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Game 159: Bad Pitching in Bad Weather + Cavalli Clunker in AAA Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 10-5 in Colorado in their final road game of the season. Al & Mark assess where the rotation stands as Paolo Espino's outing was cut short due to the two hour rain delay that began in the top of the 3rd. Will he get the nod for Sunday's finale vs. Boston as Patrick Corbin season is over?

(17:55) Juan banged his knee into the chain link outfield fence while making an excellent catch. He stayed in the game and we have been told he is OK. At the plate, he had a RBI infield single and a walk (1 for 4). If the game had been called during the rain delay, his single would not have counted. Why not sit him after running into the fence?

(25:21) Alcides Escobar made one of the pretties defensive plays of the season just after making a throwing error. Hear what the hosts have to say about his jump throw across the diamond.

(27:57) Listener submitted question about how will the Nationals fix the pitching for next season. Will it all be internal or will they spend money in free agency?

(34:30) Cade Cavalli's final start in Rochester did not even last an inning. His numbers in AAA were not nearly as good as his previous stints. What's a realistic expectation for when he will be promoted to Washington?

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Game 158: Corbin Solid in Low Scoring Coors Field Loss Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 3-1 in Colorado as Patrick Corbin struck out nine in what could be his final start of the season. Mark & Al evaluate Corbin as September has by far been his best month of his terrible season. How important will ending this year on a positive note be for the high priced lefty? What are the chances he pitches Sunday vs. the Red Sox?

(15:27) Juan Soto went 0 for 4 and didn't reach base for the first time in two weeks. He is now hitting .318; which trails Trea Turner (.325). Should he maybe get the day off on Wednesday?

(20:40) Ryan Zimmerman had an excellent game on his 37th birthday. He had a double, an infield single, and made a web gem catch in foul territory. What insights do we have on if this weekend will be his final time at Nationals Park?

(29:44) A listener email asking about the Nationals organization infrastructure regarding player development. Our conversation quickly then moves into the direction of Baseball Analytics.

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Game 157: Gray Earns His 2nd Straight Win Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

The Nats beat Colorado 5-4 as Josiah Gray has been victorious in back to back starts. Al & Mark discuss Gray's outing, which was scoreless through the first five innings. What led to him becoming ineffective though in the 6th? Was it hustling down the line on a bunt or was it facing the Rockies lineup for a third time?

(10:08) The Nationals bullpen had a good night as they only allowed one run. Davey Martinez changed it up a bit as Kyle Finnegan pitched the 8th and Tanner Rainey took over for the save. What should we read into this move?

(16:03) Alcides Escobar paced the offense with three hits and a crucial insurance RBI in the 9th. We also give our daily Juan Soto update as he currently trails Trea Turner by one point for the NL Batting Crown.

(24:57) Luis Garcia had a crucial 2 run single, but made a brutal throwing error in the 5th. Was it lack of concentration that affected what should have been a routine throw?

(32:43) Patrick Corbin will make possibly the final start of his turbulent season on Tuesday night in Denver. How different would he have been handled if Washington were in the divisional race?

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Game 156: Record Tying Grand Slam Allowed in Defeat Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 9-2 in Cincinnati as Ryne Harper yielded a MLB record tying fourteenth grand slam on the season by the pitching staff. Before we get into our usual show, Tim does some end of season housekeeping.

(5:38) Mark & Al recap Josh Rogers' outing as he held the Reds scoreless early, but it unraveled for him the third time through the order. What was different for Rogers today as opposed to his previous solid outings?

(11:02) Only two relievers were used on Sunday, but Harper became the twelfth Nationals pitcher this season to allow a grand slam. What has led to this phenomenon this year for the Nationals? Or is it simply bad pitching?

(20:24) The offense had a rare off day as Juan Soto went 0 for 3 with a walk (138). Carter Kieboom returned to the lineup from his forearm issue and had two hits.

(24:38) Riley Adams was back behind the plate and also drew two walks. Al is ecstatic to see Adams back on the field after the young catcher had been on the bench for the past week and a half. Why haven't we seen him play first base at all?

(29:01) Washington is making their only trip of the season to Coors Field this week. Do pitchers have to overcome psychological factors before pitching in that atmosphere? Will this be another bullpen heavy series?

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Game 155: Ruiz Impresses with the Arm & Bat in Losing Effort Sep 26, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 7-6 in Cincinnati as Nick Castellanos hit a walk-off homer against Patrick Murphy. Al & Tim evaluate Keibert Ruiz's evening as he threw out two runners and also homered for the second straight night. Is Ruiz lately starting show the franchise catcher potential we have been told about?

(7:10) Lane Thomas homered again and kept the train rolling. Hear Tim's opinion on where the CF derby stands for Opening Day 2022. Robles or Thomas?

(21:57) Erick Fedde had another subpar start as his ERA is now at 5.26. How sure are we that he will be on the roster next year?

(35:16) Josh Rogers takes the mound Sunday after his excellent performance in Miami. We have some fun wondering if he or Paolo are currently the ace of the pitching staff.

(45:45) We read a listener email recalling his memories of October 2019 while living in Houston during the World Series.

