The Nats lost 3-1 in Colorado as Patrick Corbin struck out nine in what could be his final start of the season. Mark & Al evaluate Corbin as September has by far been his best month of his terrible season. How important will ending this year on a positive note be for the high priced lefty? What are the chances he pitches Sunday vs. the Red Sox? (15:27) Juan Soto went 0 for 4 and didn't reach base for the first time in two weeks. He is now hitting .318; which trails Trea Turner (.325). Should...
Sep 29, 2021•42 min•Ep. 167
The Nats beat Colorado 5-4 as Josiah Gray has been victorious in back to back starts. Al & Mark discuss Gray's outing, which was scoreless through the first five innings. What led to him becoming ineffective though in the 6th? Was it hustling down the line on a bunt or was it facing the Rockies lineup for a third time? (10:08) The Nationals bullpen had a good night as they only allowed one run. Davey Martinez changed it up a bit as Kyle Finnegan pitched the 8th and Tanner Rainey took over fo...
Sep 28, 2021•46 min•Ep. 166
The Nats lost 9-2 in Cincinnati as Ryne Harper yielded a MLB record tying fourteenth grand slam on the season by the pitching staff. Before we get into our usual show, Tim does some end of season housekeeping. (5:38) Mark & Al recap Josh Rogers' outing as he held the Reds scoreless early, but it unraveled for him the third time through the order. What was different for Rogers today as opposed to his previous solid outings? (11:02) Only two relievers were used on Sunday, but Harper became the...
Sep 27, 2021•37 min•Ep. 165
The Nats lost 7-6 in Cincinnati as Nick Castellanos hit a walk-off homer against Patrick Murphy. Al & Tim evaluate Keibert Ruiz's evening as he threw out two runners and also homered for the second straight night. Is Ruiz lately starting show the franchise catcher potential we have been told about? (7:10) Lane Thomas homered again and kept the train rolling. Hear Tim's opinion on where the CF derby stands for Opening Day 2022. Robles or Thomas? (21:57) Erick Fedde had another subpar start as...
Sep 26, 2021•52 min•Ep. 164
The Nats late rally came up short in Cincinnati as they lost 8-7 in 11 innings. Mark & Al wonder why the Nationals so often can score late in the game, but then can't bring in a run in extras. The 9th inning comeback involved three runs scored; all coming with two outs. (9:18) Keibert Ruiz hit his first homer with Washington and had three hits overall on the evening. Ruiz is hitting .315 this month. (11:47) Juan Soto did not get any hits, but was walked four times on Friday. Hear Mark put in...
Sep 25, 2021•34 min•Ep. 163
The Nats edged the Reds 3-2 for their 3rd straight victory. Al & Mark search for the proper superlatives for Juan Soto as his torrid stretch continued on Thursday night. He yet again reached base four times, set a franchise record in walks, and has lifted his average to .325. Is it fair to say he is the NL MVP frontrunner with a week to go? How does this recent run affect potential extension talks? (22:52) Patrick Corbin did not allow a run as he almost lasted seven innings. Can fans be opti...
Sep 24, 2021•47 min•Ep. 162
The Nats won 7-5 in Miami for a rare series victory. Mark & Al begin with Josiah Gray's much needed solid outing that resulted in his career Major League win. Most encouraging for Gray was that he did not allow any homers and only issued one walk in six innings. (11:55) Juan Soto was all over the scorecard on Wednesday night as he reached base five times and was a triple shy of the cycle. Soto walked twice; tying Bryce Harper's single season franchise record of 130. Where does Soto's MVP cam...
Sep 23, 2021•41 min•Ep. 161
The Nats won 7-1 in Miami as Josh Rogers almost lasted eight innings. Al & Mark evaluate Josh Rogers throwing another solid outing; this one being his best one yet. Where does the lefty stack up for the team's plans in 2022? Hear the hosts put in perspective how rare a deep start has been for the starting staff this season. (14:26) Keibert Ruiz continued his offensive surge as he had two hits while hitting in the 5th spot. He has not yet homered, but his recent production at the plate is an ...
Sep 22, 2021•43 min•Ep. 160
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...
Sep 21, 2021•43 min•Ep. 159
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 th...
Sep 20, 2021•47 min•Ep. 158
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 'pe...
Sep 19, 2021•42 min•Ep. 157
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 ...
Sep 18, 2021•39 min•Ep. 156
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 st...
Sep 16, 2021•40 min•Ep. 155
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 hel...
Sep 15, 2021•41 min•Ep. 154
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 futu...
Sep 14, 2021•45 min•Ep. 153
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...
Sep 13, 2021•49 min•Ep. 152
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 t...
Sep 12, 2021•44 min•Ep. 151
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 th...
Sep 11, 2021•46 min•Ep. 150
The Nats lost to the Braves 7-6 in a seesaw affair that last ten innings. Mark & Al note how in their final game against one of the NL East contenders for the season; the Nationals continued to be a tough team to put away. (4:10) Luis Garcia has had a hot September and Thursday night was probably his best game yet. Garcia crushed a go ahead HR to dead-center and made multiple highlight reel plays in the field. Is he turning a corner? (11:50) Juan Soto had two hits and was intentionally walke...
Sep 10, 2021•48 min•Ep. 149
The Nationals doubled up the Braves 4-2 in a game that saw a contentious opening inning. Mark & Al recap Sean Nolin being ejected after just eight pitches for throwing at Freddie Freeman. They explain what led to the retaliation and how it was explained afterwards by the Nats. Was it right to throw at Freeman after what happened to Soto on Tuesday night? (17:14) The bullpen stepped up big time by recording 26 outs from six different pitchers. How creative will Washington need to be the next ...
