Nats Chat

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Game 142: Harvey Takes the Loss Against His Former Team Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 4-3 to the Orioles despite their early lead. Al & Mark recap Hunter Harvey's pivotal relief outing against his ex-teammates; as he allowed two runs in defeat. It was a busy night for the bullpen due to starter Cory Abbott only lasting three frames.

(18:45) CJ Abrams made a crucial base running mistake in the 6th inning that caused an unnecessary out at 3B. Has poor base running been the biggest problem the team has had this year (not counting starting pitching)? While we are in the infield; will Joey Meneses take over at 1B for the struggling Luke Voit?

(30:05) Jackson Rutledge dominated for the FredNats (High-A) in their playoff game as he threw 8 shutout innings. Rutledge was the Nationals 1st Round pick in 2019, but has battled injuries the past few seasons.

(33:10) MacKenzie Gore will throw a bullpen session this week and the plan is for him to make another minor rehab start on Friday for Rochester. Will we see him pitching for Washington this season?

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Game 141: Swept After Long Rain Delay Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

After a rain delay that last over three hours, the Nats lost 7-5 in Philadelphia, completing a sweep. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al begin with the decision by MLB to make sure the game ended on Sunday, despite the long wait. This was a tough way to end a three city/ ten game road trip with no days off in between.

(04:48) Anibal Sanchez only lasted two innings before the rain arrived, but issued three walks in that brief time. The bullpen was pressed into extra duty after the delay ended; low lighted by Kyle Finnegan's 7th inning outing.

(11:51) CJ Abrams yet again made a spectacular play in the field as he had a highlight in all three games this week. Adding to his strong September, he collected two hits as well.

(19:05) Luis Garcia missed a 2nd straight day as Ildemaro Vargas took over for him at 2B. As for behind the plate, Israel Pineda made his Big League debut. Pineda climbed through the organizational ranks this season after beginning the year in High-A Wilmington. Why isn't Tres Barrera playing since being called up?

(23:15) MacKenzie Gore made his first rehab start with Rochester and only lasted 1.2 IP. Should we be concerned that he didn't pitch the original goal of three innings?

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Game 140: Harper Continues to Torment Fedde Sep 11, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 8-5 and are 1-7 this season in Philadelphia. Al & Mark (Live from Citizens Bank Park) evaluate Erick Fedde's rough outing where his former high school teammate Bryce Harper homered off of him the 6th time in the past four years. The hosts hold a lengthy discussion about what went into the decision to pitch to Harper as opposed to walking him. Is something fundamentally wrong with developing pitching in the organization?

(15:50) Cesar Hernandez played 2B on Saturday night had an nightmare stretch in the field in the 3rd and 4th innings. He had four instances of questionable defense, but was only charged one throwing verror.

(22:20) CJ Abrams made a spectacular play to pull off a double play in the 1st inning. Nats Chat is quite in awe of the amount of athleticism displayed by Abrams on the play. Could he be the best defensive short stop in franchise history?

(27:01) "Joey Four Bags" touched' em all again early in the game. Mark then points the absurd home run disparity between the Nationals and Phillies when facing each other this season (32-9).

(36:30) MacKenzie Gore will make a rehab start on Sunday in Syracuse for AAA Rochester. Will he pitch for Washington this season?

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Game 139: Corbin Dealt His 18th Loss + New Rule Changes Sep 10, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 5-3 in Philadelphia for their 90th loss overall and the 18th suffered loss by Patrick Corbin this season. Mark (Live from Philly) & Al recap a bizarre game where zero walks were issued by either pitching staff. Corbin gave up all five runs in just under seven frames, and did so in under 70 pitches.

(05:41) CJ Abrams had his best game as he made two web-gems, had a hit, and stole a base. The play he made in the bottom of the 6th might be the infield highlight of the year for the Nationals.

(12:10) Alex Call homered again and had three hits, right on the heels of his four hit afternoon in St. Louis. Meanwhile at 2B, Luis Garcia turned an interesting double play in the bottom of the 2nd. Did he handle the play appropriately?

(22:05) Israel Pineda was called up from Rochester as Keibert Ruiz's season might be over due to a testicular contusion. Pineda moved his way up the minor league ranks this season and will have a chance to prove that he should become the new back-up catcher. Pineda spent the majority of the year in High-A Wilmington, with a stop in Harrisburg as well.

(31:15) Friday marked major rule changes coming to the sport next season, including a pitch clock, shift ban, and larger bases. Al & Mark give full reaction to the monumental announcement.

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Game 138: Call's 4 Hit Day Leads the Way Sep 09, 2022

Show notes

The Nats bounced back to beat the Cardinals 11-6, giving them a series split. Mark (Live from St. Louis) and Al praise Alex Call who exploded with four hits while hitting ninth, one night after not being make to make a leaping grab to seal the victory. Call originally was not in the lineup, but Victor Robles was a late scratch due to a stiff neck. The offense totaled 18 hits overall on Thursday.

(07:17) CJ Abrams had two hits and is hitting .360 so far in September. Nelson Cruz was moved down in the order to the sixth spot and responded with three hits of his own. Keibert Ruiz's day was not as fun as he had to head to the hospital due to swollen testicles. Feel better Keibert!

(15:35) Josiah Gray did not have a good outing as he gave up two HRs to Yadier Molina. Gray has allowed a homer in 12 consecutive starts and is now leading the NL in walks issued too. Should they consider shutting him down for the season?

