The Nats lost 5-1 in Game 1 of a Doubleheader vs. the Mets. Mark & Al are dumbfounded by the continuing offensive ineptitude, especially against non-elite starting pitching. Why wasn't Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup vs. the lefty David Peterson? (9:10) Alex Avila picked up where Yan Gomes left off on Friday night behind the dish. Is this the best defensive catching tandem in team history? (13:05) Joe Ross has a rough outing, coming off his career best last weekend. Francisco Lindor homered off...
Jun 20, 2021•24 min•Ep. 77
The Nats shutout the NL East leading Mets 1-0 to open a crucial four game series. Al & Tim recap the decisive bottom of the 9th, capped by Yan Gomes knocking in Juan Soto. Did New York go to their closer Edwin Diaz too early? (6:13) Plenty of praise is given to Fedde, who now owns a streak of twenty consecutive scoreless innings. Can we officially consider him a good pitcher? What does this mean for the rotation moving forward? (16:40) Kyle Finnegan and Brad Hand each were excellent out of t...
Jun 19, 2021•38 min•Ep. 76
The Nationals swept Pittsburgh with a 3-1 victory Wednesday afternoon behind the Legend that is Paolo Espino for a fourth straight win. Al & Mark praise Espino for his five scoreless innings that resulted in his first career Major League win; fifteen years after he was drafted in the tenth round. Do we need to get the Paolo shirts printed ? Plus, another solid performance by the Bullpen, including a five out save by Brad Hand. (15:49) The Nats had another sluggish day at the plate except for...
Jun 17, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 75
The Nationals beat up on the Pirates 8-1 for a 3rd straight win. Mark & Al evaluate Patrick Corbin's evening, unquestionably his best start of his season. (10:32) Yan Gomes effectively ended the game in the opening inning with his Grand Slam to give Washington a 5-0 lead. This was the headliner for a good offensive night as Trea Turner got back over .300, Jordy Mercer had a trio of hits, and Kyle Schwarber continued pacing the team in the leadoff spot. (25:25) Max Scherzer was placed on the ...
Jun 16, 2021•43 min•Ep. 74
The Nats topped Pittsburgh 3-2 to move out of last place. Mark & Al highlight how good the pitching has been in the past ten games before celebrating Kyle Schwarber's recent productive run in the leadoff spot. Should Schwarber hit leadoff vs. a left hander on Tuesday? (11:02) Juan Soto had a very poor throw home on a sacrifice fly. Is his shoulder still an issue? Plus, Jon Lester still can't earn a win, but had another solid outing. Should we be concerned by his trend of always having a high...
Jun 15, 2021•37 min•Ep. 73
The Nats shutout San Francisco 5-0 to earn a series split. Al & Mark wonder if this is the best pitched series in team history, as they only allowed three runs in four games. Joe Ross tossed eight shutout innings for the best outing of his career, while striking out nine. Is he about to turn a corner at age 28? (11:48) Kyle Schwarber hit 2 HRs as leadoff hitter, which effectively sealed the Giants fate early in the game. Have the Nationals figured out their leadoff situation? Plus, Josh Harr...
Jun 14, 2021•44 min•Ep. 72
The Nationals dropped the 2nd game of their doubleheader, 2-1 in extras to the Giants. Al & Mark spend plenty of time scratching their heads over Victor Robles decision to tag up from first base in the 8th inning, which led to a backbreaking double play. Will he be benched on Sunday for the crucial mental error? (13:02) Jefry Rodriguez was called up from AAA and threw four shutout innings in a spot start. Will he continue to get opportunities in Washington this season? (22:28) Preview of Joe...
Jun 13, 2021•27 min•Ep. 71
The Nats opened the doubleheader with 2-0 victory over San Francisco as Erick Fedde finally returned to the mound. Mark & Al evaluate Fedde's outing, which was dominant just like his last start in Arizona. It's fitting that he went up against Kevin Gausman, a fellow former 1st round pick, who was a late bloomer. (9:38) Kyle Schwarber made Davey Martinez look good by hitting a leadoff HR in the 1st. Do you like this approach in a shortened seven inning game? (13:38) Josh Harrison hit a RBI do...
