After a rain delay that last over three hours, the Nats lost 7-5 in Philadelphia, completing a sweep. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al begin with the decision by MLB to make sure the game ended on Sunday, despite the long wait. This was a tough way to end a three city/ ten game road trip with no days off in between. (04:48) Anibal Sanchez only lasted two innings before the rain arrived, but issued three walks in that brief time. The bullpen was pressed into extra duty after the delay ended; low ...
Sep 12, 2022•26 min•Ep. 317
The Nats lost 8-5 and are 1-7 this season in Philadelphia. Al & Mark (Live from Citizens Bank Park) evaluate Erick Fedde's rough outing where his former high school teammate Bryce Harper homered off of him the 6th time in the past four years. The hosts hold a lengthy discussion about what went into the decision to pitch to Harper as opposed to walking him. Is something fundamentally wrong with developing pitching in the organization? (15:50) Cesar Hernandez played 2B on Saturday night had an...
Sep 11, 2022•40 min•Ep. 316
The Nats lost 5-3 in Philadelphia for their 90th loss overall and the 18th suffered loss by Patrick Corbin this season. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al recap a bizarre game where zero walks were issued by either pitching staff. Corbin gave up all five runs in just under seven frames, and did so in under 70 pitches. (05:41) CJ Abrams had his best game as he made two web-gems, had a hit, and stole a base. The play he made in the bottom of the 6th might be the infield highlight of the year for the...
Sep 10, 2022•49 min•Ep. 315
The Nats bounced back to beat the Cardinals 11-6, giving them a series split. Mark (Live from St. Louis) and Al praise Alex Call who exploded with four hits while hitting ninth, one night after not being make to make a leaping grab to seal the victory. Call originally was not in the lineup, but Victor Robles was a late scratch due to a stiff neck. The offense totaled 18 hits overall on Thursday. (07:17) CJ Abrams had two hits and is hitting .360 so far in September. Nelson Cruz was moved down in...
Sep 09, 2022•36 min•Ep. 314
The Nats suffered gut punch 6-5 loss in St. Louis as Kyle Finnegan could not hold onto a four run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Mark (Live from Bush Stadium) & Al though begin with the announcement of our 1st ever Podcast Party, Friday evening October 14th at Walter's Bar in Navy Yard. COME JOIN US! (6:18) The bullpen did its job prior to Finnegan entering the game as Erasmo Ramirez did a good job of bridging the gap in the middle innings. Should Davey have pulled Finnegan when trouble bega...
Sep 08, 2022•38 min•Ep. 313
The Nats lost 4-1 in St. Louis ending their bid for a 4th straight win. Mark (Live from Bush Stadium) & Al discuss the return of Nelson Cruz and the chain effect that it has on the lineup. Cruz being placed at DH means Luke Voit has to play the field and Joey Meneses has to move to the outfield. How should Cruz be handled the rest of the way? (16:10) Meneses knocked a pair of doubles on Tuesday night and joined a short list of MLB players in the process. He has 42 hits in 30 career games, an...
Sep 07, 2022•39 min•Ep. 312
The Nats won their 3rd straight on the road trip, a 6-0 shutout of the NL Central leading Cardinals. Mark (Live from St. Louis) & Al have a lot of positive stats to sort through as Washington has won six of their past eight games. (04:39) CJ Abrams had a four hit afternoon, which included a triple. He seemingly has looked more comfortable at the plate in this recent stretch and he clearly has the ""wheels" when he runs the bases. Keibert Ruiz also had a big game as he slugged his 7th homer o...
Sep 06, 2022•38 min•Ep. 311
The Nats beat the Mets again 7-1 in the series rubber match. Al & Mark (Live from Citi Field) marvel at how the team has won five of their past seven games and were able to take a series against a 1st place club in a tight divisional race. The offense had a lot of key contributors, including Keibert Ruiz who came up with three hits in a game that he specifically requested to play. (15:10) Ildemaro Vargas had a RBI and also played a pivotal role in a bizarre double play that benefited Washing...
Sep 05, 2022•39 min•Ep. 310
The Nats poured it on in the 9th inning for a 7-1 victory at the Mets; their fourth win in the past six games. (Mark (Live from NY) and Al recap Patrick Corbin's excellent outing where he only allowed one run in seven frames; out-dueling Max Scherzer in the process. Corbin has won his past two starts in the span of a week and has three consecutive solid outings. (12:30) The offense had a very good night and they were paced by the tandem of Luis Garcia and Lane Thomas. They combined for seven hit...
Sep 04, 2022•37 min•Ep. 309
The Nats lost 7-3 at the Mets to begin a 10 game/ 3 city road trip. Mark (Live from Flushing) and Al begin with Josiah Gray's start, which saw his pitching line marred in the 6th inning. Gray's ERA is nearing 5.00 and the hosts wonder how we should evaluate his mixed bag of a season. (14:03) Steve Cishek was part of the problem in the four run 6th inning as his season long struggles have continued as of late. Should his usage come down significantly in this final month, especially with Mason Tho...
