Nats Chat

The Nats lost a heartbreaker 8-7 at Miami in ten innings. Mark & Al are flabbergasted at how for the third time in under two years; the Nationals have been on the wrong end of a runner's interference call at first base. Josh Bell was called out to end the top of the 10th, costing the team a chance to take the lead. Was the right call made? Hear an exasperated Davey Martinez from his postgame press conference.

(9:56) Luis Garcia had a very costly base running mistake in the top of the 10th as he was not able to score from second base on a Lane Thomas double. Why was he unable to score in that situation?

(19:39) Keibert Ruiz had three hits on Monday and had 4 RBIs, including hits from both sides of the plate. Are we seeing him turn the corner with the bat?

(24:41) Juan Soto reached base four times and had a single. He currently is hitting .315 and is one percentage point behind Trea Turner for the NL lead. Soto has now reached base four times in a game a staggering TWENTY TWO TIMES this season. Hear how his numbers stacks up post all star break against NL MVP front runner Bryce Harper.

(31:15) Erick Fedde had a so so outing as he yielded three homers on the night. The bullpen did not have a good game, but Tanner Rainey stole the show in the 9th. He struck out the side and if you include AAA; he has struck out fifteen consecutive batters.

(38:12) Josh Bell robbed a home run while playing left field. You are reading that last sentence correctly.

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The Nats shutout Colorado 3-0 as Paolo Espino earned his fifth victory of the season. Al & Mark tip their caps to Espino, who held a potent Rockies lineup scoreless in almost six frames. Who could have ever guessed the season that Paolo is having? It was the first shutout pitched by the Nationals staff since mid June.

(11:03) Tanner Rainey returned to the mound after a lengthy stay in Rochester. He struck out the side in an encouraging outing. Will we see him get a save opportunity before the end of the season?

(19:01) Juan Soto launched a mammoth HR that traveled over 450 feet. His OPS is creeping towards 1.000, which is a surprise based upon how his season started off.

(25:47) The offense otherwise had a quiet series, but the hosts take this opportunity to assess two of the young pieces who have had prominent roles post trade deadline. Luis Garcia's stock is up, Carter Kieboom's is going in the other direction.

(34:40) Alex Avila announced that he will retire at the end of the season. Avila had an unusual start to his career as his father was the Tigers GM while playing in Detroit (who then traded him away). Avila made one All Star game and received MVP votes in 2011.

(41:33) A look at attendance for the past few months and how the rebuild might affect ticket sales for the 2022 season. 

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The Nats were blanked 6-0 by Colorado for a third straight defeat. Mark & Al begin with a lengthy discussion centering around Patrick Corbin; as the lefty's ERA rose back above 6.00. What are the team's options on how to handle Corbin in 2022? Does the organization as a whole need to alter things behind the scenes as it relates to pitching?

(19:28) The bullpen threw five shutout innings on Saturday between Ryne Harper and Sean Nolin. Will Nolin's ability to eat innings benefit the ailing 'pen in the final few weeks?

(21:52) Juan Soto had a double and his average is now at .315. He is in the midst of a very intriguing batting title chase with ex teammates Trea Turner and Bryce Harper. Al points out how regardless of what happens with batting average, Soto is without question the best hitter.

(26:30) We organically careened into a conversation on Max Scherzer's push for the Cy Young and evaluating the decision to trade him away. Do you think the Nationals should have kept him even if the team was out of contention?

(34:31) A voice memo from a listener about her memories from Anibal Sanchez's masterpiece in St. Louis in 2019.

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The Nats lost 9-8 to the Rockies as yet another late lead was snatched away. Mark & Al recap Kyle Finnegan blowing a second straight save and how the bullpen continues to cost the team wins. Is Finnegan and his mates operating on fumes?

(10:30) Josiah Gray had a fifth consecutive outing that was in the subpar category. He struck out five, but walked four, and allowed another HR. Why has his command looked so off in his past few starts?

(17:55) The offense continued their September surge and clubbed fourteen hits, which led to to eight runs. Hear another example of how Juan Soto is reminding people of Barry Bonds' hitting prowess.

(21:57) Alcides Escobar had two more hits on Friday; including a game tying hit in the bottom of the 8th. This leads to a conversation on what the Nationals options are with the veteran SS and whether or not he will be back in Washington in 2022.

(32:57) A listener submitted email wondering if there are parallels between the current version of the Nats and the perpetually underachieving Angels.

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The Nats lost 8-6 to Miami as Kyle Finnegan allowed four runs in the 9th. Al starts off the show by relaying just how poorly the bullpen collectively pitched on Wednesday. They gave up eight runs in just four frames between five different relievers. What's your trust level in Finnegan as he has three blown saves this season?

(13:03) Josh Rogers was the polar opposite of the bullpen as he had his third consecutive solid start. The southpaw threw five scoreless frames, allowed only one hit, and struck out six. What does Rogers future look like given his effectiveness so far?

(17:45) The offense clubbed fifteen walks and drew five walks, but did struggle with RISP. Al runs through those who had standout afternoons, including Alcides Escobar and Josh Bell.

(26:20) Lane Thomas impressed yet again as he reached base three times and had two RBIs. One of his RBIs came on a bases loaded walk, which was notable as Miami issued FIVE of them in the final two games of the series.