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Game 154: Ruiz Homers but Extra Inning Hex Continues Sep 25, 2021

Show notes

The Nats late rally came up short in Cincinnati as they lost 8-7 in 11 innings. Mark & Al wonder why the Nationals so often can score late in the game, but then can't bring in a run in extras. The 9th inning comeback involved three runs scored; all coming with two outs.

(9:18) Keibert Ruiz hit his first homer with Washington and had three hits overall on the evening. Ruiz is hitting .315 this month.

(11:47) Juan Soto did not get any hits, but was walked four times on Friday. Hear Mark put in perspective at how he is keeping historical company along with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

(17:07) Paolo Espino had a so-so start and only recorded two strikeouts. He needs eight Ks next week in Colorado if he wants to achieve his stated goal of 100 strikeouts this season.

(26:32) Carter Kieboom was not in the lineup and will get a MRI Saturday for a left forearm issue. Jordy Mercer got the start in his place at third base.

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Game 153: Soto Bolsters MVP Case w/ 2 HRs in Win Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

The Nats edged the Reds 3-2 for their 3rd straight victory. Al & Mark search for the proper superlatives for Juan Soto as his torrid stretch continued on Thursday night. He yet again reached base four times, set a franchise record in walks, and has lifted his average to .325. Is it fair to say he is the NL MVP frontrunner with a week to go? How does this recent run affect potential extension talks?

(22:52) Patrick Corbin did not allow a run as he almost lasted seven innings. Can fans be optimistic about the lefty for next season as he has had three good outings this month? Corbin looked like the 2019 version of himself while on the mound in Cincinnnati.

(28:01) Tanner Rainey pitched a scoreless eighth inning while Kyle Finnegan struggled to lock down the save. Will we see Rainey become the closer in the final week?

(34:44) Carter Kieboom went 0 for 4 Thursday night and his September stats are not looking good. Do we have a feel for how 3B is stacking up for Opening Day next season?

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Game 152: Soto Reaches Base 5 Times in Gray's 1st Win Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

The Nats won 7-5 in Miami for a rare series victory. Mark & Al begin with Josiah Gray's much needed solid outing that resulted in his career Major League win. Most encouraging for Gray was that he did not allow any homers and only issued one walk in six innings.

(11:55) Juan Soto was all over the scorecard on Wednesday night as he reached base five times and was a triple shy of the cycle. Soto walked twice; tying Bryce Harper's single season franchise record of 130. Where does Soto's MVP campaign stack up against Harper's case?

(23:53) Luis Garcia went yard for the sixth time this season and had a strong series at the plate. This month he has eight doubles and is hitting above .280.

(31:51) Alex Avila started for the second time recently as Riley Adams has only started one of the past eleven games at catcher. A flabbergasted Al begs Mark for an explanation as to why they are using the retiring veteran as opposed to giving the at bats to Riley.

(36:42) Cade Cavalli only lasted four innings in his latest AAA start, but didn't walk any batters. Should fans be concerned that he has struggled at this level?

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Game 151: Rogers Outstanding in Win over the Marlins Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

The Nats won 7-1 in Miami as Josh Rogers almost lasted eight innings. Al & Mark evaluate Josh Rogers throwing another solid outing; this one being his best one yet. Where does the lefty stack up for the team's plans in 2022? Hear the hosts put in perspective how rare a deep start has been for the starting staff this season.

(14:26) Keibert Ruiz continued his offensive surge as he had two hits while hitting in the 5th spot. He has not yet homered, but his recent production at the plate is an encouraging sign.

(17:32) Juan Soto reached base three times (or was it four?) on Tuesday night as he had two more hits. One of his times reaching base came as a result of an error by the pitcher, leading to the statistical quandary.

(27:37) The Nationals relieved many of their minor league coaches of their duties. Is this a sign of an impending organizational overhaul?

(40:12) An absolute must listen voice memo regarding October of 2019.

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Game 150: Blunders & Controversy Doom the Nats in Extras Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost a heartbreaker 8-7 at Miami in ten innings. Mark & Al are flabbergasted at how for the third time in under two years; the Nationals have been on the wrong end of a runner's interference call at first base. Josh Bell was called out to end the top of the 10th, costing the team a chance to take the lead. Was the right call made? Hear an exasperated Davey Martinez from his postgame press conference.

(9:56) Luis Garcia had a very costly base running mistake in the top of the 10th as he was not able to score from second base on a Lane Thomas double. Why was he unable to score in that situation?

(19:39) Keibert Ruiz had three hits on Monday and had 4 RBIs, including hits from both sides of the plate. Are we seeing him turn the corner with the bat?

(24:41) Juan Soto reached base four times and had a single. He currently is hitting .315 and is one percentage point behind Trea Turner for the NL lead. Soto has now reached base four times in a game a staggering TWENTY TWO TIMES this season. Hear how his numbers stacks up post all star break against NL MVP front runner Bryce Harper.

(31:15) Erick Fedde had a so so outing as he yielded three homers on the night. The bullpen did not have a good game, but Tanner Rainey stole the show in the 9th. He struck out the side and if you include AAA; he has struck out fifteen consecutive batters.

(38:12) Josh Bell robbed a home run while playing left field. You are reading that last sentence correctly.

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