Nats Chat

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire
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A Washington Nationals podcast offering recap and analysis after every game, plus all the breaking news throughout the year. Hosted by Mark Zuckerman of natsjournal.com & Al Galdi, host of "The Al Galdi Podcast". For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tim Shovers at natschatpodcast@gmail.com.

  1. 19 hr ago

    Scorching Hot Garcia Jr. Homers Twice in Win

    The Nats topped the Orioles 6-4 on Sunday afternoon to bounce back and win the weekend series. Mark (From Camden Yards) & Al throw all the flowers to Luis Garcia Jr., who has been red-hot lately.  Garcia went deep twice, roped a 2-run double, and collected 5 RBIs in the victory.  Washington is now back above .500 after winning both Saturday & Sunday. (05:00) Garcia Jr. stunningly has homered six times in the last six days.  He has hit 10 home runs this month and his OPS in June is an astronomical 1.142. (17:00) Revisiting Blake Butera's decision on Saturday night to lift James Wood late in the game for a Jacob Young defensive substitution.  The game extended intro extras and Young had to bat instead of Wood in a close affair. (23:00) Zack Littell started and lasted five innings in earning the win.  He allowed a pair of runs and he will enter July with a 5.29 ERA. (25:30) Mitchell Parker exited his relief appearance in pain and he possibly suffered an elbow injury. (31:00) The Nats move their road trip to Fenway Park for a series that begins on Monday night. Washington currently trails St. Louis by two games for the final wildcard spot.    Link to this episode sponsor: https://ccanactionfund.org/2026-ev-raffle/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    34 min

  2. 1 day ago

    Extra-Inning Win to Snap the Skid

    The Nats ended their four game losing streak with a 4-3 win on Saturday night in ten innings. Al recaps the Camden Yards victory over the Orioles that returns the Nationals to .500 in the standings. (04:30) Foster Griffin was fantastic as he only gave up one unearned run in seven innings of work.  Griffin lasted 112 pitches and struck out nine Orioles in his outing. The lefty's ERA is at 2.93 and he is firmly in All-Star Game consideration. (07:30) The bullpen followed its recent routine of blowing a late lead. Justin Lawrence however notched the save in the bottom of the 10th in his first appearance with the team. (15:30) James Wood was curiously lifted late in the game in favor of Jacob Young's glove in the bottom of the 8th.  The slumping James Wood was went 0 for 4 w/ a trio of strikeouts. (18:00) The red-hot Luis Garcia Jr. homered again and collected four hits in the win.  Garcia's OPS this month is a jaw dropping 1.045. (27:10) Tim is joined by Doug Foster, a descendant of Rube Foster, who created the Negro Leagues.  Doug recently co-hosted a panel alongside Sean Gibson for Negro Leagues Night at Nationals Park. Link to this episode sponsor: https://ccanactionfund.org/2026-ev-raffle/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min

  3. 2 days ago

    4th Straight Loss

    The Nats lost 3-1 on Friday night in Baltimore for their 4th consecutive loss.  Mark (From Camden Yards) & Al recap the defeat that dropped the Nationals to below the .500 mark through 83 games played. (05:20) James Wood threw out a runner at 3rd base and made another highlight worthy catch.  Wood is currently slumping, but he did double on Friday evening. This leads to a discussion on the improved team outfield defense this season. (11:40) Blake Butera has shown that he is willing to sacrifice defense for a shot at scoring runs. Jose Tena found himself in the outfield on Friday and Andres Chaparo took over at 3B. (15:30) Andrew Alvarez was lifted in the 5th as he allowed two earned runs while issuing a trio of walks. Alvarez's ERA is currently at 3.44 after ten outings on the mound. (20:20) Brad Lord bounced back a bit after Tuesday night's meltdown.  He recorded eight outs and only allowed one Baltimore run. (22:00) Updates on Trevor Williams and Jake Irvin. (25:00) Foster Griffin will take the mound on Saturday night.  Link to this episode sponsor: https://ccanactionfund.org/2026-ev-raffle/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min

  4. 3 days ago

    Bullpen Evaporates the 5-Run Lead

    The bullpen woes continued on Thursday night as an an early Nationals lead resulted in a 10-5 Phillies victory.  Mark & Al convene after the 3rd straight loss that saw a reliever implode in the top of the 9th every step of the way.  Washington is back to .500 through 82 games played this season. (04:30) Blake Butera agreed with Mark's assessment that some relievers "pitched scared" while on the mound this week. (07:00) Mitchell Parker gave up three runs while only recording one out.  Parker's ERA is now up to 6.39 on the season. (09:30) Bryce Harper homered in the 9th and then motioned to the Tarp's Off crowd after crossing home plate.  Harper was adamant afterwards that it was his ring finger that he used to point to the crowd. (18:00) The bullpen has given up the most homers in all of Baseball.  Will Paul Toboni try to make a trade in July as opposed to wait until the Trade Deadline on August 3rd? (25:00) Cade Cavalli pitched well as he did not give up any runs until the 6th.  Butera afterwards told him that he looked like a #1 pitcher in the outing. (28:00) The offense jumped all over Cy Young candidate Christophe Sanchez as they scored four runs in the bottom of the 1st.  Curtis Mead homered off of Sanchez and ironically those two were traded for each other in the past.  (32:30) CJ Abrams still has a chance to start in next month's All-Star Game, but James Wood will only be able to make it as a reserved.  Abrams and Mookie Betts were the top two vote getting shortstops in Phase 1 of the fan voting. (35:30) Daylen Lile performed while with both the bat and glove on Thursday.  Lile singled, doubled, and made a spectacular catch in LF. (39:00) The Nationals visit the Orioles this weekend for a three game series.  Washington took off two of three against Baltimore last month.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min

