Nats Chat

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire

A Washington Nationals podcast offering recap and analysis after every game, plus all the breaking news throughout the year. Hosted by Mark Zuckerman of natsjournal.com & Al Galdi, host of "The Al Galdi Podcast". For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tim Shovers at natschatpodcast@gmail.com.

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#1025
Today · 41 min
Gray's Save Cements the Mets in Last Place
Friday was busy one at Nationals Park as it began with a Cade Cavalli press conference and ended with a 7-6 win over the Mets. Mark & Al begin with Josiah Gray, who earned his first career save by holding off New York in the top of the 9th. It was the first time that Gray took the mound in Navy Yard since April 4th, 2024. (10:00) Blake Butera feels that if Washington had an average bullpen this season, then they would be preparing for the postseason. (16:00) Paul Toboni addressed the media
#1024
Thursday · 38 min
Nuñez Steals the Record in Afternoon Victory
The Nats took the series with a 4-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon in Detroit. Mark (From Comerica Park) & Al examine the team wrapping upits road campaign with a winning road trip in St. Louis & Detroit. Washington finished the season with a 38-43 record on the road as they had a stretch where they lost 21 of 23 away games this summer. (6:00) It was a victorious Bullpen game that opened with Richard Lovelady on the mound. Brad Lord had the most usage of any of the six relievers as he lasted
#1023
Wednesday · 29 min
Abrams Goes Deep Twice in Detroit Win
The Nats topped the Tigers 3-1 on Tuesday night behind a pair of homers by CJ Abrams. Mark (From Detroit) & Al begin with four rookie pitchers combining to preserve the victory despite not throwing one clean inning all evening. (06:00) Riley Cornelio served as the Opener behind handing the ball off to Jackson Kent in the bottom of the 3rd. Cornelio's ERA in September is an impressive 1.84 in six appearances. (8:00) Erik Tolman notched his 4th save of the season while striking out the side.
#1022
Tuesday · 35 min
Shaky Start for Herz in Defeat
The Nats lost 9-2 in Detroit on Monday night as we are in the final week of the season. Al & Tim begin with DJ Herz, who struggled in his first Big League start since September 2024. Herz lasted four innings and allowed four Tigers runs in the process. (06:00) Herz had Tommy John surgery in April of 2025 and originally came to the organization in 2023 in exchange for Jeimer Candelario. (10:00) Luis Perales had a nightmare outing as he gave up five runs in just two innings of work. Perales
#1021
Monday · 33 min
Blown Save #42
The Nats fumbled an 8th inning lead and lost 5-3 on Sunday afternoon in St. Louis. Al & Tim cite the familiar bullpen refrain as they extended their MLB record for most blown saves in a season to 42 occurrences. (05:00) Yovanny Cruz gave up the pivotal 2-run homer to Leo Bernal that gave the Cardinals the 5-3 lead in the bottom of the 8th. Cruz's ERA is up to 5.27 in 15 appearances this season. (10:00) What will Paul Toboni do differently when building next season's bullpen? (16:00) Jake I
#1020
Sunday · 34 min
Nats Outlast the Cardinals in the 11th
The Nats prevailed in St. Louis 8-5 on Saturday night in a four-hour affair that lasted 11 innings. Al & Mark convene after Washington grabbed their sixth win the past seven games. The Nationals won their 73rd game of the season; guaranteeing that they will avoid 90 losses in 2026. (06:00) Andrew Alvarez was fantastic as he tossed six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. Alvarez's ERA is at 3.17 this season and it seems for almost certain that he will part of the 2027 rotation. (12:00) T
#1019
September 19 · 49 min
Cavalli Gets an Extension and a Win on Friday
Friday was a great day for the Nationals as it began with Cade Cavalli signing an extension and it ended with a 9-1 win in St. Louis. Al & Mark dive right into the deal with Cavalli that is worth $47M over 4 years; with a team option for 2031. (08:00) What does this move say about ownership? (14:00) What motivated Cavalli to sign this extension now? Cavalli is not a Scott Boras client. (25:00) Just a few hours after the extension was announced, Cavalli took the mound in St. Louis. Cavalli
#1018
September 17 · 42 min
13 Walks Issued in a Shutout Loss
The Nats four-game win streak was halted by the visiting Phillies on Wednesday night. Al & Mark recap the 3-0 loss; which was low lighted by the bullpen issuing a staggering 13 walks in the defeat. (04:00) Jared Simpson opened the game, but only recorded one out while walking four Phillies. Simpson has combined to issue seven walks in his past two outings. (12:00) Luis Perales had a wild boxscore as he tossed two scoreless innings, but in rather adventurous fashion. Perales issued five walks
#1017
September 16 · 31 min
Lile's 3-Run Blast Extends the Winning Streak
The Nats win streak extended to four-games with another comeback victory on Tuesday night. Mark & Al dig into the 6-3 victory over the visiting Phillies, who are now five and a half games behind Atlanta in the NL East standings. (03:00) A quick message from Tim about supporting the podcast. (06:00) Daylen Lile did not get the start, but changed the game with his pinch-hit opportunity in the bottom of the 7th. Blake Butera loaded up a right-handed heavy lineup against Philadelphia ace Jonatha
#1016
September 14 · 28 min
8th Inning Rally Sweeps the Angels
The Nationals rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the bottom 8th to prevail with a 6-5 win over the Angels on Sunday afternoon. Mark & Al discuss Washington sweeping the worst team in the AL during the weekend series in Navy Yard. (06:00) Daylen Lile began the four-run 8th with a RBI triple and it ended with a Dylan Crews RBI single for a 6-4 lead. (11:30) James Wood did not run hard when thrown out at home in the 1st. Ryan Zimmerman called him out on the broadcast and Wood apologized after the g
