Nats Chat

Juan Soto was runner-up for NL MVP as Bryce Harper won for the second time in his career.  Mark & Al react to Soto coming up short in his bid for the MVP and split hairs between the two former teammates resumes. Was Harper more deserving?

(10:17) Scott Boras, Soto's agent, had some interesting comments at the recent GM Meetings regarding his client's future. What are the chances the Nats lock him up to an extension befor...

Mark & Al return for the first off-season edition of Nats Chat. Since the Nationals season ended, there have been a few changes on the coaching staff, most notably at hitting coach. Darnell Coles replaces Kevin Long; who took a job with Philadelphia. What led to Long leaving town?  What attributes does Coles bring to the position? What does Juan Soto make of this change?

(17:13) Bob Henley & Randy Knorr have new assignments ...

The Nats ended their season with a 7-5 loss to Playoff bound Boston. Mark & Al open with their thoughts on the emotional moment in the top of the 8th when Ryan Zimmerman was ceremoniously removed from the game to thunderous applause. It certainly felt like his final game, will it end up being so?

(10:47) Juan Soto struggled on Sunday and struck out three times. Given that nobody else ran away with it, does he still have a chance...

The Nats lost 5-3 to Boston on Saturday afternoon. Mark & Al go through Josiah Gray's good outing, which was arguably his best start of the season.

(8:13) The bullpen had another active day and Mason Thompson was the low light as he walked an AL relief pitcher on four pitches.  What approach should Mike Rizzo take for next season in bolstering the bullpen?

(20:06) Gerardo Parra made possibly his final at bat in Washington, Jo...

The Nats lost 4-2 to the Red Sox in a crucial game in terms of the AL Wildcard chase. Al & Mark react to Juan Soto managing to walk four more times on Friday, lifting his total on the season to 144.  Does Soto still have a chance at the MVP?

(9:28) Jordy Mercer homered, but curiously got the start at 2B over Luis Garcia.  Just a day off for Garcia or anything more?

(15:20) Josh Rogers was impressive for five shutout innings, but ...

The Nats lost 10-5 in Colorado in their final road game of the season. Al & Mark assess where the rotation stands as Paolo Espino's outing was cut short due to the two hour rain delay  that began in the top of the 3rd. Will he get the nod for Sunday's finale vs. Boston as Patrick Corbin season is over?

(17:55) Juan banged his knee into the chain link outfield fence while making an excellent catch.  He stayed in the game ...

The Nats lost 3-1 in Colorado as Patrick Corbin struck out nine in what could be his final start of the season.  Mark & Al evaluate Corbin as September has by far been his best month of his terrible season. How important will ending this year on a positive note be for the high priced lefty?  What are the chances he pitches Sunday vs. the Red Sox?

(15:27) Juan Soto went 0 for 4 and didn't reach base for the first time in two ...

The Nats beat Colorado 5-4 as Josiah Gray has been victorious in back to back starts. Al & Mark discuss Gray's outing, which was scoreless through the first five innings. What led to him becoming ineffective though in the 6th?  Was it hustling down the line on a bunt or was it facing the Rockies lineup for a third time?

(10:08) The Nationals bullpen had a good night as they only allowed one run.  Davey Martinez changed it up...

The Nats lost 9-2 in Cincinnati as Ryne Harper yielded a MLB record tying fourteenth grand slam on the season by the pitching staff.  Before we get into our usual show, Tim does some end of season housekeeping.

(5:38) Mark & Al recap Josh Rogers' outing as he held the Reds scoreless early, but it unraveled for him the third time through the order. What was different for Rogers today as opposed to his previous solid outings?

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The Nats lost 7-6 in Cincinnati as Nick Castellanos hit a walk-off homer against Patrick Murphy. Al & Tim evaluate Keibert Ruiz's evening as he threw out two runners and also homered for the second straight night. Is Ruiz lately starting show the franchise catcher potential we have been told about?

(7:10) Lane Thomas homered again and kept the train rolling. Hear Tim's opinion on where the CF derby stands for Opening Day...

The Nats late rally came up short in Cincinnati as they lost 8-7 in 11 innings. Mark & Al wonder why the Nationals so often can score late in the game, but then can't bring in a run in extras. The 9th inning comeback involved three runs scored; all coming with two outs.

(9:18) Keibert Ruiz hit his first homer with Washington and had three hits overall on the evening.  Ruiz is hitting .315 this month. 

(11:47) Juan Soto did no...

The Nats edged the Reds 3-2 for their 3rd straight victory. Al & Mark search for the proper superlatives for Juan Soto as his torrid stretch continued on Thursday night. He yet again reached base four times, set a franchise record in walks, and has lifted his average to .325. Is it fair to say he is the NL MVP frontrunner with a week to go?  How does this recent run affect potential extension talks?

(22:52) Patrick Corbin did no...

The Nats won 7-5 in Miami for a rare series victory. Mark & Al begin with Josiah Gray's much needed solid outing that resulted in his career Major League win.  Most encouraging for Gray was that he did not allow any homers and only issued one walk in six innings.

(11:55) Juan Soto was all over the scorecard on Wednesday night as he reached base five times and was a triple shy of the cycle.  Soto walked twice; tying Bryce Har...

The Nats won 7-1 in Miami as Josh Rogers almost lasted eight innings. Al & Mark evaluate Josh Rogers throwing another solid outing; this one being his best one yet.  Where does the lefty stack up for the team's plans in 2022? Hear the hosts put in perspective how rare a deep start has been for the starting staff this season.

(14:26) Keibert Ruiz continued his offensive surge as he had two hits while hitting in the 5th spot. ...

The Nats lost a heartbreaker 8-7 at Miami in ten innings. Mark & Al are flabbergasted at how for the third time in under two years; the Nationals have been on the wrong end of a runner's interference call at first base.   Josh Bell was called out to end the top of the 10th, costing the team a chance to take the lead. Was the right call made?  Hear an exasperated Davey Martinez from his postgame press conference.

(9:56) Luis ...

The Nats shutout Colorado 3-0 as Paolo Espino earned his fifth victory of the season.  Al & Mark tip their caps to Espino, who held a potent Rockies lineup scoreless in almost six frames.  Who could have ever guessed the season that Paolo is having?  It was the first shutout pitched by the Nationals staff since mid June.

(11:03)  Tanner Rainey returned to the mound after a lengthy stay in Rochester. He struck out the side in an ...

The Nats were blanked 6-0 by Colorado for a third straight defeat. Mark & Al begin with a lengthy discussion centering around Patrick Corbin; as the lefty's ERA rose back above 6.00. What are the team's options on how to handle Corbin in 2022?  Does the organization as a whole need to alter things behind the scenes as it relates to pitching?

(19:28) The bullpen threw five shutout innings on Saturday between Ryne Harper a...

The Nats lost 9-8 to the Rockies as yet another late lead was snatched away. Mark & Al recap Kyle Finnegan blowing a second straight save and how the bullpen continues to cost the team wins. Is Finnegan and his mates operating on fumes?

(10:30) Josiah Gray had a fifth consecutive outing that was in the subpar category.  He struck out five, but walked four, and allowed another HR.  Why has his command looked so off in his past fe...

The Nats lost 8-6 to Miami as Kyle Finnegan allowed four runs in the 9th. Al starts off the show by relaying just how poorly the bullpen collectively pitched on Wednesday.  They gave up eight runs in just four frames between five different relievers. What's your trust level in Finnegan as he has three blown saves this season?

(13:03) Josh Rogers was the polar opposite of the bullpen as he had his third consecutive solid start.  ...