Sep 09, 2021•46 min•Ep. 148
The Nats lost 8-5 in Atlanta to open a three game series. Al & Tim look at yet another subpar starting pitching effort, this one by Paolo Espino. Paolo allowed five runs in five innings; lowlighted by a 3 run HR he gave up in the 1st inning to Adam Duvall. (11:45) The Nationals tied in it the top of the 7th, but the bullpen quickly allowed the Braves to get back ahead. Ryne Harper was the culprit as he issued a leadoff walk prior to serving up the decisive 2 run HR to Ozzie Albies. Albert Ba...
Sep 08, 2021•43 min•Ep. 147
The Nats walked off the Mets 4-3 with a Carter Kieboom single on Labor Day afternoon. Al & Mark analyze the exciting series finale that capped a five game stretch in the past four days. For the third time over the holiday weekend, Andrew Stevenson came off the bench for a major hit in the final inning; this one a game tying RBI scoring. (12:12) Alcides Escobar had a game big on Monday as he notched a 1st inning triple and also narrowly scored the game tying run n the 9th. Josh Bell also made...
Sep 07, 2021•32 min•Ep. 146
The Nationals lost to the Mets 13-6 in a game that was competitive until the top of the 9th. Mark & Al recap Josiah Gray's second straight clunker of a start, which immediately began with him surrendering four runs. What is the appropriate level of concern to have on Gray right now? (15:20) Riley Adams got the start behind the plate as opposed to Keibert Ruiz. Mark explains why that was the case and what to maybe expect for Monday. (18:48) The bullpen on Sunday was all over the map as a few ...
Sep 06, 2021•44 min•Ep. 145
The Nats and Mets split their doubleheader Saturday in D.C. Game 1 saw New York blow a 9-0 lead, but they ultimately prevailed 11-9 in extras (9 innings). The Nationals took Game 2 by a score of 4-3 to end a seven game losing streak. Al & Mark recap the action packed day in Navy Yard by tipping their caps to Andrew Stevenson, who homered in Game 1 to force extra innings. Alcides Escobar and Luis Garcia also had noteworthy days at the ballpark. (17:22) Carter Kieboom had a big day at the plat...
Sep 05, 2021•49 min•Ep. 144
The Nats lost 6-2 in ten innings to the Mets after Washington scored two runs in the ninth to force extras. Mark & Al dissect the final frames, highlighted by Andrew Stevenson's collision at home to score the tying run. (8:23) Riley Adams had a huge night at the plate while getting his first start at catcher since Keibert Ruiz was called up. Adams got on base four times Friday evening, including three hits. How will starts at catcher be parceled out for this series? (18:58) Juan Soto homered...
Sep 04, 2021•51 min•Ep. 143
The Nats lost 7-6 to Philadelphia despite leading 6-0 entering the sixth inning. Mark & Al recap yet another rough day for the Nationals bullpen, which made a habit this summer of blowing leads against the Phils. Luis Garcia played a large role in losing the lead as he made two poor plays in a row in the top of the 8th, which led to three runs. (17:58) Paolo Espino pitched very well, but ends up with a no-decision. He threw five scoreless frames before allowing two runners on base in the piv...
Sep 03, 2021•47 min•Ep. 142
The Nats lost 12-6 to the Phillies as Patrick Corbin's nightmare season continued. Al & Mark begin with the surprising pregame news that Victor Robles is being sent down to AAA Rochester. Should we have seen this demotion coming? Will he wear a Nationals uniform again? (15:23) Corbin had another rough outing and allowed a pair of HRs in the process. His evening started off smooth, but everything changed starting in the fourth. At what point can we have a serious conversation on whether or no...
Sep 01, 2021•45 min•Ep. 141
The Nats lost 7-4 to the Phillies to open up the eight game homestand. Mark & Al discuss Keibert Ruiz's Washington debut, which did not meet the pregame buzz. The Nationals quickly fell behind 3-0 and Ruiz came up empty with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first. Ruiz did hit a bloop single in the eighth to end his evening 1 for 4 at the plate. Where does Riley Adams fit in now that Ruiz will start most everyday behind the dish? (14:20) Josiah Gray allowed six runs in four innings and ...
Aug 31, 2021•47 min•Ep. 140
The Nats lost 9-4 to the Mets, but the big news of the day came during pregame as Keibert Ruiz will make his Washington debut behind the plate on Monday night. Al & Tim react to the mildly surprising news that Ruiz will get called up before the calendar flips to September. Was this decision made for baseball reasons, box office reasons, or both? (16:20) Victor Robles yet again was not in the starting lineup,, are they giving up on him? Luis Garcia has struggled at the plate, can you count on...
Aug 30, 2021•54 min•Ep. 139
The Nats lost 5-3 to the Mets as the bullpen relinquished the lead in the 7th. Al & Mark recap the solid start by Sean Nolin, who lasted until the sixth inning before the hosts dive into the pen. What to make of Nolin after he pitched well and lasted more than five frames? (14:32) Lane Thomas got the nod in CF over Victor Robles and had a pair of doubles while hitting leadoff. Do we have ourselves a "developing situation" long term in CF? (19:55) Alcides Escobar reminded New Yorkers of anoth...
Aug 29, 2021•40 min•Ep. 138