#1015
September 13 · 39 min
Nats Battle Back to Walk it off in the 10th
The Nats blew a late 4-run lead but ultimately emerged victorious on Saturday afternoon over the Angels. Al & Tim examine the 6-5 walk-off victory after Harry Ford's comebacker was not fielded cleanly in the 10th and that brought across CJ Abrams for the winning run. (07:00) Andrew Alvarez struck out eight Angels in seven innings of work; while allowing only one hit. Alvarez seems to be on the path towards locking up a rotation spot for next season. Alvarez is an organizational success story
#1014
September 12 · 37 min
Cavalli Whiffs 9 Angels in Comeback Win
The Nats snapped their seven game losing streak on Friday night as they rallied past the Angels 4-3 in Navy Yard. Before Al & Mark dig into the dramatic bottom of the 8th, they address a significant shake up in the team's medical personnel. (04:00) Mark reported prior to the game that the team parted ways with Harvey Sharman, the franchise's executive director of medical services. Sharman has been with the organization since 2016 and he came over from Leeds United Football Club in Europe. (
#1013
September 10 · 37 min
A Winless Trip to California
The Nats were swept by the Padres on Wednesday for their 7th straight loss. Mark (From San Diego) & Al jump right into the reality that is an 0-6 road trip in Southern California after falling 9-2 in the Petco Park matinee. Adding extra insult to injury, Maryland native Jackson Merrill drove in six runs in the midst of his two homer effort. (05:30) Blake Butera was ejected in the bottom of the 3rd when the Padres took a 3-2 lead. (11:00) Jackson Kent only lasted four innings as he allowed f
#1012
September 9 · 39 min
Record-Setting 38th Blown Save
The Nats bullpen set a dubious MLB record in Tuesday night's 5-4 loss to the Padres. Mark (From San Diego) & Al examine the bullpen implosion that occurred in the bottom of the 8th as Washington fumbled away their 3-run lead. This was the 3rd blown save of the five game winless road trip in Southern California and their 38th of the season. That sets a record for blown saves; surpassing the 37 blown saves committed by the 2024 White Sox (stat began in 1988**). (08:00) Riley Cornelio threw thr
#1011
September 8 · 32 min
Crews Homers in San Diego Loss
The Nats are now 0-4 on their West Coast road trip as they lost 3-2 on Labor Day afternoon in San Diego. Mark (From Petco Park) & Al convene after Washington lost for the 19th time in the past 21 road games. The assignment was a tough one as first pitch was at 2pm PT on Monday afternoon despite not finishing their series in LA until 10pm PT on Sunday night. (06:00) Dylan Crews hit his 11th homer of the season to cut the deficit to one run in the top of the 6th. Crews also had an outfield assi
#1010
September 7 · 29 min
Record-Tying 37th Blown Save
The Nats yet again coughed up a late lead as the tied the 2024 White Sox for the most blown saves in a season. Mark (From Dodger Stadium) & Tim recap the 7-5 loss in Los Angeles on Sunday evening. Washington led 5-4 until Mookie Betts' 3-run HR in the bottom of the 8th off of Will Dion. (05:00) Orlando Ribalta was unavailable out of the 'pen due to right forearm tightness. Ribalta felt discomfort less than an hour before the game and he will get a MRI on Tuesday in San Diego. (09:00) Dion st
#1009
September 6 · 35 min
Blown Save #36
The Nats fell 6-5 on Saturday night in L.A. for their 17th road loss in their past 19 games. Mark (From Dodger Stadium) & Tim begin with another failed top of the 9th rally by Washington. CJ Abrams ultimately struck out with two runners on base to end the game. (05:10) Clayton Beeter gave up a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 7th to Tommy Edman, the 36th blown save for the franchise this season. The Nationals pitching staff somehow leads MLB in both walks and homers allowed. (12:00) Cade C
#1008
September 5 · 25 min
Comeback Falls Short in the 9th
The Nats lost to the Dodgers 5-3 on Friday night to begin their six game road trip. Mark (From Dodger Stadium) & Al open with the Nationals 9th inning comeback where they almost overcame a five run deficit. James Wood's RBI double brought to the tying run to the plate, but Andres Chaparro then flew out to end the affair. (07:00) Nasim Nunez had an active evening and some of it was not very good. Nunez stole his 45th base of the season, but then was thrown out at 3rd with Wood up to bat as he o
#1007
September 3 · 37 min
Wood Returns in Shutout Loss
The Nats were blanked 9-0 on Wednesday by the visiting Braves. Al & Tim examine the defeat where Washington only mustered two hits and didn't get their first one until the bottom of the 6th. This concludes a brutal stretch of 16 straight games without an off-day. (05:00) James Wood returned from the IL and his 6th inning single was one of the team's two hits. Wood has 30 home runs with 20 games remaining and last season he finished with 31 homers. (08:00) The other hit came form YoYo Moral
#1006
September 2 · 38 min
YoYo Homers in Winning Debut
The Nats beat the Braves 9-5 on Tuesday night to open a two game series in Navy Yard. Al & Mark note how the team has won five of its past six games and their 67th victory of the season surpasses last season's total. Can they go 13-8 down the stretch to reach the 80-win plateau? (11:00) Yohandy "YoYo" Morales was a triple shy of the cycle in his MLB debut. His first MLB hit was a homer and he came very close to hitting a 2nd one, but it hit off the top of the wall. Morales was drafted in the

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