Jun 13, 2021•27 min•Ep. 70
The Nats were shutout 1-0 by San Francisco as the home stand couldn't have started in a worse fashion. Al & Tim discuss the post World Series curse that seems to continually hover over the organization as Max Scherzer was injured in the top of the 1st. Do you feel better that Scherzer's injury isn't arm related? (11:25) Tips of the cap to the Bullpen for basically throwing a complete game and only allowing one run. Paolo Espino was unfortunately handed the loss despite throwing 50 pitches wi...
Jun 12, 2021•36 min•Ep. 69
The Nats prevailed 9-7 in 11 innings over Tampa Bay. Al & Mark open with yet another heavy usage night for the bullpen as Patrick Corbin only made it through five innings. Did you agree with using Daniel Hudson & Brad Hand as much as they pitched? Props need to be given to Tanner Rainey, as he recorded his first career save. (15:25) The offense had a very productive evening, including three homers hit between Ryan Zimmerman and Juan Soto. What has led to Zimmerman's success at the plate ...
Jun 10, 2021•36 min•Ep. 68
The Nationals were topped 3-1 at Tampa Bay for their 3rd straight defeat. Mark & Al pinpoint the moments where the offense underwhelmed again, including the nearly impossible to believe stat where the team is hitting .145 with the bases loaded this season. They give their reactions to the unconventional decision to hit Kyle Schwarber leadoff. Plus, should Josh Bell have been sent home in the 7th on the Harrison hit? (17:23) Jon Lester did not give up many runs, but didn't even last four inni...
Jun 09, 2021•41 min•Ep. 67
The Nats were doubled up in Philadelphia 12-6 in a game that took over four hours. Al & Mark recap the Bullpen Game that went awry in the middle innings for Washington. The beginning of the afternoon started well until Austin Voth had his nose broken during a rare at bat. (10:01) A round-up of the interminable 4th inning, that saw the Phillies score seven times without getting an extra-base hit. Will Sam Clay be on the roster come next series? The guys then compare Tanner Rainey to another f...
Jun 07, 2021•42 min•Ep. 66
The Nats lost 5-2 at the Phillies on Saturday afternoon. Mark & Al yet again must run through the futile offensive numbers as the Nationals couldn't break it open against the vulnerable Philadelphia bullpen. They react to what seems to be an increasingly frustrated Davey Martinez. (16:33) Joe Ross was untouchable early in his start, but a Josh Bell error led to Ross falling apart in the 4th. Why does this always seem to be the pattern when Ross pitches? (24:56) Washington will have a Bullpen...
Jun 06, 2021•41 min•Ep. 65
The Nationals held on 2-1 in Philadelphia to open the weekend series. Al takes the reins by himself to tell the tale of the pitchers duel that Washington prevailed in. He begins by putting in perspective how well the Nats defense has been so far this year, crystallized by Alex Avila tagging out a pinch runner halfway across the diamond, bringing new meaning to the term "TOOTBLAN". (13:18) Max Scherzer outdueled Zack Wheeler, lasted until the bottom of the 8th, and threw over 100 pitches in the v...
Jun 05, 2021•37 min•Ep. 64
The Nats lost 5-1 in Atlanta Thursday afternoon to split the four game series. Mark & Al focus on the missed opportunity by the offense as they were blanked by Tucker Davidson, an unheralded prospect. Al throws out an idea on who could help inject life into the lineup, can you guess who it is? (17:35) Patrick Corbin was unscathed through five innings, but the wheels came off in the 6th. Mark explains the mechanics as to why he is having trouble fooling hitters this season. (25:34) Paolo Espi...
