Nats Chat

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Game 64: Losing Streak Takes the Afternoon Train Out of Georgia Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

The Nats snapped their six game skid with a 6-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta to avoid the sweep. Al & Tim start with the five run top of the 6th; which included a rare home run from 1B Dom Smith. It was his first HR since late April; this coming after he was given the bulk of Saturday off.

(12:00) The "A" bullpen was well rested and came through with four scoreless frames. Hunter Harvey notched the save and it was his oddly first appearance in over a week.

(19:20) Trevor Williams bounced back from a rough 1st inning and did not allow a run in his final four innings on the mound. The hosts look at Williams' body of work so far this season. Williams is likely to pitch next weekend against Miami, but Jake Irvin is being skipped in the rotation during the off-day.

(26:50) UVA is headed to the College World Series for the 2nd time in three years. Paul Skenes, potential Nationals draft pick next month, earned a victory on Friday evening for LSU in the Super Regionals.

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Game 63: Gore Struggles in Atlanta Jun 11, 2023

Show notes

The Nats losing streak is up to six games after falling 6-4 in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. Al summarizes MacKenzie Gore's start where the lefty gave up five runs in as many innings. Gore's ERA is now above 4.00 (4.04) and he has not earned a victory since April.

(08:20) Lane Thomas doubled and tripled on Saturday in Georgia. Hear Al point out a staggering 1st inning Lane Thomas statistic.

(14:30) Michael Chavis started at 1B as Dom Smith was given a rare day off. Smith has been at 1B for the Nationals for every game since late April, but he made a poor defensive play in the pivotal 8th inning of Friday's loss.

(16:15) Al reads an email about the Washington coaching staff. Send in your questions to natschatpodcast@gmail.com

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Game 62: Doomed by Poor Defense in the 8th Jun 10, 2023

Show notes

The Nats lost their 5th straight as they allowed Atlanta to rally for a 3-2 final. Mark & Al recap the fateful bottom of the 8th where Washington had terrible defense on three different occasions in the frame. Dom Smith, who is in the lineup mainky due to his glove, made a crucial bobble on a routine grounder, which immediately led to the Braves tying run. Should he remain the everyday 1B?

(13:05) CJ Abrams made an excellent defensive play in the 7th, but did not come up with the play when Atlanta scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the 8th.

(19:35) Josiah Gray only lasted five innings and threw four wild pitches, however he only ceded one run. Al wonders how to evaluate Gray because as of lately his numbers have been better than his actual performances.

(27:50) Brady House has been promoted the High-A Wilmington as he had an OPS of .869 with the Fred Nats. House is playing 3B and Mark handicaps where the former 1st Round pick currently fits into the organization.

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Game 61: Arizona Hands D.C. Their 4th Straight Loss Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals skid hit four games after 6-2 loss to Arizona on Wednesday evening. Al & Mark have no choice but to update the latest on the sorry state of affairs with the pitching staff. The day began with Erasmo Ramirez getting DFA'd and ended with Jordan Weems allowing a pair of runs in the 9th inning.

(10:10) Patrick Corbin technically tossed a quality start despite allowing 3 runs right off the bat and 11 hits in total. Through an odd quirk in the schedule, it was his first outing at night in almost two months.

(19:10) The offense only mustered one extra base hit and it came from Lane Thomas; who also recorded another outfield assist. Make sure you listen to this segment for a very unexpected Alfonso Soriano stat. Joey Meneses had a pair of singles; which elevated his average to .305.

(29:15) June 8th is an important day in Nationals history. Hear a collection of audio from that unforgettable evening in 2010.

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Game 60: Another Bad Day for the 'Pen Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals held an early lead but behind poor pitching they ended up losing 10-5 to visiting Arizona. Mark & Al start with a familiar refrain the struggling bullpen. Erasmo Ramirez inherited a 4-3 lead when he took the mound in the 5th inning, but it quickly became a 6-4 Diamondbacks edge. Ramirez last year was the Nationals Pitcher of the Year, but so far this season his ERA is at 6.33.

(12:00) It was another Jake Irvin outing that did not inspire confidence and it included him committing an error. Irvin's stellar start in San Francisco is increasingly becoming a distant memory as his WHIP is now at 1.68. Will he keep his rotation spot?

(19:40) The offense scored all five of its runs via home runs as Stone Garrett crushed an early Grand Slam and Lane Thomas slugged his 9th HR of the season. Victor Robles remains on the IL, but how does the game of musical chairs look in the outfield between Garrett, Alex Call, and Corey Dickerson for Robles returns?

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Game 59: Bullpen Turns Close Game Into a Laugher Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

The Nats were routed 11-3 in Sunday's rubber match as the bullpen was unable to keep it close against Philadelphia's powerful lineup. Mark & Al lay out how poorly the 'pen pitched, evidenced by the fact that Philly led 2-1 until Andres Machado allowed a 3 run HR vs. Kyle Schwarber in the top of the 6th. Will there be some roster maneuvering by Tuesday?

(10:20) Trevor Williams' start ended on a sour note as the runners that came across on the "SchwarBomb" were charged to his stat line. Williams' has struggled as of late and his current ERA is at 4.15.

