Nats Chat

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Game 78: Turner Hits for the Cycle + Chad Cordero Interview Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

The Nats pounded Tampa Bay 15-6 to complete a two game sweep and their fourth straight win. Mark & Al chronicle Trea Turner hitting for the cycle on his 28th birthday and doing so for the third time in the past five years. However, there is a downside as he jammed his finger while sliding into third base to complete the cycle. Will it affect his availability Thursday vs. LA?

(15:32) The Nationals have beaten up on some of the top teams in Baseball as of late. Their upcoming schedule prior to the All Star Break is a NL West gauntlet. How will they stack up against more elite competition?

(20:01) Jon Lester did not have a particularly good outing, but given the help from the lineup, was able to earn the victory. Is his spot in the rotation in jeopardy if Stephen Strasburg & Erick Fedde return at some point in July? The highlight of the bullpen's afternoon was Andres Machado, who struck out three in two scoreless frames.

(31:47) A special interview with Chad Cordero, who set a franchise record of 47 saves in the Nats memorable first season of 2005. Chad recorded the final out for the first win in team history and also closed out Washington's tenure at RFK Stadium. He most notably had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the 2019 World Series, with his former battery mate Brian Schneider appropriately serving as his catcher.

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Game 77: Schwarber Does it Again & the Nats are Above .500 Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

The Nats edged Tampa Bay 4-3 for a third consecutive win. Al & Mark somehow find a new way to analyze Kyle Schwarber's recent run as he now has homered 16 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 GAMES. Has he entered the NL MVP Race? Listen for what Al explains by "Air Matters" as it relates to the D.C. summer.

(14:31) Juan Soto & Victor Robles each had significant homers on Tuesday night. It was Soto's first homer at Nationals Park this year and Robles went yard for the first time all season. Why was Robles given a key after the game?

(22:01) Joe Ross had a solid outing for the third time in four starts and his June ERA is sub two. The hosts tip their caps to Ross for the month he has had, which includes pitching into the later innings.

(26:22) Tanner Rainey becomes the latest bullpen pitcher to go on the 10 day IL. What is Davey Martinez going to do for these next few weeks as there are zero off days until the All Star Break? How much can he ride Brad Hand?

(37:17) Listener submitted email asking about Kyle Schwarber's defensive metrics for this season.

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Game 76: Schwarber Crushes Two More As Espino Does His Part Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

The Nats doubled up the Mets 8-4 as they slugged five homers and Paolo Espino earned his second career win. Al & Mark start with Kyle Schwarber continuing his historic power surge as he now has gone deep FIFTEEN TIMES IN THE LAST 17 GAMES. He now shares company with Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Frank Howard based upon the recent stats he's amassed.

(15:02) Gerardo Parra picked up where he left off last week vs. the Mets as he homered and doubled. What makes his plays so infectious when he is on South Capitol Street? The team is 6-2 since he has been called up.

(20:06) Ryan Zimmerman hit a crucial 3 run HR to end New York's hopes of a late comeback one day after we wondered on the show when Zim's power would return.

(26:02) Paolo "The Secret Weapon" Espino threw five shutout innings as he did nothing but throw strikes. Can we get Paolo to Denver for next month's All Star Game? (We are serious, his ERA is 2.02)

(34:25) Brad Hand came through in the clutch to record a five out save. Is he also worthy of All Star consideration based upon his past month?

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Game 75: Turner & Bell Homer to Salvage the Split in Miami Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals beat the Marlins 5-1 as Max Scherzer won his seventh game of the season. Mark & Al recap the lineup's performance as Trea Turner & Josh Bell turned the tied in the 6th inning, and the hosts point of how dependent Washington is on the long ball. Josh Harrison stepped up while hitting fifth, as he had a RBI single in the first inning.

(11:03) Juan Soto had multiple extra base hits this weekend in Miami, but it's been almost three weeks since his last home run. Is it due to the shoulder or is he simply just not having his usual type of year? The hosts also shown a spotlight on the dip in Ryan Zimmerman's numbers the past few weeks.

(17:02) Mark nailed it on Friday with his prediction that Davey Martinez might pencil in Victor Robles back in the nine spot. This spurs a conversation about Robles' offensive struggles this year and if his spot in the lineup is at all in jeopardy this season.

(25:28) Max Scherzer didn't have his best stuff, but still good enough to only allow one run. Plus, what's the latest across MLB with the sticky substance checks, that caused such controversy earlier in the week?

(34:34) Erick Fedde's run of bad luck continues as he surprisingly lands on the IL due to a oblique strain. Will the "Secret Weapon" take his place in the rotation?

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Game 74: Bats Can't Do Enough Against Marlins Rookie Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 3-2 in Miami for a second straight defeat. Al recaps the offensive struggles versus Marlins rookie Zach Thompson, who was only making his fourth career Major League start. Starlin Castro however has been swinging much better ever since returning from the Restricted List.

(14:21) Patrick Corbin tagged with the loss in his uneven start. He had rough first inning, but then settled down to retired ten in a row. What to make of Corbin on Saturday?

(20:22) A preview of Max Scherzer taking the mound Sunday, in hopes of splitting the series. He faces a stiff test in Miami starter Sandy Alcantara. Plus, Al catches you up on the busy day across the NL East, including a crushing injury for Atlanta.

