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Game 50: Fedde Takes an Early Shower as 19-31 Doesn't Come to Be May 31, 2022

Show notes

The Nats were pounded 13-5 at the Mets as Erick Fedde was lifted in the 2nd inning. Mark & Al point out just how much Fedde's ERA was affected by the poor outing. Those All Star whispers we mentioned five days ago certainly have been pushed to the background.

(08:09) The Nationals starting rotation is in flux as the best options to pitch on Wednesday, Paolo Espino and Josh Rogers, both were used to fill Monday's innings. Mark gives his best guess as to who will take the mound in the series finale. Why is Paolo not given more high leverage situations?

(17:05) Washington led 3-0 right away as they surprisingly lead the sport in 1st inning runs scored. Cesar Hernandez collected three hits as his average is just a shade under .300. Has he emerged as a legit trade chip?

(25:01) An update on Stephen Strasburg one day after his successful rehab stint for Fredericksburg. When might he return to the Bigs?

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Game 49: Soto HRs and Rainey Gets the 5 Out Save May 30, 2022

Show notes

The Nats won a home series for the first time this season as they hung on 6-5 over Colorado to improve their record to 18-31. Mark & Al begin with how the game ended, Tanner Rainey retiring all five batters faced to close out the victory. It was Rainey's first multi inning appearance since 2020.

(10:53) Josiah Gray gave up another homer on Sunday in the 1st inning, but that would be the only run he allowed in his outing. Was this latest start a step in the right direction?

(17:02) The offense had plenty of extra base hits, including a pair of home runs from Juan Soto and Lane Thomas. Soto collected two hits and had a nice bounce back after a disappointing doubleheader on Saturday.

(29:10) Stephen Strasburg was dominant in his 2nd rehab minor league start as he threw five shutout frames and struck out six in the process for Fredericksburg. Mark explains what his path is to returning to the Nationals mound at some point in June. Strasburg's next scheduled start is over the weekend with Rochester.

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Games 47 & 48: Win Streak Reaches 3 Before it Snaps at Night May 29, 2022

Show notes

The Nats split a doubleheader at home on Saturday against Colorado over the Holiday weekend. Game 1 went the Nationals way as they won 13-7 to achieve their first three game win streak of the season. That would end a few hours later as they dropped Game 2 by a score of 3-2 to the Rockies. Mark & Al go over the long day which included a huge afternoon for Victor Robles. He knocked in six runs in Game 1, but made a questionable decision at the plate in Game 2.

(13:02) Juan Soto's struggles at the plate are continuing and his frustration is quite evident as his average sits at .228. On Saturday he went 1 for 7 between the two games.

(20:05) Aaron Sanchez was DFA'd at the conclusion of Saturday as he did not pitch well despite Washington winning his outing. This raises the question of who will be the new 5th starter? The options include Cade Cavalli (who dominated Saturday), Josh Rogers, Paolo Espino, and.... Stephen Strasburg?!?

(30:10) Cole Henry threw well for AA Harrisburg and has eye popping stats so far this season. Mark handicaps his chances of pitching in the Big Leagues in 2022 as his ERA and WHIP are each below 1.00.

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Game 46: Corbin Earns His 1st Victory of the Season May 27, 2022

Show notes

The Nats beat the visiting Rockies 7-3 for a rare 2nd straight victory. Mark & Al start the discussion with the offense as they put up four runs right away off of German Marquez, including a long awaited extra base hit for Josh Bell. However, another evening filled with struggles for Juan Soto. Does he need a day off?

(20:06) Patrick Corbin pitched into the 7th on his way to the "Curly W". Mark explains what he noticed on the mound from the southpaw. Could he have lasted longer given his low pitch count? Tanner Rainey made an appearance, but this time he pitched in the 8th inning against Colorado's heart of the order.

(31:04) It looks like Joe Ross is headed towards another "Tommy John" surgery on his elbow. The hosts run through how this is the worst case scenario for Ross as he is due to be a Free Agent after this season, especially since he could have had this surgery last summer.

(42:06) Jim Callis, Senior Writer for MLB Pipeline, gives his updated take on the the top Nationals pitching prospects Cade Cavalli and Cole Henry.

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Game 45: Fedde & 'Pen Shutout NL Leading L.A. May 26, 2022

Show notes

The Nats blanked the Dodgers 1-0 on Wednesday to avoid the sweep. Mark & Al have a low scoring victory to discuss as Erick Fedde's is starting to turn a few heads with his 3.55 ERA. We are ver a month away, but are those All Star whispers you hear? Tanner Rainey hung on in the 9th for only his 2nd Save of the year. Could Rainey be traded this July?

(17:42) The Nationals had more instances of poor base running despite the win. Juan Soto himself was tagged out trying to steal, but more importantly his average his shockingly down to .236. What's up with Soto?

