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Game 68: Lester Almost Goes the Distance as Nats Club 3 HRs Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals beat the Mets 6-2 to split Saturday's Doubleheader. Al & Mark focus on Jon Lester's impressive attempt to throw a complete game shutout, that made it all the way until the top of the 7th (final inning). Should Davey Martinez have pulled him prior to the 7th, when the game all of a sudden got interesting?

(15:25) Kyle Schwarber went deep twice; including what has become his near tradition of a 1st inning HR. The winning home stand and his performance in the leadoff role have gone hand in hand. Plus, Trea Turner went yard for the first time in a month, will this lead to a surge for the SS?

(25:44) A preview of Sunday's series finale as Patrick Corbin takes the mound. Can the offense get to New York's Taijuan Walker?

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Game 67: Lindor Gets the Best of Ross All Afternoon Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

The Nats lost 5-1 in Game 1 of a Doubleheader vs. the Mets. Mark & Al are dumbfounded by the continuing offensive ineptitude, especially against non-elite starting pitching. Why wasn't Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup vs. the lefty David Peterson?

(9:10) Alex Avila picked up where Yan Gomes left off on Friday night behind the dish. Is this the best defensive catching tandem in team history?

(13:05) Joe Ross has a rough outing, coming off his career best last weekend. Francisco Lindor homered off of him twice and knocked in all five runs off of Ross. Where does Ross fall in the rotation during this current Erick Fedde stretch?

(17:57) Max Scherzer had a successful bullpen session on Saturday. When will he take the mound again? Mark has the latest.

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Game 66: Fedde Blanks the Mets & Gomes Walks it Off Jun 19, 2021

Show notes

The Nats shutout the NL East leading Mets 1-0 to open a crucial four game series. Al & Tim recap the decisive bottom of the 9th, capped by Yan Gomes knocking in Juan Soto. Did New York go to their closer Edwin Diaz too early?

(6:13) Plenty of praise is given to Fedde, who now owns a streak of twenty consecutive scoreless innings. Can we officially consider him a good pitcher? What does this mean for the rotation moving forward?

(16:40) Kyle Finnegan and Brad Hand each were excellent out of the bullpen on Friday night. Has Hand regained the trust of Nationals fans? Plus, The offense has yet another sluggish night at the plate. Does Trea Turner need a day off to regroup?

(30:17) Cade Cavalli made his AA debut in Harrisburg. Is there a scenario that sends him to Washington later this season?

**Five Game win streak means a special throwback treat for Nats fans. Thank you for courtesy:

https://www.reunionofsouls.com/

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Game 65: Paolo's 1st Career Win + Interview on Josh Gibson Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals swept Pittsburgh with a 3-1 victory Wednesday afternoon behind the Legend that is Paolo Espino for a fourth straight win. Al & Mark praise Espino for his five scoreless innings that resulted in his first career Major League win; fifteen years after he was drafted in the tenth round. Do we need to get the Paolo shirts printed ? Plus, another solid performance by the Bullpen, including a five out save by Brad Hand.

(15:49) The Nats had another sluggish day at the plate except for the HRs by Yan Gomes & Josh Bell, but the team has won 5 straight games with Kyle Schwarber as the leadoff hitter.

(20:40) Starlin Castro has been placed on the Restricted List. Mark explains what this means and its effect on the current roster. Why did Luis Garcia get the promotion as opposed to Carter Kieboom, who plays 3B?

(26:18) A preview of a very pivotal four game series vs. the first place Mets. What will the rotation look like for the Saturday Doubleheader?

(30:23) A very special interview with Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. We primarily ask him about Josh Gibson, one of the greatest players ever, who spent a portion of his career playing for the Homestead Grays in Washington. Absolute must listen for any local Baseball fan.

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Game 64: Gomes Grand Slam Leads to Easy Night for Corbin Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals beat up on the Pirates 8-1 for a 3rd straight win. Mark & Al evaluate Patrick Corbin's evening, unquestionably his best start of his season.

(10:32) Yan Gomes effectively ended the game in the opening inning with his Grand Slam to give Washington a 5-0 lead. This was the headliner for a good offensive night as Trea Turner got back over .300, Jordy Mercer had a trio of hits, and Kyle Schwarber continued pacing the team in the leadoff spot.

(25:25) Max Scherzer was placed on the IL Tuesday afternoon. Mark explains what his timetable is looking like for a return to the team. Paolo Espino, the Legend, will take the mound on Wednesday afternoon in Max's place.

(30:10) MLB announced it will be cracking down on pitchers using foreign substances. How will this be enforced? Has Baseball botched this situation?