(26:25) A voice memo submitted from a listener about Cade Cavalli and his chances of being part of the 2021 rotation.

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Game 73: Lester Clunker Snaps the Win Streak Jun 26, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals were drubbed 11-2 in Miami; ending a string of five straight victories. Mark & Al discuss Jon Lester's worst outing since joining Washington. What was different Friday night from his previous solid start? Why didn't Davey Martinez go to Jefry Rodriguez earlier in order to eat more innings?

(12:01) Mark gives an update on Josh Bell's MRI and what his status is for this weekend.

(16:05) Kyle Schwarber hit another HR, he now has 13 HOMERS IN THE LAST 14 GAMES. The guys run through all the eye popping stats from this run he has been on and put it in historical context.

(23:55) Trea Turner has hit into a surprisingly high amount of double plays this season. Why so many for the speedster? The conversation leads towards the looming next contract for Trea.

(30:40) Scott Boras, Max Scherzer's agent, had intriguing comments about what it would take to land Scherzer in a trade. What does this mean for the Nats, especially now that they might be buyers at the trade deadline?

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Game 72: Schwarber & Ross Propel the Nats to .500 Jun 25, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals beat the Marlins 7-3 for a fifth straight victory. Al & Mark marvel at how Kyle Schwarber hit two more bombs, a historic run of 12 HOMERS IN 13 GAMES! Is the best stretch a Nat has ever had at the plate?

(9:53) Juan Soto had a pair of RBI doubles, showing some rarely seen power of late. How's the 1-2-3 punch looking at the top of the lineup right now?

(16:35) Joe Ross bounced back and threw seven shutout innings. Why are Ross outings all over the map. Plus, Mark points out a looming issue with Ross' usage you might be aware of for this season.

(26:28) A preview of Jon Lester's start on Friday night vs. Pablo Lopez, coming off his best outing of the season. Plus, a look at the current state of the Marlins franchise and their cavernous stadium.

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Game 71: Late Offensive Explosion Leads to 9th Inning Rally Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

The Nats emerged victorious in a seesaw affair 13-12 over the Phillies. Mark & Al aren't quite sure where to start so the conversation begins with the decisive 9th inning. What would have happened if Jordy Mercer had to exit the game? Was it the right move to have Alex Avila sacrifice bunt? No Starlin Castro jokes today as he was the hero with the 2 run single in the 9th.

(8:01) Josh Bell hit a grand slam which put Washington ahead and his skipper said afterward, "That made him a National". Kyle Schwarber yet again went deep, but Juan Soto's scuffles continued.

(21:20) Erick Fedde's scoreless inning streak came to screeching halt at 21 frames as he allowed five runs in only four innings. Cause for concern or just a speed bump for Fedde?

(24:36) The bullpen struggled mightily as they temporarily blew the lead in the 8th. HOWEVER, Paolo "The Secret Weapon" Espino recorded his first career save. Will he keep getting more high leverage situations?

(36:57) Today is the 10th anniversary of Jim Riggleman's abrupt resignation as Nationals manager. Come learn the history of "St. Caddies Day".

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Game 70: Scherzer Undresses Girardi & The Phils Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

The Nats beat the Phillies 3-2 on a tension filled evening in Philadelphia. Max Scherzer made his dissatisfaction quite clear with the new protocol of checking pitchers for sticky substances. His aggravation escalated as Phillies Manager Joe Girardi requested a third check, which led to fireworks between the two. Oh by the way, Washington is now tied for second place in the NL East, as they have won eight of the past nine games.

(18:40) Brad Hand made his fourth appearance in the past five days. It worked out well, but it sure was an adventurous four out save. Plus, Tanner Rainey assumed eighth inning duties as Kyle Finnegan was placed on the IL.

(24:30) The offense had a strong start to the night as they knocked out Zack Wheeler prior to the fourth inning. That is where the compliments end.

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Game 69: Baby Shark Return Highlighted by Schwarber's 3 Bombs Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

The Nats defeated the Mets 5-2 to take the series and close out the home stand with an 8-3 record. Mark & Al capture the avalanche of good vibes on South Capitol Street Sunday. Kyle Schwarber went deep three times, to punctuate an all-time stretch, as he homered NINE TIMES in the last ten games.

(12:03) For the 1st time since October of 2019, Gerardo Parra returned to Nationals Park. Not only did "Baby Shark" resume, but he had a pinch hit double in the bottom of the 7th that led to crucial insurance runs. Mark explains why he was called up from AAA instead of Yadiel Hernandez.

(19:46) Patrick Corbin had a second straight impressive outing, while only issuing one walk. His ERA in June is 3.65 as his season continues to improves. The hosts take the chance to salute the pitching staff in general for incredible work these past three series, at times completely dominating their foes.

(29:11) A preview of the two game series that opens in Philadelphia on Tuesday as the Nats are believe it or not are just a game back of 2nd place in the NL East. Max Scherzer returns from the IL Tuesday, Erick Fedde and his scoreless streak takes the mound Wednesday afternoon.

**COME JOIN TIM TUESDAY NIGHT AT WALTER'S - First 3 Pod listeners to show up will get a Nats Chat T-shirt.

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