Nats Chat

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Game 19: Gray Fans 10 in Losing Effort Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

The Nats skid extended to six games as they lost 5-2 to visiting Miami. Mark & Al have plenty to talk about though, and begin with what exactly happened in the bottom of the 4th as the Nationals had a runner thrown out at home on back to back plays. Did Yadiel Hernandez purposely run through the stop sign?

(12:05) Luis Garcia went 4 for 4 with 2 HRs for AAA Rochester on a night that Alcides Escobar's struggles continued. The hosts wonder if/when the Garcia move will be made given the difficulties Escobar is having both with the bat and the glove.

(20:05) Josiah Gray matched a career high with 10 strikeouts and has pitched well in three of his four starts this year. He has 28 Ks in 20 IP this season, and there are a lot of encouraging signs to be excited about.

(32:02) Patrick Corbin is not yet officially listed for Thursday vs. the Marlins. Will he make his next scheduled start?

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Game 18: Nats Hurl 8 Pitchers & Get Swept Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

Things went south for the Nats right from the start on Sunday as they lost 12-3, sealing a sweep at the hands of San Francisco. Lucius Fox vomited next to the pitchers mound after the second pitch of the game, just before Joc Pederson hit a lead-off HR off of Joan Adon. This entire paragraph actually happened.

(08:36) Mark tells Al the latest on Josh Bell who did not play Sunday, but Davey Martinez says the MRI on his hamstring "came back pretty clean". Bell not playing mixed with Fox's quick exit led to Riley Adams getting time at first base.

(15:05) Alcides Escobar's struggles continued and it feels like it might be time to call Luis Garcia back up. Is it time to remove Escobar from the lineup and make room for younger players?

(23:13) It was another day that the starting pitcher struggled for Washington. Josh Rogers appeared out of the bullpen and the hosts set the table for where the rotation currently stands. Will Patrick Corbin make his next start? What's up with Anibal Sanchez's neck?

(31:04) A listener email critical of Mike Rizzo and his recent track record. What say you?

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Game 17: Bell Exits Early in Loss to the Giants Apr 24, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 5-2 to the Giants on Saturday afternoon. Al is solo hosting for the first time this season and opens with the news that Josh Bell exited the game early due to right hamstring tightness. This leads to a conversation about the scuffling offense, including the numbers for Alcides Escobar.

(06:40) Cesar Hernandez was dropped from the lead-off spot down to the sixth in the order as Lane Thomas took over the top spot. Riley Adams got the start and homered in the afternoon and is surprisingly only the 5th National to homer so far this season.

(12:55) Al discusses what he saw from Aaron Sanchez in his first Major League start of the season as he came short of tossing five innings. Will we see him make another start?

(19:32) It was another impressive day for the bullpen as five relievers combined for only one run allowed in almost five frames. How confident can we be this continue?

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Game 16: Corbin's Latest Flop + AAA Update Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

The Nats lost 7-1 to the visiting Giants as Patrick Corbin couldn't even made it through two innings. Mark & Al discuss another bad start by the lefty, this time marked by the home crowd booing him. Will he remain in the rotation? His ERA after four starts is at a shocking 11.20.

(16:16) The top of the 9th had unexpected fireworks as Alcides Escobar voiced his displeasure with how the Giants were running the bases despite leading by six runs. Where do you stand on this particular unwritten rule?

(25:33) The Nationals bullpen threw over 7 scoreless frames, including Erasmo Ramirez tossing 3.1 IP. This is the second straight day that the non "A" 'pen did a flawless job relieving a struggling starter. However, why the curious handling of Paolo Espino?

(31:05) Quick update on the status of both Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross.

(36:22) Josh Whetzel, the Voice of the Rochester Red Wings, gives the latest on the Nationals AAA Affiliate. Hear about Luis Garcia, Cade Cavalli, and Aaron Sanchez (who is starting Saturday for Washington on the mound).

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Game 15: Rogers Allows 3 Homers in Narrow Loss Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

The Nats came up just short against visiting Arizona 4-3 to split the series. Mark & Al react to an afternoon game which saw Juan Soto up in the bottom with the bases loaded. However.... an infield pop-up sealed Washington's fate.
(05:42) The bullpen threw nearly five scoreless innings and the top guys weren't even used. Hunter Harvey though was the latest reliever to be placed on the IL, adding to a growing number of injured Nationals. Are these injuries related to how often the 'pen is needed?
(18:40) Josh Rogers struggled for a second straight start as he gave up three homers in just over four frames. What is Rogers' status in the rotation moving forward? They then discuss Nelson Cruz homering, which was believe it or not the first Nats homer since Saturday in Pittsburgh (Soto into the river).
(29:09) A listener submitted email leads to the latest we know about Stephen Strasburg.