Jun 03, 2021•33 min•Ep. 63
The Nationals defeated the Braves 5-3 for their 2nd straight victory. Al & Mark not only have another win to talk about, but they have another Juan Soto HR to discuss. Is it too early to say he's back to his usual self? Yan Gomes had a sterling evening on both sides of the dish, throwing out a stealing Ronald Acuna Jr. and then breaking a late tie with a go ahead solo shot in the 8th. (14:01) The one bit of bad news Wednesday was an injury suffered by Kyle Schwarber after an attempted diving...
Jun 03, 2021•34 min•Ep. 62
The Nationals beat the Braves 11-6 to end their losing streak on an eventful and long evening in Atlanta. Al & Mark begin by wondering whether this was overall a good or bad night for Nats fans. The good was the Juan Soto leading the offense with 3 hits (including a HR), the bad was Stephen Strasburg exiting in the 2nd inning due a tight right trapezius muscle. They choose the good and give props not only to Soto, but also Ryan Zimmerman, who continues tearing the cover off the ball. (18:09)...
Jun 02, 2021•45 min•Ep. 61
The Nationals lost their fifth in a row, a 5-3 defeat in Atlanta on Memorial Day. Mark & Al look at how the lineup was yet again shuffled, headlined by the Juan Soto Leadoff Experiment being abandoned after just one game. Mark then stuns Al with Victor Robles lineup news that is expected on Tuesday. (13:08) Joe Ross had a miserable beginning to his outing and then flipped the switch to finish it in dominant fashion. Why does he have a tendency to be so "Jekyll & Hyde"? Will he keep his r...
Jun 01, 2021•31 min•Ep. 60
The Nats were shutout 3-0 by Milwaukee for a disappointing end to the home stand. Al begins the episode by simply posing to Mark, "Have we hit the low point?". (8:34) Juan Soto had another long day at the ballpark as he was caught stealing in the 1st and part of a controversial at bat with umpire Sam Holbrook later in the game, that resulted in an ejection to Kevin Long. What can be done to get Soto out of his funk? Al has a rather creative idea. (20:26) The guys pose the question of whether or ...
May 31, 2021•41 min•Ep. 59
The Nats lost 6-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader against Milwaukee. Al & Mark dissect the very costly baserunning miscue in the bottom of the 4th. Was the mistake made by Josh Bell, Jordy Mercer, or Bob Henley? (12:57) Ryan Zimmerman had two doubles and is crushing left-handed pitching. If there is any advice Nats Chat can give Davey Martinez, it's have Ryan Zimmerman hit against southpaws as much possible. (16:12) Trea Turner made two memorable plays Saturday night, one on the bases, the...
May 30, 2021•37 min•Ep. 58
The Nationals dropped the opener of a doubleheader 4-1 to the visiting Brewers. Mark & Al shine the light on Juan Soto's continuing slugging slump. His on-base and slugging percentage remain near mirror images of each other. Have we figured the source of these struggles? (12:50) Luis Garcia had an unusual early exit in the top of the 3rd due to cramping in his hamstring. Was the weather to blame for the mysterious injury? (14:48) Patrick Corbin's disappointing 2021 season continued as he yet...
May 30, 2021•24 min•Ep. 57
The Nats were shutout by Cincinnati 3-0 to lose the series. Al & Mark yet again need to focus on sleepy offensive output for Washington. Juan Soto had three hits in the series, but his lack of slugging remains a concern. As games like this continue to stack up, will this affect the status of the hitting coach? (13:46) Recap of Stephen Strasburg's start, that began by allowing a leadoff HR. How did his stuff look in his 2nd start since returning from the IL? (18:48) This begins our "Festivus"...