  5. 4 days ago

    Bullpen Blows Another Lead

    The Nats suffered another gut punch loss from the Phillies despite being an out away from victory.  Al & Mark convene after the Nationals 5-4 loss on Wednesday night puts them at 41-40 overall. Derek Hill hit a 2-run shot off of Richard Lovelady in the top of the 9th to flip the lead. (04:30) What are Paul Toboni's options (if any) in order to improve this bullpen? (06:30) PJ Poulin did his job as he retired all four batters faced. (12:00) Should Orlando Ribalta have intentionally walked Kyle Schwarber in the top of the 9th with first base open?  Schwarber ended up walking anyways. (20:15) Carson Palmquist had a busy Wednesday as he was called up, tossed over three innings, and then demoted back to AAA after the game. (25:30) The offense combined for a trio of homers in the defeat. Luis Garcia Jr. & Curtis Mead each now have hit 13 home runs this season and Jorbit Vivas has gone deep in two straight games.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min

  6. 5 days ago

    Phillies Give Lord a 9th Inning Nightmare

    The Nats were an out away from a pivotal win over the Phillies but instead it all fell apart in the 9th.  Mark & Al gather after the stunning 14-9 loss that saw Philadelphia score eight runs in the top of the 9th. Brad Lord struck out out the first two hitters of the frame, but then ten straight Phillies reached base. (07:15) The staff needed eight pitchers to get through Tuesday night's game. Richard Lovelady began the top of the 8th but was ultimately charged with three runs after inheriting a 5-3 lead. Paxton Schultz took over for Lord in the 9th and was optioned to AAA after the game. (12:45) The bullpen was charged with two blown saves and lead the majors in most homers allowed. (17:30) Zack Littell relieved PJ Poulin after an inning and lasted four frames as the bulk starter. (22:40) The offense jumped out to a 5-0 lead and homered twice in the loss.  Jorbit Vivas shockingly went deep in the bottom of the 8th to take back the lead for the time being and Luis Garcia Jr. had a pinch-hit solo homer in the 9th. (27:00) Nasim Nuñez swiped a pair of bags and now leads MLB with 31 steals.  Nuñez is well on pace to break CJ Abrams Nationals record of 47 stolen bases from a few years ago. (31:30) Miles Mikolas will take the mound as the Nationals trail Phillies by 2.5 games in the standings.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min

  7. 6 days ago

    Griffin Stymies the Phils

    The Nats beat the Phillies 4-1 on Monday night and have guaranteed themselves a winning record at the upcoming midway point of the season. Mark & Al examine the victory that saw a pair of homers from the potent offense. Washington is currently 1.5 games back of Philadelphia for the 2nd wildcard spot. (04:30) Luis Garcia Jr.'s solo homer put Washington ahead 2-1 in the 2nd. Curtis Mead later on hit a 2-run shot to give the Nats some breathing room. (14:00) Dylan Crews began the scoring with a RBI single in the bottom of the 1st. Crews' OPS is now up to .625 after his recent surge. (18:00) Nasim Nuñez made another great defensive play, but he also was charged with an error in a separate sequence.  Nuñez did steal his 29th bag of the season which leads all of the majors. (20:45) Foster Griffin was excellent as he only allowed one run in 7.1 IP. Griffin's ERA is down to 3.15 and he is earning legit All-Star consideration. (27:40) Clayton Beeter notched his 6th save of the season which is tied for the team lead along with Gus Varland. (29:00) DJ Herz's rehab has been halted due to a right flexor muscle strain. Herz has not taken the Big League mound since 2024 and he had Tommy John Surgery in April of 2025.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min

  8. 22 Jun

    Rays Rally Past Ribalta in the 7th

    The Nats lost a rare series as they came up short on Sunday with a 4-3 defeat at the Rays. Mark & Al begin with Daylen Lile getting caught stealing and how it put a dent in the 9th inning comeback effort. (07:00) CJ Abrams homered every game this series and he now has the 3rd most RBI in all of MLB. (11:00) A check in on the defense through the 1st Half of the season. (16:45) Dylan Crews had a RBI double on Sunday and the extra base hits continue to pile up. (19:45) Nasim Nuñez's OPS is over .900 this month and he was 2 for 3 on Sunday. Nuñez & Witt Jr. are tied with 28 steals which leads all of Baseball. (21:15) Andrew Alvarez only lasted four innings and struck out six Rays. Alvarez is striking out hitters and his ERA currently sits at 3.34. (26:00) Orlando Ribalta gave up the decisive 2-run HR to Johnny DeLuca in the bottom of the 7th.  Washington's bullpen has given up more homers than any other team. (30:00) Philadelphia comes to Navy Yard on Monday for a pivotal four game series. Kyle Schwarber leads all of the majors in homers and Bryce Harper cycled over the weekend.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min
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About

A Washington Nationals podcast offering recap and analysis after every game, plus all the breaking news throughout the year. Hosted by Mark Zuckerman of natsjournal.com & Al Galdi, host of "The Al Galdi Podcast". For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tim Shovers at natschatpodcast@gmail.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    950
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Nats Chat
  • Show Website
    Nats Chat

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