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Game 14: An Odd Day & Bad Day at Nationals Park Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

The Nats were routed 11-2 by Arizona on a very unusual day in D.C. The U.S. Capitol was briefly evacuated as there was a miscommunication related to the pregame festivities at

Nationals Park. Mark tells Al what he experienced first-hand.

****Audio courtesy of CBS 2 in NY***

(04:39) As for the game, Erick Fedde was rocked by the Diamondbacks and couldn't make it out of the 4th inning. He allowed seven runs, six of which were earned, on over 80 pitches. The infield defense behind him was lackluster and it begs the questions, when to call up Luis Garcia?

(13:00) The tone for the day began with negative vibes as Sean Doolittle was placed on the IL due to an elbow sprain. How serious is this ailment? The "B" bullpen got the nod on Wednesday, including Sam Clay who was called up to replace Doolittle.

(20:30) Adding to Wednesday's woes was Josh Bell exiting the game early due to left knee tightness. Could we see Riley Adams get more use at 1B if Bell ends up going to the IL?

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Games 12 & 13: Young Arms Lead the Way to a Doubleheader Sweep Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

The Nats took both games of the twin-bill (6-1, 1-0) in D.C. against Arizona to move to just one game below .500. Game 1 victory went to Josiah Gray and Game 2 honors were taken by Joan Adon. Al & Mark wrap-up both of their performances as they combined to only allow one run on Tuesday.

(14:11) The bullpen was flawless in both games, including Kyle Finnegan pitching twice. Tanner Rainey made it quite interesting in Game 2 by loading the bases with no outs in the 9th, but was able to escape the jam and preserve the win. Plus, are Hunter Harvey and Victor Arano moving up the unofficial relief pitching depth chart?

(22:31) Victor Robles had a big day as he got hits in both games and also flashed some serious leather. The hosts discuss what this might mean for the young CFer.

(29:40) Game 1 saw a record low attendance in franchise history. What to make of it?

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Game 11: Nats Blow A 3 Run Lead & Franco Commits 3 Errors Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

The Nats had their most frustrating loss of the season as they coughed up a 3-0 lead and lost 5-3 in the series finale in Pittsburgh. Al & Mark (Live from PNC Park) recap Sunday afternoon's game as Patrick Corbin made it through 5 innings, but the Pirates rallied against him and the bullpen in the 6th & 7th. Steve Cishek was tagged with the loss by allowing 3 runs, and it calls into question whether or not Sean Doolittle should have entered the game before the right hander did.

(13:07) Maikel Franco committed three errors and came very close to having a fourth. However, he also had a web-gem on the afternoon. The hosts discuss the veteran infield that has shown many defensive flaws so far this April.

(25:01) The Nats return home this week, but the weather forecast is not looking promising. Might the team get a much needed day off?

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Game 10: Soto HRs into the River in Defeat Apr 17, 2022

Show notes

The Nationals lost 6-4 in Pittsburgh on a cold Mid April night. Al & Mark (Live from Pittsburgh) recap an evening where the Nats left 11 runners on base.

(05:08) Juan Soto himself didn't strand any runners, and he also reached base four times for a 2nd straight game. He smashed his 3rd HR of the season, that somehow found its way into the Allegheny River.

(11:01) Josh Rogers did not last five innings and following this season's formula, it resulted in a Washington loss. The hosts also touch upon a few moments of questionable defense by the team.

(18:51) Davey Martinez said postgame that he addressed his frustration with an 8th inning defensive effort by Yadiel Hernandez. Martinez this past week seems to have been very open with the media about his disappointments from the club.

(24:08) Al & Mark each share their memories of the first ever MLB game they attended. Please email us a voice memo of your memories to natschatpodcast@gmail.com

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Game 9: A Good Friday for Fedde & Crew Apr 16, 2022

Show notes

The Nats won 7-2 in Pittsburgh on Jackie Robinson Day to further a clear trend so far to the young season. They are 4-0 when their starting pitcher lasts five frames, and win-less when that doesn't occur. Al and Mark (Live from Pittsburgh) critically examine Erick Fedde's outing as he was able to protect the early three run lead he has been staked. When will a Washington starter make it though six innings?

(10:16) The bullpen threw four scoreless innings as Sean Doolittle continued the perfect start thus far to his season. Was it Doo's appearance on this podcast that turned his career back around?

(23:58) Victor Robles was once again odd man out in the lineup on Friday. According to Davey Martinez, he is expected to be in the lineup this weekend. Robles is hit-less so far as Yadiel Hernandez & Lane Thomas continues to contribute offensively.

(26:14) Dee Strange-Gordon has been placed on the IL and is being replaced on the roster by Donovan Casey, who was one of the prospects acquired in last summer's Max Scherzer & Trea Turner trade.

(31:48) A creative email submitted by a listener regarding operational changes now that the universal DH is in place.

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