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Game 108: Robles, Garcia, & Kieboom All Go Deep in Loss Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals lost 9-5 to the Phillies despite hitting four homers. Al & Mark focus on the young starters who cleared the fences, especially Luis Garcia who had a pair of dingers. What is his offensive ceiling?

(11:11) Juan Soto has cooled off recently and has reverted to hitting a lot of ground balls. Did the fire sale affected his day to day approach at the plate?

(18:55) Paolo Espino had his worst outing of the season as he allowed six runs in five innings and could not hang onto an early 3-0 lead. What was missing from Paolo in this start?

(27:45) Anthony Rendon of the Angels is out for the season due to a hip issue. We recommend you check out our conversation on the risks associated with signing players in their 30's in our Game 107 episode.

(32:04) MLB released the 2022 schedule on Wednesday afternoon with no advanced notice. Why doesn't the sport try to make this a bigger rollout? Mark offers a potential new approach to scheduling Opening Day for Washington.

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Game 107: Corbin Folds Late + Turner Failed Extension Talks Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 5-4 to the Phillies and Zack Wheeler. Mark & Al analyze Patrick Corbin's start which was very good until he allowed a pair of 7th inning HRs. He has now given up 25 home runs this season in just 21 starts.

(9:34) Wander Suero was sent down to AAA as Javy Guerra took his roster spot. Additionally, Ryne Harper pitched a solid 9th inning as many fans have been howling for him to be given high leverage opportunities.

(21:20) Riley Adams was called up less than a week after being acquired from Toronto in the Brad Hand trade. Keibert Ruiz then homered in his Rochester debut. What does the future look like behind the plate for the Nats?

(25:12) Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported that the Nats previously offered Trea Turner 6 years/100M in 2020. This lead to a long conversation about the changing landscape in the sport regarding Free Agency, especially for players in their late 20s/early 30's. Important listen for those still upset about Turner being dealt away.

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Game 106: Gray Solid in Debut But Bullpen Implodes in the 9th Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 7-5 (or was it 6-5?) to the Phillies after allowing five runs in the top of the 9th. Al & Mark evaluate Josiah "JoJo" Gray's first start as a National as he only allowed one run in five innings.

(9:56) Mason Thompson also made his franchise debut, a relief pitcher acquired from San Diego as part of the Daniel Hudson deal, had a crucial strikeout to strand the bases loaded in the 6th.

(12:33) The bullpen conversation turns negative as Washington coughed up the lead. Why was Wander Suero the choice to relieve Gabe Klobosits in the 9th?

(19:48) The Mets lost again and it serves as a reminder that the Nationals would be right in contention if not for the recent blown saves. Will the division winner finish over .500?

(31:11) A preview of Patrick Corbin's start Tuesday night turns into an impromptu conversation of who might be the Opening Day starter next Spring. Could it be Paolo? #PaoloFor2022OpeningDay.

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Game 105: Yadiel Walks It Off Despite Ortega's Trio of HRs Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

The Nats walked off the Cubs 6-5 to win the series. Mark & Al react to the unexpected HR Derby that took place between Yadiel Hernandez and Chicago's Rafael Ortega. Hernandez went deep twice, including the game winner in the bottom of the 9th, while occupying the cleanup spot.

(10:18) A dissection of various decisions stemming from Sunday's lineup card. Will Keibert Ruiz replace Rene Rivera on the roster later this month behind the plate? Will Luis Garcia split time at 2B/SS? Where does Alcides Escobar fit into all of this?

(15:12) Juan Soto was walked often over the weekend and has increased his ample lead in that category in the NL. Should we expect more walks in his near future this season?

(23:39) The hosts have differing opinions on Erick Fedde's outing as he handed the bullpen a one run lead after six innings. How much should we read into Davey letting him finish the frame?

(33:45) Nats fans are in for an August treat as Josiah Gray will make his Washington debut vs. the Phillies at home on Monday. What should we expect from the newly acquired Gray as he has two recent big league appearances under his belt?

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Game 104: Good Riddance to July as it Ends with Another Loss Aug 01, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 6-3 to the Cubs to end what was likely the worst month in franchise history. Mark & Al put a bow on July 2021 and spin it forward. They analyze Victor Robles returning to the leadoff spot, which he briefly held back in April.

(11:28) Luis Garcia started at shortstop Saturday night as Alcides Escobar had the night off. Could he be the long-term answer there or will he likely be at 2B? Where does recent draft pick Brady House fit into the equation? Carter Kieboom made another error at 3B and he struggled again. How long will his leash be at the hot corner for the final two months?

(20:30) Juan Soto enters a new chapter of his career as he is now "The Face of the Franchise". How will he handle that role, especially in an under .500 season? Plus, Joe Ross earned his "Spin the Wheel/ Make the Deal" status as he regressed this outing.

(28:52) Update on Josiah Gray and when to expect him in Washington.

(34:35) Listener submitted email, including one from Europe and a question about Max Scherzer's 2022 Free Agent options.