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Game 63: Schwarber Stays Hot in Narrow Win Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

The Nats topped Pittsburgh 3-2 to move out of last place. Mark & Al highlight how good the pitching has been in the past ten games before celebrating Kyle Schwarber's recent productive run in the leadoff spot. Should Schwarber hit leadoff vs. a left hander on Tuesday?

(11:02) Juan Soto had a very poor throw home on a sacrifice fly. Is his shoulder still an issue? Plus, Jon Lester still can't earn a win, but had another solid outing. Should we be concerned by his trend of always having a high pitch count? The bullpen has had a great run lately and Tanner Rainey had multiple solid appearances in a row. Can he be elevated back to the "Varsity Bullpen"?

(23:47) Mark has a further update on Max Scherzer. Will he return to the mound at all during this homestand?

(27:15) Cade Cavalli was promoted to AA Harrisburg after just seven starts in Wilmington. Any chance he gets called up to Washington in September?

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Game 62: Ross' Best Ever Start Blanks the Giants Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

The Nats shutout San Francisco 5-0 to earn a series split. Al & Mark wonder if this is the best pitched series in team history, as they only allowed three runs in four games. Joe Ross tossed eight shutout innings for the best outing of his career, while striking out nine. Is he about to turn a corner at age 28?

(11:48) Kyle Schwarber hit 2 HRs as leadoff hitter, which effectively sealed the Giants fate early in the game. Have the Nationals figured out their leadoff situation? Plus, Josh Harrison had a four hit afternoon, is it time the quasi- slumping Trea Turner is given a much deserved day off, and how did Victor Robles bounce back after Saturday night's gaffe?

(27:57) The Pirates come to town for a three game series. Mark updates the latest on Max Scherzer, who has a chance to start on Wednesday afternoon. This weekend saw no more capacity restrictions at Nationals Park. How was the energy in the crowd?

(34:04) We celebrate an anniversary in franchise history you might not be aware of. From 2005, when Washington manager Frank Robinson was at odds with Angels skipper Mike Scioscia, resulting in both benches emptying. Plus, an update from Low-A Fredricksburg on their ace pitcher, Mitchell Parker.

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Game 61: Robles TOOTBLAN Caps Frustrating Evening Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

The Nationals dropped the 2nd game of their doubleheader, 2-1 in extras to the Giants. Al & Mark spend plenty of time scratching their heads over Victor Robles decision to tag up from first base in the 8th inning, which led to a backbreaking double play. Will he be benched on Sunday for the crucial mental error?

(13:02) Jefry Rodriguez was called up from AAA and threw four shutout innings in a spot start. Will he continue to get opportunities in Washington this season?

(22:28) Preview of Joe Ross vs. Johnny Cueto on Sunday as the Nats look to split the series. As Al coined, it's the latest installment of "Joe Ross, Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal" as you never know what to expect from the right hander. Plus, Mark explains why Yadiel Hernandez was sent down to Rochester.

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Game 60: Fedde Picks up Where He Left Off in Shutout Win Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

The Nats opened the doubleheader with 2-0 victory over San Francisco as Erick Fedde finally returned to the mound. Mark & Al evaluate Fedde's outing, which was dominant just like his last start in Arizona. It's fitting that he went up against Kevin Gausman, a fellow former 1st round pick, who was a late bloomer.

(9:38) Kyle Schwarber made Davey Martinez look good by hitting a leadoff HR in the 1st. Do you like this approach in a shortened seven inning game?

(13:38) Josh Harrison hit a RBI double despite his recent scuffles. What's the best path for him to succeed, is it sitting a few more days a week?

(18:15) Daniel Hudson Saturday morning was surprisingly placed on the IL due to elbow inflammation. Hear his explanation of how to balance being a team player vs. not over-extending one's arm.

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Game 59: Scherzer Hurt & Bullpen's Miraculous Effort Goes to Waste Jun 12, 2021

Show notes

The Nats were shutout 1-0 by San Francisco as the home stand couldn't have started in a worse fashion. Al & Tim discuss the post World Series curse that seems to continually hover over the organization as Max Scherzer was injured in the top of the 1st. Do you feel better that Scherzer's injury isn't arm related?

(11:25) Tips of the cap to the Bullpen for basically throwing a complete game and only allowing one run. Paolo Espino was unfortunately handed the loss despite throwing 50 pitches with no notice and setting a great tone. The 'pen retired 16 consecutive Giants hitters to end the game. What gives?

(16:22) This was likely the low point of the season for the offense as they couldn't give the 'pen any help whatsoever. The hosts would like to see a roster move made to switch it up. Can you guess the requested odd man out?

(28:16) A listener submitted voice memo bringing back a debate that Nationals fans will have forever in regards to the off-season of 2019.

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