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Game 18: Shuffled Lineup & Ross Bounce Back in Queens Apr 25, 2021

Show notes

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 in the rotation, can he go past six innings?

(26:35) Time for an evaluation of #thelittlethings. Nationals base running, defense, sliding catches, the shift, and other facets get a look underneath the microscope.

(36:04) Finally, Patrick Corbin takes the mound in the series rubber match on Sunday. Which version of the lefty will we see in New York?

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Game 17: deGrom Untouchable in Complete Game Shutout Apr 24, 2021

Show notes

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 outing as he was unscathed through four innings before it fell off the rails in the fifth.

(24:08) They close by looking at the defense from the loss and a look ahead to Joe Ross' Saturday start.

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Game 16: Scherzer & the "A" Bullpen Blank St. Louis Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

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 2nd straight game got the final nine outs in a victory. The guys run through their efforts, especially Rainey's bounce back appearance. Is this the deepest bullpen the Nats have had in awhile?

(18:50) Backup catcher Alex Avila was the offensive star of the day with two doubles and the lone RBI. The hosts look at his play this season with both the bat and his defense behind the plate, as he threw out Justin Williams attempt at stealing second base on Wednesday.

(28:51) After a much needed day off, the Nats Friday night will face Jacob deGrom in New York. A preview of this weekend's series and Mark updates the situations for Jon Lester & Stephen Strasburg.

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Game 15: Soto's Shoulder to the IL Before Nats Rally in the 8th Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

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 the 7th as he was under 80 pitches?

(20:33) Josh Bell hit a solo HR, his first with the franchise. Could this lead to him getting out of his slump? Plus, Mark lays out Cardinals Manager's Mike Shildt's thinking in the bottom of the 8th when he brought in 5 infielders.

(28:36) Finally, a preview of Max Scherzer's start Wednesday afternoon in the series rubber match vs. RHP Carlos Martinez.

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Game 14: Cards Score 10 on Ross in an Ugly Defeat Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

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 below the "Mendoza Line". Will he be moved down in the order or will the team be patient with him since he had a COVID pause?

(16:54) A preview of Patrick Corbin's extremely crucial start Tuesday night against Adam Wainwright. We've declared this game a "Must Quality Start". If he flops again, who do the Nats turn to?

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Game 13: Strasburg Placed on the IL Before a Loss to Arizona Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

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 "Miss Iowa" moment from years back at Nationals Park and explains the reference. The guys then highlight how the bullpen has been taxed this past week, a mixture of no off days and many starters not lasting 6 innings.

(22:03) Juan Soto committed his 2nd TOOTBLAN of the season. Al gives an empassioned plea for Soto to ease up on the bases (After this recording, Ronald Acuna Jr. left Atlanta's game following a head-first slide). Plus, is the experiment of Victor Robles in the lead-off spot already over?

(34:36) A preview of the three game series that begins Monday night in D.C. against St. Louis. All eyes will be on Patrick Corbin on Tuesday.

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Game 12: Fedde Impresses & McGowin Overcomes Shaky Defense Behind Him Apr 18, 2021

Show notes

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. Anything to make of that, or just off for a day game? Plus, has the organization fully moved on from him in the lead-off spot?

(16:25) A discussion on the defense as Washington had 2 errors in the game and another blunder in the 9th that almost was very costly. The bullpen on the other hand, had an active day as Luis Avilan was placed on the IL, Wander Suero left early with an apparent injury, and the two Kyle's came through in the clutch.

(27:09) A preview of Sunday's starting pitching match-up between two World Series MVPs, Stephen Strasburg vs. Madison Bumgarner. How important is this start for Strasburg? Finally, Tim has some Bumgarner inspired trivia for Al, diehard Nats fans please feel free to play along.

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Game 11: Schwarber Blast Ends It After Scherzer Dominates Apr 17, 2021

Show notes

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 crowd all night; especially after Schwarber's HR.

(19:55) Mark updates Jon Lester's status and ties it into Erick Fedde's upcoming start for Saturday afternoon. Plus, the Nats made a roster move within their bullpen.

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Game 10: Corbin Gets Shelled Early & Often Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

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 benching or just an early use of the double switch?

(18:21) The Nats bullpen had a strong evening after only allowing 1 run in 7 frames, including another appearance for Wander Suero. However, the Diamondbacks were HBP 5 times on Thursday, will there be a retaliation this weekend?

(20:51) Finally, a look ahead at Max Scherzer's now crucial start on Friday night against Arizona.

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Game 9: Ross Shines in the Shutout Win Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

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 guys look at how the organization has a crafty knack for finding veterans that have been passed on elsewhere. While on the subject of veterans, Ryan Zimmerman took Adam Wainwright deep for his first homer since the World Series.

(23:18) Juan Soto was thrown out trying to steal 2nd despite him having a great series. Is it worthy of a TOOTBLAN?

(26:52) Al is quite fired up about the decision to hit Joe Ross 8th and Victor Robles 9th. What led to the lineup card decision to have the pitcher hit 8th?

(33:07) We close with an update on Stephen Strasburg and preview the rotation for the 4 game series in D.C. vs. Arizona.

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