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Game 103: Fire Sale Concludes Prior to Garcia Homering in the Win Jul 31, 2021

Show notes

The Nats edged the Cubs 4-3 after a dizzying two day stretch that saw eight players traded away. Al & Mark digest what the deadline moves mean for the organization moving forward and analyze the remarkable Jon Lester trade. They also point out just how different the farm system is now regarded after acquiring a dozen prospects.

(13:46) Reaction to Friday night's starting lineup that looks a lot different after all the moves. Should Victor Robles return to the leadoff spot as opposed to Andrew Stevenson?

(20:05) Ryan Zimmerman was retained unlike most veterans ahead of the trade deadline. Was there a possibility the Nationals would have dealt him away? Same question applies to Josh Bell.

(26:08) Paolo Espino earned his third win of the season as he pitched into the sixth inning. This comes as he only had three hours notice that he would be taking the mound.

(32:04) Listener submitted emails reacting to the flurry of trades.

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Games 101/102: **Scherzer & Turner** Traded After Split in Philly Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals split their doubleheader in Philadelphia, but the main news postgame was the blockbuster trade that sent Max Scherzer & Trea Turner to the Dodgers. Mark & Al analyze the mega move by Washington and assess what they think of the move. Why was Turner dealt instead of locking him up to a long-term contract? Did they get enough in return from LA?

(12:15) Kiebert Ruiz (catcher) and Josiah Gray (pitcher) are the top rated prospects in the Dodgers system. When will they be contributing at the big league level?

(25:24) The Nats won Game 1 of the doubleheader 3-1 in Scherzer's final start for the franchise. As fitting as the victory was, Al wonders why the team put Max on the mound while he was on the trade block. Mark explains what might have led to the initial report on Thursday afternoon that the Padres were Scherzer's likely landing spot, not LA.

(35:38) Washington coughed up a 7-0 lead in Game 2 of the doubleheader, missing a major opportunity to sneakily have an outside chance in the division. The bullpen had its worst game yet, as they collapsed in their first day without Brad Hand. Mark puts in perspective how this loss was a microcosm of the entire season.

(43:36) Tim updates the trades that were made after taping of Kyle Schwarber to Boston & Daniel Hudson to the Padres.

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Game 100: Strasburg Surgery News & the Skid Ends at Five Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals beat the Phillies 6-4, but Tuesday was filled with bad news for the organization. Al & Mark react to the announcement that Stephen Strasburg will have season ending surgery. For those not familiar with the procedure, they explain what TOS typically means for pitchers and the long-term ramifications.

(15:15) Trea Turner was pulled from the game in the 1st inning due to a positive COVID-19 test. We hope that he is feeling ok, but also wonder what does this mean for his potential value on the trade market?

(22:22) Victor Robles exited mid at-bat due to lower back tightness. Just how many roster contingency plans does Mike Rizzo need to balance this week?

(26:10) We finally recap the victory, which saw a pair of 3 run HRs early in the game. Brad Hand this time converted the save and Mark explains why he was given the ball in the bottom of the 9th. Plus, an evaluation of Carter Kieboom's rough defensive performance.

(33:10) A review of Erick Fedde's start, which soured in the 5th. Will we see Fedde return to the form he had prior to his oblique injury?

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Game 99: Hand Collapses Again for a 5th Straight Defeat Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals coughed up a late lead and fell 6-5 in Philadelphia on a walk-off 3 run HR by Andrew McCutchen off of closer Brad Hand. Mark & Al put in perspective what this means for Hand's value on the trade market in addition to the "kick in the teeth" type loss they were dealt.

(4:01) Twitter was filled with reports that the Nats are listening to trade offers for Trea Turner, who is a Free Agent after 2022. Should Washington consider dealing away their All Star Shortstop?

(15:37) Max Scherzer is open to accepting a trade per the Washington Post in order to try and win another World Series. This leads to Al posing a contrarian idea Nats fans might enjoy.

(24:25) Joe Ross had a solid return to the mound after a few weeks on the IL. What is his ceiling?

(33:42) Listener submitted emails. Email yours into natschatpodcast@gmail.com

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Game 98: Swept by the O's as Hand Blows the Save Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals were swept in Baltimore as they lost 5-4 on Sunday afternoon. Mark & Al recap the gut punching defeat and try to understand how they could have lost four games in a row to last place teams. What should we expect this week from the front office as Friday's Trade Deadline looms?

(15:15) Washington entered the bottom of the ninth with a one run lead, but Brad Hand immediately put the leadoff hitter on base. Should Hand and Daniel Hudson flip roles?

(20:20) Paolo Espino was in line for the victory until the 9th, but did allow three solo shots. On the other side, many of the Nats big names didn't produce much at the plate this weekend. Plus, a look at the evolving situation at catcher. How important is the absence of Yan Gomes?

(26:30) For some good news, Joe Ross is expected to come off the IL and pitch Monday in Philadelphia. When will Max Scherzer return to the mound?

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