The Nationals topped St. Louis 5-2 as Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, and Josh Harrison returned to the field and added a much needed punch to the struggling offense. Mark & Al go through what we finally saw from the intended Opening Day lineup and the positive trickle down effect to pinch hitting options. (13:16) A breakdown of Nats pitching on Monday night, starting with Erick Fedde who was much more effective than his last outing. Did we also just see what Davey Martinez's preferred late innin...
Apr 13, 2021•30 min•Ep. 17
The Nationals were swept over the weekend in L.A., and were shutout in the series finale 3-0 for a fifth consecutive defeat. Clayton Kershaw blanked the struggling offense, despite a strong outing by Max Scherzer. Al & Mark shine a spotlight on how Washington has been held scoreless 3 times in their first week, and discuss how much of it is related to them being shorthanded. Just how much bad luck has the franchise been dealt so far in the young season? (13:17) Scherzer was impressive and di...
Apr 12, 2021•27 min•Ep. 16
The Nationals fell 9-5 at the Dodgers as Patrick Corbin's season debut did not make it a full 5 innings. Al & Mark dig into his start and wonder how much cause for concern there should be due to the decreased velocity on his fastball. Is it rust or a continuation from his last season? (15:30) L.A. swelled their lead in the 7th on a liner that got past a diving Andrew Stevenson in the outfield. Should Stevenson have left his feet or approached it differently with the bases loaded? They then f...
Apr 11, 2021•34 min•Ep. 15
The Nationals were blanked 1-0 by the Dodgers in their first road game of the season. It was Washington's first time back in L.A. since the 2019 NLDS, and ironically the pregame festivities were marked by the Dodgers receiving their 2020 World Series rings with the Nats (and fans) there to watch. Mark & Al look at Victor Robles' crucial base-running miscue in the 8th with Trea Turner in the batter's box, and the extent to which it cost the team. While chatting on stolen base attempts, an exa...
Apr 10, 2021•36 min•Ep. 14
The Nationals were shutout 2-0 by Atlanta to lose both games of the Wednesday doubleheader. Mark & Al look at how the shorthanded lineup was unable to give Stephen Strasburg any help, despite his dominant day on the mound. Should Ryan Zimmerman have started both games to provide an offensive lift? (15:18) The guys close the episode by previewing the weekend series in Los Angeles and what to expect rotation-wise. Will any of the players that have been held out due to the virus return to the f...
Apr 08, 2021•20 min•Ep. 13
The Nationals dropped the opener of their Wednesday doubleheader vs. Atlanta 7-6, as starting pitcher Erick Fedde was pulled in the 2nd inning. What led to the decision to hold Joe Ross until Friday night? Al & Mark give their stances on the 7 inning doubleheaders that were introduced last season before looking at what went wrong for Washington, despite getting to Max Fried in the bottom of the 1st. (11:52) They discuss the solid performance by the bullpen, headlined by southpaw Sam Clay, ma...
Apr 08, 2021•22 min•Ep. 12
The Nats opened their 2021 season with a 6-5 victory over the Braves, capped by a Juan Soto walk-off hit. Al & Mark recap the very busy Opening Day in D.C., which included fans in the stands for the first time since Game 5 of the 2019 World Series. Mark gives a firsthand account of what the 5k attendance felt like, and the role they played in the rally. The guys also praise the contributions from a slew of Nationals not originally expected to be on the Big League roster. (17:31) A look at Ma...
Apr 07, 2021•34 min•Ep. 11
Mark & Al break down the team’s postponement of Opening Day, why it happened, and when they expect the Nats to finally take the field in 2021. (21:41) For an update on the latest phase of the pandemic, the guys turn to expert (and Nats fan) Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID Director. He shares when fans might be able to return in larger numbers, when he started rooting for the Nationals, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Apr 02, 2021•37 min•Ep. 10
In our final installment of Spring Training episodes, Al & Mark react to the news that Carter Kieboom will not begin the season on the Opening Day Roster. What happens at 2B as Starlin Castro moves over to 3B? They explain what the chances are of Kieboom getting called back up in the near future. (16:47) The guys look at the rest of the roster with updates on pitchers Stephen Strasburg, Jon Lester, and Will Harris' injury. How is the early season rotation plan shaping up? Plus, how the 1B op...