(20:00) The offense had another quiet game and the majority of runs did not come until Ildemaro Vargas' 2 run HR in the 9th. Joey Meneses meanwhile tripled for the first time this year and now has a team high 71 hits on the season (Lane Thomas 2nd place with 63 hits).

(24:35) Mark adds more context to the Stephen Strasburg situation; including details on why there is not disability insurance on the massive contract.

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Game 58: Back to Last Place + Strasburg Report Jun 04, 2023

Show notes

The Nats lost 4-2 on Saturday to Philadelphia to move behind the Phillies by a game in the standings. Al starts with MacKenzie Gore's OK outing where he allowed nine hits in six frames on the mound. Gore lasted 101 pitches in the afternoon and his ERA is currently at 3.66.

(06:15) Only two relievers were used as the "A Bullpen" got the day off following Friday night's workload. Chad Kuhl threw two scoreless frames and his numbers out of the 'pen are far better than as a starter.

(14:10) The Washington Post reported that Stephen Strasburg is dealing with "severe nerve damage". Hear more about the difficult situation for both the pitcher and the franchise.

(23:00) Al reads an email about the Nationals options at the #2 pick in next month's Draft.

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Game 57: Win Over the Phils Ties Them in the Standings Jun 03, 2023

Show notes

The Nats are now tied for 4th place in the NL East with Philadelphia after holding on for dear life in an 8-7 victory over the visiting Phillies. Mark & Al look at how the current formula for Washington victories is not pitching/defense, but instead through offense. The bats jumped all over Zack Wheeler for an early 7-1 lead; including 3 RBIs from Jeimer Candelario. Lane Thomas came through with the game winning single in the bottom of the 8th that scored Alex Call; just after Call had stolen 2nd base.

(16:00) Josiah Gray's outing was off to a good start, but ended poorly as he ultimately allowed four runs in 5.1 IP. Gray's ERA has moved up to 3.09 on the season.

(22:50) The bullpen was not able to protect the Nationals lead as the Phillies clawed back in the top of the 8th. Mason Thompson only lasted three batters and was one of four relievers used. Kyle Finnegan's outing initially was a blown save, but ultimately became a win. The 'pen currently has no lefties... will it be Sean Doolittle later this summer?

(34:20) Paul Skenes, the LSU star pitcher many expect the Nats to draft at #2 overall in next month's MLB draft, threw a complete game top open the NCAA Tournament, but curiously was pushed to 124 pitches in the process. Skenes is the most hyped collegiate pitching prospect since.... San Diego's State's Stephen Strasburg.

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Game 56: Nats Crush 5 HRs in Dodger Stadium Triumph Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

A jam packed edition of Nats Chat after a 10-6 victory over the Dodgers to avoid the sweep. Mark (Live from LA) & Al marvel at the five home runs hit by the Nationals in the victory; two of which came from Keibert Ruiz. He homered three times in less than 24 hours against his old team to already match last season's HR output for the young catcher (7 HRs). Luis Garcia went deep at the perfect time as his 3-run blast broke the 5-5 tie in the top of the 8th.

(15:40) Jeimer Candelario had a go- ahead 2 run HR in the 5th as part of his big day in Los Angeles. Mark takes Al's approach on how to evaluate Candelario's utility to the franchise this season.

(22:05) Patrick Corbin's outing began as a nightmare as he allowed three runs in three batters. Corbin then settled in and was able to make it through five innings despite issuing four walks. He enters June with a 4.92 ERA.

(25:25) The "A" Bullpen was called upon on Wednesday and Hunter Harvey stepped up by nailing down the final six outs. Kyle Finnegan however had a rough afternoon, as he had a pitch clock violation and allowed a HR. Harvey has a long injury history and the hosts put in perspective the amount of work he has had this season and what lies ahead.

(37:15) The Harrisburg Senators (AA Affiliate) are playing in Bowie this week and Tim Shovers caught up with Terry Byrom, the team's long-time voice. Terry gives his career background and also relays his first hand account of James Wood, Robert Hassell III, and Jackson Rutledge. Wood was promoted on Sunday after beginning the year in Wilmington.

(45:30) The NCAA Baseball Tournament begins on Friday and Maryland will begin regional play in Winston Salem, NC. Matt Noble, the Voice of Terps Baseball, previews what lies ahead for UMD on their road to the College World Series.

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Game 55: Nats Drop Their 3rd in a Row May 31, 2023

Show notes

The Nats made it interesting at the Dodgers until the bullpen couldn't keep it competitive in a 9-3 loss. Mark (Live from Dodger Stadium) & Al evaluate the 'pen that has taken major steps back in the month of May as opposed to how the season began. Should Davey Martinez have used Hunter Harvey when they only trailed by one run?

(13:20) Jake Irvin had a shaky outing as he allowed 8 hits and 4 runs in defeat. Irvin's ERA has ballooned to 5.67 after his recent struggles. Playing behind him in RF was Joey Meneses who was in the field for the first time this season.

(20:45) Lane Thomas continued his stellar play in May as he extended his hitting streak to 15 games and has now reached base in 26 straight games. On Tuesday, Thomas had a pair of hits and also threw out Freddie Freeman trying to extend a hit into a double.

(26:40) Washington looks to avoid being swept in LA and will send Patrick Corbin to the mound. The good news is that the "A" Bullpen is rested as they have not pitched since Saturday.

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