Nats Chat

The Nats were crushed 13-6 on Friday afternoon for Opening Day at Nationals Park. Mark & Al focus on starter Miles Mikolas, who gave up a staggering 11 runs in just over four innings of work. Mikolas has allowed 17 runs in just two starts this season and there are already questions about how long he will remain in Washington. (20:30) Recap of the bullpen's so-so game. (23:20) CJ Abrams launched a 3-run HR in the 1st inning to briefly put the Nats up 3-0 on LA. (28:25) Blake Butera was very complimentary of the 41K+ crowd after his first home game as Skipper. (31:00) Our first fan submitted shoutout of the season. If you want one, please email [email protected]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats had a gut punch extra-inning loss on Wednesday afternoon. Mark (From Philadelphia) & Al react to the 6-5 defeat where the Nationals blew a 5-1 late inning lead. (05:00) The bullpen did not get it done as four relievers gave up a run. Cole Henry took the loss after giving up a RBI leadoff single in the bottom of the 10th. (09:45) Could Brad Lord have taken the mound late in the game? (12:40) CJ Abrams launched a 3-run HR to put Washington up 5-1 for his first of the season. (13:30) Dissection of Daylen Lile getting thrown out on the bases in each of the final two innings. (18:00) Cade Cavalli had a much better outing than Opening Day as he only allowed one run in six frames. (22:05) Friday is the Nats home opener against the two-time defending World Series Champion Dodgers. Who will get the nod on the mound and what will the attendance be? (30:30) Tim is joined by Robert K. Fitts, award winning author, who has extensively written about Baseball in Japan. Robert talks about just how big Shohei Ohtani actually is in his native country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats lost 3-2 in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, but still are a game above .500. Mark (From Philly) & Al look react to James Wood's up and down start thus far, where he has contributed offensively, but also is tied for the MLB strikeout lead. Wood came through with a RBI double in the loss, but also had a pair of K's. (13:40) Daylen Lile has carried over his impressive September into the beginning of this season. Lile has been mostly been hitting cleanup and came through with a RBI single on Tuesday evening. (17:00) Washington used an "Opener" to perfection as lefty reliever PJ Poulin set down the Phillies top of the lineup in order. Zack Littell then entered the game and took the loss while giving up six hits in five innings of work. (23:20) An evaluation of the starting rotation after the first time through all five guys. (25:50) "ABS" (Automated Ball-Strike System) is here and has already made its presence felt across the sport. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats extended their strong start with a 13-2 victory in Philadelphia on Monday night. