On a chilly night in the District, the Nats were blanked 4-0 by the Phillies. Mark & Al start with the struggling offense as they only totaled two hits on the evening. One of those was squandered by poor base running as CJ Abrams tried to stretch an early single into a double. (06:25) Lane Thomas was hitless and is mightily slumping this season. So far he is just 2 for 28 at the plate and has not had a hit since the home opener. (10:00) Trey Lipscomb was charged with his 2nd throwing...

The Nats lost 7-4 to Pittsburgh in D.C. to drop a 2nd straight rubber match as they are now 2-4 on the season. Al & Mark recap another bad outing by Josiah Gray as he gave up four runs in the opening inning. His ERA so far this season after a pair of starts is 14.04. (14:00) The offense totaled eight hits after trying to dig themselves out from the early deficit. Lane Thomas was for 0 for 4 and so far he is hitting just .179 on the young season. (18:00) Joey Gallo doubled and drew a walk...

Wednesday was filled with rain in the DMV, but the skies were clear enough in the early evening for a 5-3 Nationals victory over Pittsburgh. Mark & Al start with Joey Gallo as his first hit with the franchise was fittingly a solo HR. He then later added two more hits after beginning the season 0 for 12. (08:00) Luis Garcia Jr. doubled three times and knocked in a run. It is the first time in Garcia's career that he pulled off that feat. (11:40) CJ Abrams had another impressive performance...

The Nats lost 8-3 to the Pirates in their sold out home opener to begin the season 1-3 for the sixth consecutive year. Mark & Al recap a second straight day filled with bullpen struggles as the game was tied at 4 entering the top of the 8th. Matt Barnes and Tanner Rainey shared responsibility for the four late Pirates runs and overall the quartet of Nats relievers gave up ten hits in the afternoon. (12:00) MacKenzie Gore threw a so-so start as he gave up a trio of runs in 5.1 IP on 101...

The Nats came one out shy of winning the opening series of the season as they lost 6-5 on Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati. Mark (Live from Cincy) & Al recap the loss where a 5-3 lead with two outs in the 9th quickly turned into a Reds walk-off HR given up by Kyle Finnegan. (07:30) Trey Lipscomb homered in just his 2nd career game and continues to impress at 3B. (11:00) CJ Abrams also homered on Sunday, but Al takes issue with a decision for him to attempt a sacrifice bunt despite it...

The Nats scored 3 runs in the 9th to escape with a 7-6 victory on Saturday afternoon. Mark (From Cincinnati) & Al discuss the comeback, which involved a lot of "Small Ball". Keibert Ruiz tied the game by getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Eddie Rosario continued his strong start to the season with the go ahead sacrifice fly. CJ Abrams had a excellent game as he scored a trio of runs and also stole 3 bases in the win. (11:00) Trey Lipscomb made his Major League debut as the...

The Nats were routed 8-2 on Opening Day on Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati . Mark (Live from Cincy) & Al recap the defeat that got off to an immediate negative tone as third baseman Nick Senzel broke his thumb while fielding a ground ball in warmups. Then Josiah Gray allowed seven runs before the 3rd inning was over, including allowing a pair of HRs to Nick Martini, who entered the game with only 8 career HRs. (16:20) The offense was very ineffective as only one runner reached scoring...

Mark is back from Florida and so are the Nats as Opening Day is Thursday in Cincinnati. He & Al begin start with the prospect likeliest to begin in Ohio this week and it's not James Wood or Dylan Crews. Hear all the factors that led to Trey Lipscomb escalation up the depth chart within the organization. Lipscomb is an infielder and was drafted by Washington in the 3rd round of the 2022 Draft after playing at the University of Tennessee. (12:00) An update on the starting rotation which...

As Opening Day approaches next week, Mark (From West Palm) & Al react to Davey Martinez giving Josiah Gray the nod to take the mound on March 28th in Cincinnati. Patrick Corbin, who started Opening Day the past two seasons, will get the ball in Game #2. MacKenzie Gore is expected to be the starting pitcher for the home opener on Monday April 1st. (15:20) An update on the bullpen and which arms are healthy as the regular season approaches. (19:15) A look at the outfield and first base from...

Opening Day is under a month away as Mark & Al convene to discuss the latest with the Nationals. James Wood has been the star of Spring Training and that is where the conversation begins. What are the chances the 21-year-old will be with the Nats on March 28th in Cincinnati? (08:30) An update on how Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell III have looked during Grapefruit League play. (11:30) An explanation of the complicated Prospect Promotion Initiative (PPI) that factors into the decision of...

The Nats have played a pair of Grapefruit League games and James Wood homered in each one. Mark & Al begin by discussing the team's #2 ranked prospect's mammoth shots in West Palm and Jupiter over the weekend. Wood is 21 years old spent the bulk of 2023 with Double-A Harrisburg. Meanwhile, Robert Hassell III tripled on Saturday night and Dylan Crews already came through with a diving catch. (11:45) Keibert Ruiz's had a rough start to Spring as he was charged with two catcher interference...

Mark is down in West Palm Beach, Florida for the beginning of Nats Spring Training and relays to Al what he's seen thus far. James Wood has already reported and it is emblematic of the high profile prospects that will garner a lot of attention down at camp unlike the past few seasons. (13:30) Despite the optimism for the future, a negative story line from the past remains as there is still a vacant locker for Stephen Strasburg. Mark explains the complicated situation that was not resolved...

Al & Mark are back in 2024 in what continues to be a very sleepy offseason for the Nationals. The episode begins with an exciting podcast announcement as it relates to the NL East. (12:25) We are joined by two important new additions to the organization who just came over from Baltimore. Brad Ciolek, Senior Director Amateur Scouting, and Danny Haas, VP of Amateur Scouting. A true "Inside Baseball" segment as they give a peek into the world of scouting and the exhaustive preparation head...

