:31) Nelson Cruz struggled again at the plate as he was 0 for 4 with 3 Ks. Is it tine to flip him and Yadiel in the order? Victo Robles' evening wasn't much better as he was picked off 1st Base.

(17:40) Joan Adon took the loss, but didn't walk any batters in his outing. The hosts give their take on Adon's night vs. the Marlins.

(23:50) Cade Cavalli was lifted in the 1st inning ins his latest start with AAA Rochester. His ERA sits above 7.00 and unfortunately it's to start wondering.... "Should we be concerned about Cavalli?"

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats were routed 8-1 in Miami as they came very close to allowing a "Little League Grand Slam". Mark & Al recap a game that encompassed all of the issues so far this season: sloppy defense, bad hitting, subpar pitching, and poor execution.

(08:21) The offense was no match for Sandy Alcantara as he retired 20 Nationals in a row over 8 IP. Juan Soto was 0 for 4 and is showing clear signs of frustration at the plate. Will he naturally snap out of it like all great hitters typically do?

(16:33) A deep dive into the embarassing play in the bottom of the 7th where two runs were committed and Miami extended their lead to 7-1.

(22:45) Aaron Sanchez was removed in the 4th and did not pitch well. Is his spot in the rotation at stake? Should he be starting instead of Paolo Espino?

(28:32) Victor Robles stole his first base of the season and it was stunningly his first attempt this year. Why did it take so long for that to happen?

(34:48) Geoff Blum, color commentator for the Astros, gives his perspective on what he saw over the weekend in D.C. He also hosts the "Bleacher Blums" Podcast:

https://www.bluewirepods.com/podcast/bleacher-blums

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats were shutout 8-0 by Houston to drop their fourth consecutive series rubber match. Al & Mark recap Patrick Corbin's outing, which started well, but ultimately in the end he allowed five runs in six plus frames. Meanwhile, Justin Verlander earned his 231st career victory after five innings of work.

(10:01) The trouble began in the 5th inning shortly after a pick-off attempt resulted in a poor throw by Josh Bell. It's another example of a season marked by defensive lapses, typically followed by the Nationals falling behind for good.

(23:45) Why is "Our Guy Paolo" Espino only used in garbage time? In all sincerity, he almost won "Nationals Pitcher of the Year" in 2021, yet seems to only come to the mound in mop-up duty.

(26:20) We get a retroactive ruling from Mark on Thursday's base running debacle against the Mets. TOOTBLAN worthy?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats beat up on the Astros 13-6 to snap their eleven game win streak. Al & Mark focus on the offense that piled up fourteen hits, including big nights from Nelson Cruz and Yadiel Hernandez. Is Nelson Cruz showing signs that he is overcoming his early season slump?

(20:11) Maikel Franco doubled and homered in the victory and shares the team lead in RBIs. Is he becoming a potential trade option for the franchise later this summer?

(30:15) Erick Fedde escaped early trouble and labored his way to 4 IP on 82 pitches. The hosts look at where Fedde's status in the rotation stands as Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross hope to be back with the team later this summer.

(41:40) A preview of Sunday's intriguing pitching matchup between Justin Verlander and Patrick Corbin. Verlander is coming off a near no-hit bid in his last outing.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats lost 6-1 to Houston as it is the first time these two teams met in Navy Yard since Game 5 of 2019 World Series. Mark & Al recap Josiah Gray's nightmare first inning, before he settled down to make it through six frames. They then put in perspective the drastically different directions the two franchises have taken since meeting in the Fall Classic.

(18:26) The Astros have now won 11 in a row as the Nationals offense couldn't much going at the plate. One troubling stat is that Washington out-hit their opponents, but all eight hits were singles.

(23:21) Dusty Baker, Astros manager, returned to Nationals Park for the first time since he managed Game 5 of the NLDS for the Nats. The hosts take this opportunity to reflect on his brief yet memorable two year stint in D.C. as both seasons resulted in trips to the Postseason. Why didn't he return in 2018 after all?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats lost 4-1 to the Mets to drop their third straight series. Al discusses the loss while taking note that Mark Lerner was on hand watching Juan Soto's action filled afternoon and the current state of the franchise. Soto homered and doubled, but also was part of a base running mistake (along with Josh Bell) that was so absurd it made national news. Hear Davey Martinez's reaction to the play in the bottom of the 4th.

(16:37) Joan Adon issued five walks in the first two innings and was lifted in the 4th inning. This comes after his outing in Anaheim that had many encouraging signs.

(25:50) Houston comes to D.C. on Friday for the first time since October 2019. We leave you with a highlight you will enjoy hearing over and over again.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats rallied in the early innings on the Mets for an 8-3 win. Mark & Al rehash this unusual game as New York scored three runs right away, before Washington then put up all eight runs in the first two innings. Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz both went deep, which lead to a discussion about each of their season's thus far.

(15:06) Cesar Hernandez had three hits before the third inning concluded as he was a big part of the early rally. Dee Strange-Gordon played shortstop for another game as Alcides Escobar remains out with an unusual affliction in his finger.

(33:20) Cade Cavalli struck out six in his start for AAA Rochester on Wednesday and then the hosts look at Cole Henry's performance so far this year with Harrisburg. Could both be on the mound Washington by September?

(39:46) Stephen Strasburg & Joe Ross each threw a simulated game in Florida and there is optimism that minor league rehabs might be in the near future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats lost 4-2 to the Mets for a 9th consecutive home defeat. Al & Mark open with the poor defense on display as the Nationals made a pair of errors that were compounded by subpar baserunning. Why so many instances of runners getting thrown out by wide margins on the bases?

(12:30) Patrick Corbin had his third straight good start as he threw five scoreless innings despite issuing four walks. It seems to be the new norm that Riley Adams will be his personal catcher. An indictment of Ruiz or just do whatever works?

(19:47) Juan Soto is 3 for his 17 and showed a lot of frustration in his final at bat on Tuesday night. Mark explains what he saw during the crucial moment in the 8th.

(22:45) Carl Edwards Jr. was the new bullpen arm after some musical chairs with the roster, but he picked up the loss after allowing three runs in the 6th. What's the latest with Mason Thompson and Tyler Clippard?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.