Bustin’ Loose Baseball

Latest Episodes:

Headaches and Heartbreaks, Nats End First Half with Sweep by Yankees; Interviews with Curtis Mead, James Wood & CJ Abrams Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Episode 256, FULL SHOW -- The All-Star Break has arrived, and maybe it came at the perfect time for the Nats, as they were swept by the New York Yankees in their final series of the unofficial first half of the MLB season. Tobi Altizer & Producer Darris Dameron look back at another heartbreaking series of late inning losses that sent the Nationals to a game under .500 ahead of the break. What's next for the Blake Butera and the Nats bullpen? Then, the MLB Draft also took place over the weekend, where the Nationals drafted a local product with the 11th overall pick. Plus, hear interviews from Curtis Mead, James Wood and CJ Abrams as Grant Paulsen caught up with them at the ballpark on Friday. And we make our picks for the Homerun Derby and the All-Star Game.

Nats Offense and Foster Griffin Spark Series Win vs HOU; 2026 MLB Draft Preview Jul 10, 2026

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Episode 255, FULL SHOW -- Another series victory is in the books as the Nats offense continues to impress while taking two of three games versus the Houston Astros. Tobi Altizer & Grant Paulsen dive into how the 2026 Nats features three batters with 20+ homeruns, and how Foster Griffin has firmly established himself as the Ace of the Nats rotation. Then, Grant Paulsen will be in Philadelphia for the 2026 MLB Draft. He provides insight on who the Nationals could be in line to pick at #11 this coming weekend.

A Not So Happy Holiday Weekend; Robert Hassell III Designated for Assignment; James Wood Interview Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Episode 254, FULL SHOW -- The Nationals three game win streak came to a halt over the weekend as the Pirates would go on to take the final two games of the three game series to open up the longest homestand of the season so far. Tobi Altizer & Grant Paulsen were at Nats Park all weekend and breakdown what went wrong in the battle for Wild Card positioning with a surging Pittsburgh team. Then, in one of the surprises of the season so far, the Nationals DFA'd former top prospect Robert Hassell III. Tobi & Grant make sense of why the Nats felt this was the move to make. Plus, CJ Abrams and James Wood officially were named to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game roster for the National League. What's the path for a couple more candidates from the Nats to make the team? And, hear from James Wood as he joined Grant & Danny in studio on 106.7 The Fan in DC.

Conquering the Green Monster; Willits, Sime Jr. Selected to Futures Game Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

Episode 253, FULL SHOW -- It was an eventful final road series before the All-Star Break, but the Nationals came out with yet another series win, taking the final two of the three game series at historic Fenway Park against a hot Red Sox team. Tobi Alitzer & Grant Paulsen look back at a series that featured a spectacular career best performance from Cade Cavalli, James Wood breaking out of his recent slump in a big way, and another quality performance from the young LHP Andrew Alvarez. Tobi & Grant also discuss the events that led to a benches clearing event involving Cade Cavalli and Red Sox 1st Baseman Willson Contreras. And the Nats will have two representatives in the MLB Futures Game at All-Star Week. Has Eli Willits dominant early career accelerated his timeline toward the big leagues?

Rulers of the Beltway; How García Jr. Found His Groove Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Episode 252, FULL SHOW -- After a disasterous series at home versus Philadelphia, the Nats were able to hit the road up I-95 and take a series win versus the Orioles. Tobi Altizer & Grant Paulsen breakdown how the Nats got back right despite some of the continued struggles in the lineup and the bullpen, and how Foster Griffin continues to establish himself as the teams top starter. Plus, Luis García Jr. is having the best stretch of his career, adding an NL Player of the Week award to his mantle. What are the plans going forward for the Nats 1st Baseman?

Three Nights of Heartbreak; Can the Bullpen Be Fixed? Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Episode 251, FULL SHOW -- After starting the series with a win on Monday Night, the Philadelphia Phillies would go on to haunt the Washington Nationals through the remainder of the series with comeback victories that broke the hearts of Nats fans everywhere night after night. Tobi Altizer & Grant Paulsen look back at how the biggest series of the year so far turned into a nightmare as the Nats couldn't hold leads in the final three games of the series. Then, we try to figure out what is the best course of action to fix a bullpen that ultimately hasn't been reliable in recent weeks.

Series Win Streak Comes to an End in Tampa; Trip to Fredericksburg; Big Series vs Philly Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Episode 250, FULL SHOW -- The Nationals history versus the Tampa Bay Rays hasn't been favorable, and despite three competitive games, that would continue as the Nats lost 2 of 3 at Tropicana Field over the weekend. Tobi Altizer & Grant Paulsen breakdown how bullpen struggles held the Nats back from continuing their series win streak. Plus, how valuable has Brad Lord been to the Nationals pitching staff? And has CJ Abrams officially showed us he can avoid his cold streaks of the past? Then, Grant details his impressions of top prospect Gavin Fein as he visited the Fredericksburg Nationals over the weekend. And we preview a huge division series as the Phillies are in town this week.

Being Smart Buyers; Get James Wood to the All-Star Game; Minor League Check-In Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Episode 249, FULL SHOW -- The Nationals continue to secure series wins, earning their 4th in a row despite not being able to complete the sweep this week versus the Kansas City Royals. Tobi Altizer & Grant Paulsen discuss how the Nationals can position themselves to be buyers at the trade deadline without completely putting the future of the organization at a disadvantage. Plus, Nasim Nuñez enjoyed a breakout series versus the Royals, and James Wood needs help to climb the ranks amongst Outfielders for the NL All-Star Team. Finally, we check-in on a couple of the rising names in the Minor League system this week and look ahead to a weekend series versus one of the AL's best teams in Tampa Bay.

There's an MVP Amongst Us; Willits, Sime Jr Impressing at the Next Level; Series Preview vs Kansas City Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Episode 248, FULL SHOW -- If you were concerned with how the Nationals would recover from their devastating loss in the series finale versus San Francisco last week, this weekend series with the Mariners should help calm your nerves. Tobi Altizer & Darris Dameron breakdown how the Nationals offense and pitching staff were able to bounce back against the Mariners and go on to win their 3rd straight series. The BLB crew gets into why Dylan Crews' offensive numbers don't tell the whole story of how he impacts the game, and why James Wood should be in consideration for MVP honors. Then, we check-in on how some of the top prospects in the Nats organization have been performing over the last week. And we look ahead to a three game home series versus a struggling Kansas City Royals squad.

It Was Fun Until It Wasn't; Eli Willits Flourishing After Promotion; Looking Ahead to the Mariners Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Episode 247, FULL SHOW -- Despite the successful 4-2 road trip out west for the Washington Nationals, Wednesday saw the ball club face one of their most devastating losses in franchise history as they would go on to lose a 9 run lead and surrender a walk-off Grand Slam to a former Nats Fan turned member of the San Francisco Giants. Tobi Altizer recaps what went wrong in that devastating loss, how the team has proved it can overcome turmoil so far and why we need to remember what expectations were ahead of the season. Plus, the recently promoted Top Prospect of the Nats is off to a hot start in High-A Wilmington, while a recently acquired Top Prospect won player of the week in Low-A Fredericksburg.

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