Sep 03, 2022•38 min•Ep. 308
The Nats topped Oakland 7-5 in extras for their first walk-off win of the season as "Joey Four Bags" crushed a 3 run shot in the bottom of the 10th. Al & Tim discuss the next chapter in the unlikely story that is Joey Meneses as he now has seven homers since being called up a month ago. Meneses on Thursday had four hits and is hitting a whopping .354 with Washington. (16:10) The other unexpected August addition, Ildemaro Vargas, had a RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the 8th. He a...
Sep 02, 2022•43 min•Ep. 307
The Nats topped Oakland 5-1 behind Anibal Sanchez's sterling seven inning effort. Mark & Al discuss the veteran righty's strong start as he only allowed a Solo HR and take note of his recent successful stretch on the mound. It was the best outing he has had since Game 1 of the 2019 NLCS. (06:08) CJ Abrams had a good night at the plate as he drew his first walk and extra base hit with the Nationals. Could this be a turning point for his bat? (12:50) The offense had multiple contributors inclu...
Sep 01, 2022•38 min•Ep. 306
The Nats lost 10-6 to Oakland, but that was not the major news of the day. Mark & Al begin with stunned reaction to the news that Cade Cavalli's season is likely over as he is headed to the IL after just one MLB start. Cavalli's shoulder has inflammation and he initially felt discomfort the day after his debut. Does this effect the usage of Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore down the stretch? (10:38) The bad news continued on Monday as it also appears that Brady House's season is done in Frederi...
Aug 31, 2022•43 min•Ep. 305
The Nats beat the Reds 3-2 to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon in D.C. Mark & Al begin with the glee (or relief) that Patrick Corbin earned the victory, thus ending the startling drought of 43 consecutive games without the Washington starting pitcher recording a victory. Corbin lasted six innings before handing it off to the "A" Bullpen. (16:30) Joey Meneses continues to pace the Nationals offense as he had a hit on Sunday and his hitting .333. CJ Abrams however was hitess over the weeken...
Aug 29, 2022•35 min•Ep. 304
The Nats lost 6-2 to the Reds on Saturday night in D.C. Al hosts solo and runs through just how poor the offense continues to be this season. One of the bright spots this past month? You guessed it... Joey Meneses. (13:45) Paolo Espino was OK, but the streak of a National starter not recording a win reached a preposterous 43 games. Al does shine a spotlight through on Hunter Harvey's performance out of the bullpen this year, who has a ERA of 2.91. (19:05) Yadiel Herandez was placed on the 60 day...
Aug 28, 2022•31 min•Ep. 303
The Nationals lost 7-3 to Cincinnati in Cade Cavalli's debut. Al & Mark recap the prized pitching prospect's first start that saw him allow seven runs under five frames. They explain why he pitched better than the box score reflects on a rather humid evening in D.C where he dealt six strikeouts. (07:21) Cavalli did not get help from the defense behind him as CJ Abrams had a first inning throwing error that should have been corralled by Luke Voit. Cavalli's final inning saw more misplays, inc...
Aug 27, 2022•41 min•Ep. 302
The Nats won 3-1 in Seattle as Ildemaro Vargas hit a 2 run HR in the top of the 9th to break the tie. Mark (from T- Mobile Park) & Al though begin with the news that Cade Cavalli will make his D.C. debut on Friday night against the Reds. This is quite possibly the most important pitching debut for the organization since Stephen Strasburg in 2010. (13:45) Anibal Sanchez and the bullpen combined to hold the Mariners offense at bay. Sanchez has been pitching decently lately and he retained his ...
Aug 25, 2022•37 min•Ep. 301
The Nats were doubled up 4-2 in Seattle to open a two game series. Mark (Live from T-Mobile Park) & Al discuss how Robbie Ray had a no-hitter going until "Joey Four Bags" homered to dead center-field in the top of the 7th. Washington has never been no-hit and the last time Expos suffered that fate was in 1999. (08:24) Riley Adams returned to the Nationals and started on Tuesday as Tres Barrera was sent down to AAA. Will Adams see time at 1B or remain the backup catcher? (12:42) Erick Fedde o...
Aug 24, 2022•34 min•Ep. 300
The Nats were edged 2-1 and had to settle for a split in San Diego as yet again the offense could only muster a Solo HR (Cruz). Al & Mark (Live from California) begin with the news that the franchise will face the Phillies in the 2023 Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA. This is the first time the Nationals will be represented in a crown jewel neutral site event since their inception. (15:45) "Joey Four Bags" has not exactly been "Joey Hustle" as for the second time this month he false...
Aug 22, 2022•38 min•Ep. 299
The Nats lost 2-1 as all of San Diego's runs came off of Josh Bell & Juan Soto Solo HRs. Mark (Live form Petco Park) and Al discuss the former Nationals impact, and how it was Bell's first hit against Washington since the trade (0 for 20 prior to the homer). (5:10) Josiah Gray only lasted five frames, but did only allow one run off of four hits. He threw a lot of balls on the evening as he issued five walks in the outing; compared to only three strikeouts. (20:20) Luke Voit was scratched for...