The Winter Meetings wrapped up with a flurry of news as Mark has returned home from Nashville. He and Al begin by evaluating the Nick Senzel signing to a one year deal. If he primarily plays 3B, what does mean for Brady House's timeline? This comes as Jeimer Candelario agreed to terms with Cincinnati where Senzel played last season. (10:15) The Nats acquired Nasim Nunez from the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft. Get to learn about the young shortstop. (19:00) Juan Soto has been traded again and he...

The MLB Winter Meetings are underway as Mark (Live from Nashville) & Al check in on the latest regarding the Nationals off-season. Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez each addressed the media and there are indications that this could be another slow Hot Stove for Washington. How does Jeimer Candelario fit into all of that? (19:00) The Stephen Strasburg situation was addressed and we still have not yet reached a resolution. (26:00) An explanation as to why Joey Meneses' did not have the power we...

The Texas Rangers won their 1st World Series title to officially bring on the MLB's off-season. Al & Mark begin with a quick recap of the successful Podcast Party last month at Walter's. Thanks to all who came! (04:00) The Nationals announced that weeknight evening games will begin 20 minutes earlier at 6:45pm. This seems to be a way to encourage more fans to be able to stay for the final few innings, but what about those who don't get off work until around 6:30pm? (11:30) Roll call and...

The Nats ended 2023 on a high note as they defeated the Braves 10-9 in a Sunday Slugfest. Mark (From Georgia) & Al wrap-up the 71 win campaign; which was 16 more victories than a season ago. Washington ended up beating Atlanta 5 times and were never swept from the NL East Champs. (05:30) CJ Abrams stole a pair of bases in the finale to surpass Trea Turner's previous franchise mark. Abrams ended at 47 swipes, which just nosed past Turner's 46 stolen bases in 2017. (12:30) Lane Thomas...

The Nats lost 5-3 on Saturday night in Atlanta despite jumping out to an early edge. Mark (From ATL) & Al examine how the offense immediately attached Spencer Strider, but then went silent after the 1st inning. (06:25) CJ Abrams had a pair of hits and stole his 45th base of the year. He trails Trea Turner (46 - 2017) by just one stolen base for the franchise record in a single season. (11:00) Joan Adon only lasted 4 IP in his final start of the season. Adon made 10 starts and his ERA was...

The Nats out-slugged the Braves on Friday night for their 70th victory on the season. Mark ( From ATL) & Al recap the 10-6 victory that saw Washington crush 5 home runs as Dom Smith continued his scorching September with his 6th trip around the bases this month. (07:40) Carter Kieboom went deep while getting the start in his hometown. The hosts handicap where Kieboom fits into the organizational plans and show why this past stretch might be his last real opportunity to make an...

The Nats were swept in their 2 game series in Baltimore as they fell 5-1 on Wednesday night. Mark (From Camden Yards) & Al have another Nationals loss to discuss as the team is now 7-17 in September. (06:45) Patrick Corbin took the "L" in his final outing of the season. He wraps up with a 10-15 record, ERA of 5.20, and a staggeringly high WHIP of 1.48. Corbin threw 180 IP, up from 152.2 IP. (18:45) Jake Alu had a RBI single; which shockingly was the only run Washington scored on Baltimore...

The Nats lost 1-0 on Tuesday night in Baltimore, to begin their final road trio of the season. Mark (From Camden Yards) & Al though begin by honoring Brooks Robinson, the Orioles Hall of Fame 3rd Baseman, who passed away prior to the game at age 86. Robinson was an 18 time All Star and won 16 Gold Gloves (2nd most all time). (02:00) Josiah Gray only allowed 1 run in 6 IP in what is his final start of the season. Gray dropped his ERA to 3.91 to conclude his All Star season. Al poses the...

On the final day of play this season at Nationals Park, the Nats and Braves split the Sunday doubleheader. Mark & Al open with Jackson Rutledge coming away with his 1st career MLB victory in his 3rd start since getting called up. Rutledge went the minimum 5 IP and is expected to face Atlanta again next weekend. (08:00) Lane Thomas reached the 20/20 plateau and is the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat since Bryce Harper in 2016. (16:10) Jacob Young had an excellent...

The Nats lost 9-6 to the Braves on what was a very busy Friday in Navy Yard. Mark & Al start with the offense somehow going just 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position. CJ Abrams paced the lineup as he had a pair of hits, 3 RBIs, and stole his 43rd base of the season. (10:40) Patrick Corbin immediately fell behind 3-0 and the game began by him surrendering Ronald Acuna Jr.'s 40th homer of the season. Acuna is only the 5th player to join the 40/40 club and is the first since Alfonso...

A day after an easy win, the Nats were smashed by the visiting Braves 10-3 on Thursday evening. Al & Tim recap Jake Irvin's short outing that ended in the top of the 3rd. It matches his shortest start of the season when he also had 2.2 IP vs. Detroit back in May. (11:00) Cory "The Janitor" Abbott struck out 8 Atlanta hitters while throwing nearly 5 innings of mop-up duty. This comes on the 14th consecutive day of play for the Nationals as they have a very fatigued bullpen. (19:45) Alex...

The Nats pummeled the White Sox 13-3 for a rare easy victory on Wednesday afternoon. Mark & Al have plenty of fun items to discuss as the offense came through with a trio of homers and 14 hits. Lane Thomas grand slam broke the game open in the bottom of the 3rd to give Washington a comfortable 8-1 lead. CJ Abrams matched Thomas' feat of reaching base four times as he was able to draw a pair of walks in the win. (16:30) Dom Smith homered for the 5th time this month after only having 6...