Nats Chat

The Nationals and their four game win streak were defeated 6-1 as Atlanta starter Huascar Ynoa stole the show. Al & Mark react to the loss and open their conversation with the activation of both Juan Soto and Will Harris. Soto's pinch hit appearance in the 8th was met with a rousing reaction from the home crowd. How long will his role be limited to just hitting? (11:11) Tanner Rainey gave up the g...

The division leading Nationals topped Miami 3-1 to complete the weekend sweep and return to .500. Al & Mark provide many accolades to Max Scherzer, who authored a dominant performance on the same day that his wife was due to give birth, adding to his long list of legendary outings in Washington.  (14:58) Ryan Zimmerman continued his excellent season so far with a decisive 3-run HR in the 3rd. Does...

The Nats beat Miami 7-2 for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Al & Mark react to the good vibes surrounding the team at the moment and Patrick Corbin's stellar start. Why has he had such a "Jekyll & Hyde" season so far? (13:47) The offense had a good day and Josh Bell led the way with 4 RBIs, including a 3 run double off former National Ross Detwiler. Mark then points out the pa...

The Nationals beat the Marlins 2-1 in extras as Kyle Schwarber hit a lead-off 2 run HR in the 10th (Yes, you read that last part correctly). Al & Mark react to the victory which prior to extra innings saw yet another anemic game for the Washington offense. Why was Ryan Zimmerman not given at least one at bat in this game? (12:42) Victor Robles was caught stealing again and the Nats difficulties on...

The Nationals beat up on the Blue Jays 8-2 in Dunedin, FL to split the short series. Mark & Al marvel at another strong outing by Erick Fedde, who has an ERA of 2.61 over his last four starts. Has he staked a claim to stay in the rotation long-term this season? (13:46) The offense gave Nats fans a lot to enjoy between Trea Turner's four hits, Ryan Zimmerman's continued production when given the ch...

The Nats lost 9-5 to the Blue Jays in Dunedin, FL despite hitting four home runs. Al & Mark discuss Max Scherzer's worst start of the season as he allowed 5 earned runs, including a grand slam crushed by Vlad Guerrero Jr. Why did it seem like Max was uncomfortable all evening? They also dive into Josh Harrison's rough game, between committing a pivotal error and being thrown out on a steal attempt...

The Nats were shutout 4-0 at the Mets, the 5th time they have been held scoreless this season. Al & Mark run through all the reasons the offense couldn't plate a run; ranging from bad luck, no production, poor base running, and Trea Turner missing a crucial at bat due to a forearm contusion. (13:17) Mark gives all the latest that we know regarding Juan Soto returning to the roster. (16:43) Patrick...

The Nats beat the Mets 7-1 as a new look lineup card scored in each of the first five innings. Mark & Al praise Davey Martinez for pushing the right buttons as Josh Harrison and Yadiel Hernandez provided a much needed spark to the offense at the top of the lineup. (14:20) Joe Ross was impressive in victory, vastly improving upon his last outing. What are realistic expectations this season for him...

The Nats were held scoreless 6-0 Friday night in New York as Jacob deGrom stole the show. Al & Mark tip their caps to the best pitcher in the game after he struck out 15 and only allowed two hits.  (13:02) Free agent additions Josh Bell & Kyle Schwarber are both hitting below. 200. How soon before this changes from early season slump to long-term concern? The hosts then analyze Erick Fedde's outin...

The Nats shutout the Cardinals 1-0 behind Max Scherzer & their main trio of relievers. Al & Mark put in perspective the team's record thus far, considering all the obstacles the team has dealt with. They then evaluate Scherzer's performance thus far this season as his ERA is 1.80 through four starts, including back to back scoreless outings. (13:08) Tanner Rainey, Daniel Hudson, and Brad Hand for...

The Nationals edged St. Louis 3-2 after an eventful day at the ballpark. Al & Mark set the scene as less than a hour before the game Juan Soto was scratched from the lineup and placed on the 10 day IL due to a left shoulder strain. Once the game began, the Nats fortunes changed as Patrick Corbin bounced back in a big way with 6 shutout innings. Why didn't Corbin stay in the game though to pitch th...

The Nats were routed 12-5 in a series opener at home against St. Louis as Joe Ross allowed ten runs and four homers in less than five innings. Al & Mark recap yet another poor outing by a Nationals starting pitcher and how the bullpen has been continually been put in bad situations as a result.  (11:52) The hosts discuss Josh Bell's slumping start to his Washington career as he is hitting well bel...

Sunday was not a good day for the Nationals as it began with news that Stephen Strasburg has been placed on the 10 day IL due to right shoulder inflammation. Veteran Paolo Espino then started in Strasburg's place and Washington lost 5-2 to Arizona for a series split. Mark & Al update everything we know so far about Strasburg's injury. (12:27) The circumstances behind Espino's start reminds Mark of...

The Nationals have won two straight for the first time this season as they defeated Arizona 6-2. Al & Tim Shovers analyze Erick Fedde's impressive start, that saw him strikeout 9 Diamondbacks, tying a career high. (9:32) The offense was impressive as it tallied 15 hits, including a trio of Nats who had 3 hits apiece. However, Victor Robles did not start as Andrew Stevenson got the nod in CF. Anyth...

The Nationals had their 2nd walk-off win of the season as Kyle Schwarber slugged a mammoth solo homer for 1-0 win over Arizona. This came on the heels of Max Scherzer striking out 10 in 7 innings. Al & Mark focus on the importance of the Nats taking advantage of a fantastic start from Scherzer, the ace passing a historic name on the all-time strikeout list, and the impressive roar from the reduced...

The Nationals lost the opener of their home stand 11-6 to Arizona, as Patrick Corbin allowed 10 runs in just 2 innings. Al & Mark try and figure out what has been plaguing Corbin in his first two starts to the season, as his ERA is currently above 21. How concerned should fans be about the lefty? (14:00) Victor Robles was replaced mid-game by Andrew Stevenson in CF in the top of the 5th. Was it a...

The Nats blanked St. Louis 6-0 on Wednesday afternoon to win their first series of the season. Mark & Al react to Joe Ross' second straight scoreless outing. What are realistic expectations for Ross in 2021? What do we need to see to no longer think of him as the 5th starter?  (12:55) Josh Harrison had 6 hits in St. Louis after missing the first 6 games of the season due to COVID protocol. The guy...

The Nats were routed 14-3 by the Cardinals Tuesday evening as Stephen Strasburg had one of his worst career starts, allowing 8 runs in 4+ innings. Al & Mark run through Strasburg's outing and the camera controversy in the tunnel that dominated the postgame conversation. Anything physically wrong with Strasburg or was it just poor mechanics? (13:37) The 5th inning was a nightmare for Washington rel...

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...

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...

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. Sho...

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...

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...

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 1s...

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...