(31:56) The owner of Walter's Sports Bar (the best sports bar in DC) joins us for a special edition of memories from October 2019. Hear how Jeremy Gifford balanced rooting for his favorite team and also running a packed sports bar during this once in a lifetime stretch.

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The Nats beat the Marlins 8-2 on an evening where the offense had fourteen hits. Al & Mark praise Ryan Zimmerman's tape measure opposite field HR (442 feet) that went into the 2nd deck. This picks up on our previous conversation about the potential for him to return for next season. Hear what Zimmerman said when asked about his future after the game.

(13:46) Juan Soto reached base four more times on Tuesday and has lifted his average to .313. Mark explains how all the walks he's drawn is helping him in pursuit of Trea Turner for the NL batting crown..

(17:56) Al wonders if it's time to call the race between Victor Robles and Lane Thomas for Opening Day leadoff hitter/ CFer. Thomas had another good game as he had two more hits, meanwhile Robles is hitting .292 for AAA Rochester.

(31:10) Erick Fedde struck out eight and allowed only one run in five frames. Fedde pitched well all three times he faced Miami this season.

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The Nats were shutout 3-0 by Miami and their right hander Sandy Alcantara. Mark & Al discuss Alcantara's no hit bid which lasted until the 7th and his perfect game attempt which lasted until a 6th inning error. Surprisingly enough, the Nationals have never been no hit in their history. 

One positive from Monday was that Keibert Ruiz was back in the linuep, just two days after being hit in the helmet.

(14:45) Ryan Zimmerman had a 9th inning pinch hit which spurs a conversation about Zim's future. Do we know if he will be back in 2022? How crucial a role will the potential for the NL adopting the DH play in the situation?

(19:18) Paolo Espino pitched very well in defeat as he only allowed one run in six frames. He arguably has been the team's most reliable starter in the past few months. How different would this season be for him if he didnt pitch well in April?

(34:01) Responding to a listener submitted email wondering if there is a chance Max Scherzer won't wear the Curly W on his eventual Hall of Fame plaque. Would a World Series title in LA change the future?

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The Nats beat the Pirates 6-2 to avoid being swept. Al & Mark react to Patrick Corbin's second straight positive outing. How encouraged should fans be?  How important has the veteran Alex Avila been for Corbin as Avila has caught both of the solid starts by the lefty?

(17:20) Kyle Finnegan recorded a five out save and now is 9 of 11 in save opportunities on the season. The bullpen only had to pitch two innings due to Corbin lasting seven frames for the second time this week. How confident are we in Finnegan for the future?

(20:55) Juan Soto reached base four times for the second straight game. He is firmly vying for the NL batting crown (trails Trea Turner by just five points). Is he making an outside MVP push? 

**Plus, during this segment we cover the breaking news of Max Scherzer reaching the 3,000 strikeout club, only the 19th pitcher in MLB history.

(30:38) Luis Garcia homered Sunday to continue his September surge at the plate. Who has less pressure on them this month? Garcia or Carter Kieboom?

(36:51) A listener submitted question launched a conversation on potential directions for the Juan Soto contractual talks that are looming at some point in the future. How much money will it take to lock him up?

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The Nationals lost 10-7 in Pittsburgh as Josiah Gray had his third straight poor outing. Al digs into Gray's issues of both walking too many Pirates hitters and also continuing his trend of allowing homers.

(9:58) Keibert Ruiz had an active Saturday night. Most importantly, X rays were negative after he was hit by a pitch in the helmet in the 6th; which resulted in him leaving the game early. Ruiz had a difficult bottom of the third; between a throwing error and blocking a runner from touching the plate. His highlight of the evening came in the top of the 4th as he hit a bases clearing double for a brief lead.

(16:42) Juan Soto didn't walk, but he did have four hits. Al points out just how sneaky impressive the Nats offense has been as of late, becoming one of the best in the NL. Ryan Zimmerman went deep in the 8th with a pinch hit HR, his 13th of the season.

(23:18) Luis Garcia and Carter Kieboom each had tough evenings in the field. Garcia's error in the 6th was indicative of how Saturday evening was not going Washington's way at all.

(28:57) The bullpen had a bad game as they allowed five runs and also added to the pile of walks. We wrap up the show by previewing Patrick Corbin's upcoming start Sunday.

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The Nats coughed up their lead in Pittsburgh to fall 4-3 in a walk-off loss. Mark & Al dive into the bottom of the 9th where Patrick Murphy was unable to hold onto the edge. Should they have walked Colin Moran to load the bases with 1 out?

(11:08) Josh Rogers threw a second consecutive solid outing for Washington as he lasted until the 7th inning.

(15:24) Josh Bell was given a warm reception from Pirates fans in his first return to Pittsburgh since being dealt. Bell slugged his 26th HR of the season to lead the team.

(23:40) Riley Adams had a RBI triple as he got the start behind the dish. Should we be surprised he got the start over Keibert Ruiz?

(27:28) A few hours before the game began; Sean Nolin (5 games) and Davey Martinez (1 game) were suspended for throwing at Freddie Freeman on Wednesday night. Why wasn't Will Smith suspended as he began the whole brouhaha?

(37:02) A preview of Josiah Gray's important start on Saturday as he looks to avoid a third straight poor outing. He will be facing Wil Crowe, who oddly enough was part of the trade package the Nats sent to Pittsburgh in return for Josh Bell.

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