May 28, 2021•34 min•Ep. 56
The Nationals defeated the Reds 5-3 in a game that took two days to complete due to inclement weather on Wednesday evening. Al & Mark recap the victory where Joe Ross helped himself with his arm, bat, and glove in the first four innings. Will this keep him in the rotation when Erick Fedde returns to the roster? (4:32) The bullpen needed five men to seal the deal on Thursday afternoon. Were the Nats expecting more than two innings from Austin Voth? They then dissect the 8th inning where Tanne...
May 28, 2021•17 min•Ep. 55
The Nationals lost 2-1 at home to the Reds. Mark & Al open with a familiar 2021 theme, which is a struggling Washington offense. Is Juan Soto still not right? Why did Ryan Zimmerman pinch hit for Kyle Schwarber instead of Starlin Castro in the 9th? On the bright side, Josh Bell has raised his batting average 80 points in the past two weeks. (11:57) The Nationals wasted a solid pitching performance by Max Scherzer as he struck out nine. The hosts recap the ace's outing, as the two homers he a...
May 26, 2021•35 min•Ep. 54
The Nationals held off the Orioles 6-5 to complete the three game sweep. Al & Mark look at how they overcame another disastrous top of the 1st with a heavy dose of early offense. They then put in perspective the recent hot streak for the previously maligned duo of Josh Bell & Kyle Schwarber. (12:21) Juan Soto did not run out a pop up with two outs that unexpectedly landed in fair territory and cost Washington a run. Mark gives his take on Davey Martinez admonishing his star player afterw...
May 24, 2021•44 min•Ep. 53
The Nationals beat Baltimore 12-9 despite falling behind 5-0 in the 1st. Al & Mark open the discussion on Josh Harrison, who hit a grand slam that changed the game around in the 3rd, while also playing a new position in the field. (9:40) Ryan Zimmerman had a banner day between clubbing a 3 run HR to take Washington's first lead of the game and setting a franchise record for runs scored. The hosts point out that we are used to the fans asking Zim for curtain calls, but how much more these mom...
May 23, 2021•40 min•Ep. 52
The Nats held off Baltimore 4-2 on a beautiful Friday night in D.C. Mark & Al evaluate Stephen Strasburg's first start since returning from the IL; with the largest crowd of the season on-hand. Did Strasburg look like his usual self? (9:21) Josh Bell had his best night yet as a Nat, as he had three hits and also made a crucial defensive play to save a run in the 6th. The hosts focus on the important moment and what led to Bell making the heads-up play. Al then resurfaces his reasons as to wh...
May 22, 2021•37 min•Ep. 51
The Nats were defeated 5-2 at the Cubs to wrap-up their road trip. Al & Mark evaluate where the 5th starter situation stands after Joe Ross is now 0-3 in four May starts. Will he get another start before Erick Fedde returns from the IL? There of course are updated gripes regarding the Washington offense. (9:48) The first quarter of the season is in the books and it certainly has been a disappointing start. The hosts run through where things stand and what adjustments should be considered for...
May 21, 2021•34 min•Ep. 50
The Nats edged the Cubs 4-3 on a very active Wednesday in Chicago. Mark & Al analyze the controversial rule that led to Trea Turner being called out yet again for running inside the baseline. Davey Martinez, just like Game 6 in Houston, adamantly defended Turner and was ejected for doing his best impression of Lou Piniella. (11:44) Juan Soto hit his first homer in weeks, however he was thrown out for trying to steal second base at a crucial point in the 9th inning. Will this 3 hit game be th...
May 20, 2021•35 min•Ep. 49
The Nationals lost 6-3 at the Cubs for a 2nd straight defeat. Al & Mark yet again have no choice but to talk about the struggling offense, as Washington stranded 11 men on base. Will things turnaround if Juan Soto continues to lack power? (13:16) A recap of Patrick Corbin's mediocre start, Al explains what "Corbin got BABIP'd" means. Focus turns to his battery mate Yan Gomes, who very quietly is having a strong season defensively. (22:48) A preview of Max Scherzer's Wednesday night start at ...
May 19, 2021•35 min•Ep. 48