Aug 21, 2022•34 min•Ep. 298
The Nats scored three runs off of Josh Hader in the 9th for a 6-3 victory in San Diego. Mark (Live from Petco Park) & Al open with the exciting top of the 9th that gave the Nationals their second straight win over the Padres. Hats off to Alex Call for picking a very good time to hit his first career HR. (09:22) Keibert Ruiz reached base five times, collected two hits, had a RBI and stole a base. This was a major boost to the offense since Luke Voit did not play (back tightness). (14:45) CJ A...
Aug 20, 2022•31 min•Ep. 297
The Nats held on 3-1 in San Diego as they scored two runs off of Josh Hader in the top of the 9th. Mark (Live from Petco Park) & Al run through the pitcher's duel that saw Anibal Sanchez go toe to toe with Yu Darvish. It was Sanchez's best start this season as he lasted five frames. The Padres are a surprising 6-9 since all their big acquisitions at the trade deadline. (05:53) Ildemaro Vargas homered for the first time with Washington and also singled later in the game. Vargas has been produ...
Aug 19, 2022•31 min•Ep. 296
The Nats lost the series rubber match to the Cubs 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon. Al begins with more base running blunders as Cesar Hernandez was picked off after collecting a RBI single and points out how poor their metrics are in that category compared to every other team. (06:10) Cory Abbott pitched well as he only allowed two runs in six innings. Abbott was picked up from waivers three months ago after the Giants let him go. (14:05) Al goes around MLB and brings it back home to the on-goings in...
Aug 18, 2022•27 min•Ep. 295
The Nats came up short yet again in extra innings; the latest a 7-5 loss against the Cubs. Al & Mark wonder how is it that the Nationals constantly struggle in that late stretch, as they are 3-18 in the past two seasons in extra innings. (05:48) CJ Abrams hit 7th again and earned his first hit in Washington in clutch fashion after singling in the tying run in the bottom of the 10th. Mark then gives his review of Abrams' glove work thus far. (16:05) It was another day in the life of Victor Ro...
Aug 17, 2022•33 min•Ep. 294
The Nats had arguably their most exciting victory of the season as they rallied on the Cubs for a 5-4 win. Mark & Al recap the Nationals debut for shortstop CJ Abrams. He was hit-less with a routine E6, but did show-off many signs in the field of his range and ability. Abrams is top rated prospect in the organization and was part of the Juan Soto trade. (16:25) Josiah Gray started slow, but ended his evening with an emphatic 10th strikeout. Prior to facing his final batter in the 6th, Davey ...
Aug 16, 2022•36 min•Ep. 293
The Nats were blanked in the series rubber match against the Padres 6-0. Mark & Al bring you up to speed on Sunday's lineup as the lead-off hitter was definitely someone you never have heard of before. "Joey Four Bags" was "Joey One Bag" as he had a pair of singles to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Tune in to hear how our podcast infiltrated Friday's national broadcast on Apple TV+. (06:20) We taped our episode just prior to confirmation that C.J. Abrams will be called-up on Monda...
Aug 15, 2022•33 min•Ep. 292
The Nats rallied to beat the Padres 4-3 in dramatic fashion. Al & Mark open with a rare moment of 2022 good luck as a Victor Robles 7th inning single turned into the game winning run after San Diego's catcher Austin Nola was determined to have blocked home plate. If you can explain how this rule is supposed to be properly applied, you are smarter than any of us. (08:09) The Nationals hit crucial back to back HRs in the 6th, the last of which by "Joey Four Bags". He is now at five homers in n...
Aug 14, 2022•35 min•Ep. 291
The Nats were doubled up 10-5 by San Diego in Juan Soto's abrupt return to D.C. Mark & Al examine the events around Soto playing on South Capitol Street in an opposing uniform. Juan went 2 for 6 with a RBI and Josh Bell was hit-less in five at bats. (07:48) The Washington Post on Friday reported that the Lerner's did not seek the opinions of the prospective buyers when it came to trading Soto. This re-opens the discussion as to why Washington felt the need to trade him before the Trade Deadl...
Aug 13, 2022•35 min•Ep. 290
The Nats coughed up a late lead in Chicago and lost 4-2 . Mark & Al again begin with the exploits of "Joey Four Bags" Menses as he homered in every game in this series and has four dingers in seven games. The 30 year old rookie has certainly taken advantage of his opportunity since the trade deadline. (06:40) Josiah Gray had his first good outing in awhile as he did not allow a run until the 7th inning. His afternoon came to an end after giving up his MLB leading 29th HR of the season. His b...
Aug 11, 2022•36 min•Ep. 289
The Nats snapped their six game skid with a dramatic 6-5 win at Wrigley Field. Mark (Live from the Friendly Confines) and Al celebrate "Joey Four Bags" Meneses' big night as he connected on the game winning 2 run HR in the top of the 8th. Menses has three homers since being called up a week ago in the midst of his Age 30 season. (06:40) Keibert Ruiz has his thunder stolen a bit in the victory as he homered twice early in the game. Ruiz rounded out his strong evening by throwing out a runner and ...
Aug 10, 2022•38 min•Ep. 288