Mar 29, 2021•44 min•Ep. 9
On Tuesday, Starlin Castro got the start at 3B. Will he be at the Hot Corner on Opening Day instead of the struggling Carter Kieboom? (16:45) Mark & Al explain the significance of the Washington Post report that Erick Fedde no longer has minor league options. Will the team now have to decide between keeping him or Austin Voth? (24:48) Juan Soto and Trea Turner have not been slugging this Spring. The guys wonder if this is any cause for concern for the Nationals fans. (28:55) Finally, this we...
Mar 24, 2021•38 min•Ep. 8
Al & Mark are joined by three-time Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer to discuss fans returning to the stadium, how long he might pitch for, the future of the DH, and looming labor talks in the sport (23:51). The show leads off with news that Manager Davey Martinez named Scherzer his Opening Day starter where he will face the Mets Jacob deGrom (just like 2019). (14:53) The bullpen situation is murkier with the news that Will Harris has a blood clot in his throwing arm right as Tanner Rainey makes ...
Mar 22, 2021•47 min•Ep. 7
Al & Mark lead off with all you need to know regarding the top 4 starters and how the rotation is shaping up for the start of the season. Plus, as the focus on Carter Kieboom's Spring increases, Mark updates whether or not Luis Garcia will be playing in the Big Leagues this year. (9:20) Al asks if the Nats should have been more aggressive in Free Agency this offseason. Would George Springer have made financial sense? What sort of budget was GM Mike Rizzo working with? (17:44) Washington D.C....
Mar 18, 2021•32 min•Ep. 6
On Sunday, Stephen Strasburg left the mound early with a calf strain and is day to day. With just a few weeks left until Opening Day, Al & Mark dissect what this means for Strasburg and the rotation as a whole. (19:22) With Victor Robles' encouraging Spring at the plate, do the guys feel good about him as the 2021 leadoff hitter? And as Carter Kieboom struggles, what are the 3B options for the Nats as the season nears? (31:45) The Nationals are the only MLB team that don't know whether or no...
Mar 15, 2021•45 min•Ep. 5
Starting off with a lot of rotation updates. Stephen Strasburg made his 2021 debut after barely pitching in 2020, Max Scherzer dominates the Cardinals, the 5th starter situation starts to crystallize, and a clarification on Jon Lester's surgery. (18:15) Mark & Al discuss the likelihood of stars Juan Soto and Trea Turner signing long-term extensions before becoming free agents. How will the Fernando Tatis Jr. deal affect their decisions? (28:20) DC Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke this week about th...
Mar 11, 2021•42 min•Ep. 4
The Nats off day on Sunday got busy following news that reliever Jeremy Jeffress was released for unspecified "personnel reasons". Al & Mark discuss how it affects the current bullpen situation and give an update on Tanner Rainey. (13:48) The guys also evaluate how the present and future front-lines of the rotation are looking so far this Spring. Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, Cade Cavalli, and Jackson Rutledge have all finally taken the mound. (29:34) Last season, the Nats defense was the wo...
Mar 08, 2021•43 min•Ep. 3
Mark & Al talk about the news from Florida of Jon Lester leaving camp for thyroid surgery, plus take a look at where the 3B position stands this Spring. Tune in to find out what Carter Kieboom now has in common with Cristian Guzman. (20:41) In news out of DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser denied the request to have fans at Nationals Park. Mark explains all the angles as the decision is expected to be reconsidered again later this month. When will fans finally be able to celebrate the World Series titl...
Mar 04, 2021•48 min•Ep. 2
We promised you in-depth discussion on the fifth starter on this podcast and that's exactly what we give you after Erick Fedde took the mound against the Cardinals in Jupiter, FL. Who has the inside track between him, Joe Ross, and Austin Voth? (11:07) Mark & Al react to the first lineup card of the season. Is it an indication of where Juan Soto might be slotted this year? What do they think of Victor Robles maybe hitting leadoff? (19:17) The guys give an update on Max Scherzer's ankle, when...
Mar 01, 2021•41 min•Ep. 1
Nats fans, we are excited to bring you "Nats Chat" podcast, a year-round podcast that will have episodes after every single game! Hosted by Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi. Mark of MASNsports.com, has been covering the team since it all began in 2005. Al has been talking baseball on the DMV airwaves for over 20 years, back when the Expos were still in Montreal. Enjoy this quick trailer, explaining what we are all about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Feb 23, 2021•6 min0