(26:01) The bullpen had extended duty and mostly came through. Mason Thompson escaped a jam he inherited from Gray, Andres Machado threw two scoreless frames, and Kyle Finnegan shook of Wednesday's loss by throwing a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the 8th. What went into the decision to bring him back after throwing 30+ pitches the night before?

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Game 137: Finnegan Blows a 4 Run Lead in the 9th Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

The Nats suffered gut punch 6-5 loss in St. Louis as Kyle Finnegan could not hold onto a four run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Mark (Live from Bush Stadium) & Al though begin with the announcement of our 1st ever Podcast Party, Friday evening October 14th at Walter's Bar in Navy Yard. COME JOIN US!

(6:18) The bullpen did its job prior to Finnegan entering the game as Erasmo Ramirez did a good job of bridging the gap in the middle innings. Should Davey have pulled Finnegan when trouble began or was it the right move to see if he could wiggle out of it?

(15:10) Cory Abbott threw a good outing despite getting pulled in the 5th inning. He has a string of decent starts in the past few months and putting himself in position for a 2023 roster spot.

(18:05) The offense had an impressive late game effort, including a four run 8th inning. Luke Voit homered in his hometown and Joey Meneses (duh) came through with a RBI single. A discussion on the lineup leads to wondering why CJ Abrams was given another day off.

(26:45) Jarlin Susana, 18 year old pitcher that was part of the trade with San Diego, struck out six on Wednesday night for Fredericksburg. Get to know the right hander who is hitting 103 MPH on the radar gun.

(32:30) Juan Soto made some eyebrow raising comments to the San Diego Union Tribune and our hosts give a pragmatic analysis of what they believe he meant.

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Game 136: Win Streak Ends in St. Louis Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 4-1 in St. Louis ending their bid for a 4th straight win. Mark (Live from Bush Stadium) & Al discuss the return of Nelson Cruz and the chain effect that it has on the lineup. Cruz being placed at DH means Luke Voit has to play the field and Joey Meneses has to move to the outfield. How should Cruz be handled the rest of the way?

(16:10) Meneses knocked a pair of doubles on Tuesday night and joined a short list of MLB players in the process. He has 42 hits in 30 career games, and only twelve other hitters in history have as many hits in their first month.

(23:05) MacKenzie Gore threw a simulated game with next up on the agenda being a bullpen session on Friday. The plan after that is for him to make a minor league rehab assignment. Could he take Paolo Espino's spot in the rotation?

(28:30) Davey Martinez mentioned pregame that Mason Thompson could be used as an "Opener". The organization has barely utilized this method, but could this be changing?

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Game 135: Anibal & 'Pen Blank the Cardinals Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

The Nats won their 3rd straight on the road trip, a 6-0 shutout of the NL Central leading Cardinals. Mark (Live from St. Louis) & Al have a lot of positive stats to sort through as Washington has won six of their past eight games.

(04:39) CJ Abrams had a four hit afternoon, which included a triple. He seemingly has looked more comfortable at the plate in this recent stretch and he clearly has the ""wheels" when he runs the bases. Keibert Ruiz also had a big game as he slugged his 7th homer of the season.

(15:48) The surging Lane Thomas enjoyed visiting his old team as he reached base four times in the lead-off spot. He is hitting .350 through five September games, with seven hits.

(28:05) Anibal Sanchez pitched his fourth consecutive solid outing as he threw five scoreless frames in the win. His decent performance as of late begins the question, "Will he return in 2023"? Mason Thompson recorded his first save in unorthodox fashion as he pitched the final three innings.

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Game 134: Nats Take the Series in New York Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

The Nats beat the Mets again 7-1 in the series rubber match. Al & Mark (Live from Citi Field) marvel at how the team has won five of their past seven games and were able to take a series against a 1st place club in a tight divisional race. The offense had a lot of key contributors, including Keibert Ruiz who came up with three hits in a game that he specifically requested to play.

(15:10) Ildemaro Vargas had a RBI and also played a pivotal role in a bizarre double play that benefited Washington in the bottom of the 7th. This odd moment came on the heels of Saturday night's controversial infield fly rule. Cesar Hernandez finally hit his 1st HR of the season and was given the silent treatment from his teammates in celebration.

(25:01) Erick Fedde bounced back from his poor outing vs. Oakland to earn the win. He only gave up one run in six frames against a high powered offense. It's his first victory against the Mets in eleven career starts.

(28:15) An update on the new six man rotation, that could lead to an eventual MacKenzie Gore start. Anibal Sanchez will return to the mound in St. Louis and Albert Pujols' quest for 700 HRs will be awaiting (current at 695).

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Game 133: Offense Capitalizes on Corbin's Gem Sep 04, 2022

Show notes

The Nats poured it on in the 9th inning for a 7-1 victory at the Mets; their fourth win in the past six games. (Mark (Live from NY) and Al recap Patrick Corbin's excellent outing where he only allowed one run in seven frames; out-dueling Max Scherzer in the process. Corbin has won his past two starts in the span of a week and has three consecutive solid outings.

(12:30) The offense had a very good night and they were paced by the tandem of Luis Garcia and Lane Thomas. They combined for seven hits, two homers, and 3 RBIs. Thomas quietly has hit fifteen homers this season. We also tackle what exactly happened with the controversial infield fly call in the 3rd inning.

(26:05) CJ Abrams came through as well with two hits, including a two run single in the top of the ninth. This leads though to another conversation about head scratching base running by Washington.

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