(30:02) Joe Ross will have a MRI exam one day after making his first minor league rehab start in Harrisburg. Is this news as bad as it initially reads? The hosts also discuss how Stephen Strasburg felt the day after he took the mound too.

(38:04) Eric Bach from the Fred Nats gives an update on the latest with the low-A team as Strasburg rehabbed there this week.

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Game 44: Gray Gives up 3 HRs to his Old Squad May 25, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 9-4 to the Dodgers despite out-hitting their opponents. Al recaps the sixth consecutive LA victory in Navy Yard as Josiah Gray only lasted three innings and his ERA has ballooned to 5.34. What's up with the continued trend of him giving up so many homers?

(10:41) The Nationals only scored four runs off of ten hits and Al puts into perspective the state of the offense compared to this visiting team. Nelson Cruz had his first three hit game since coming to Washington as his average is now to .219, much higher than his .155 when April concluded.

(20:04) It was a busy Tuesday night for the organization as both Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross made minor league rehab starts. Al runs through Strasburg's night in Fredericksburg and Ross' appearance with AA Harrisburg. The concluding segment is an update on the latest report regarding the contractual futures of Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez.

(31:01) Matt Noble from the Maryland Baseball Network gives us an update on the Big The Champion Maryland Terrapins as the Conference Tournament is this week.

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Game 43: Trea Turner & the Dodgers Dominate in D.C. May 24, 2022

Show notes

The Nats opened the home-stand with a 10-1 loss at the hands of the Dodgers. Mark & Al discuss how Washington was drubbed top to bottom by LA as the offense couldn't do much of anything against Tyler Anderson, who had a Perfect Game bid game going into the 6th inning.

(08:33) A lot of negatives in this section. Juan Soto had misadventures in the outfield, Joan Adon didn't last five frames, and Austin Voth's ERA is sitting above 9.00. Is it time to DFA Voth?

(26:07) Trea Turner spoke to reporters prior to his first game back in Navy Yard since last summer's trade. This leads to a conversation about hindsight on the decision to trade him away and put the rebuild in full effect. Turner went 1 for 4 with 3 RBIs on Monday night. What will Free Agency look like for the All Star Shortstop?

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Game 42: Shuffled Lineup Leads to Easy Win May 23, 2022

Show notes

The Nats took care of the Brewers 8-2 as Davey Martinez featured a new look lineup card. Al & Mark (Live from Milwaukee) recap Sunday's victory that saw Juan Soto moved down to 3rd in the order and with Keibert Ruiz now occupying the 2nd spot. The result..... eight consecutive hits in a six run 4th inning.

(18:04) Nelson Cruz exited early after suffering a sprained ankle while sliding into 2nd base and was replaced by Riley Adams as DH. What will the roster move be to replace him? Josh Bell's average has fallen below .300 (.291) as he is 0 for his last 19. Is that why Bell dropped to fifth in the order instead of clean-up?

(25:55) Mark handicaps the situation at SS as Dee Strange-Gordon has seen elevated playing time at the expense of Alcides Escobar. Finally, yet another update on Stephen Strasburg & Joe Ross as they will make minor league rehab starts on Tuesday.

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Game 41: Soto Struggles Continue in Defeat May 22, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 5-1 in Milwaukee as Juan Soto's hit-less evening dropped his average to .245 on the season. Mark (Live from American Family Field) and Al dive into the curious postgame comments from Juan Soto on his struggles so far this season.

(11:14) Lane Thomas has had a good weekend as he homered, one day after almost hitting an Inside the Park HR. The hosts take a chance to evaluate his play so far in 2022.

(14:43) Patrick Corbin gave up 5 runs in 5 frames as Washington still has not won any game that he has started this year. This is a few starts after his manager declared him "Back". Keibert Ruiz was the catcher for this game, which is a deviation from Riley Adams catching the left-hander recently.

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Game 40: Nats Turn a Triple Play but Get Shutout May 21, 2022

Show notes

The Nats were blanked 7-0 in the series opener in Milwaukee. Mark (Live from Wisconsin) & Al recap the very unusual 7th inning as the top of the frame saw an almost Inside the Park HR, and the bottom featured a Triple Play. Should Lane Thomas have been rewarded home plate or did the umps get it right?

(13:13) The game unraveled in the 8th as the Brewers scored five runs off of Austin Voth. Why not use Tanner Rainey in that spot when it's a close game?

(22:07) The offense had another bad game as they were shutout by Milwaukee. The 5th inning was a real head scratcher as all three Nationals hitters laid down bunts. How did that occur?

(33:48) Carter Kieboom's season is over as he will have "Tommy John" Surgery on his throwing elbow and is expected to be back by Spring Training 2023. This leads to a discussion about the recent Washington 1st Round picks that have not met expectations.

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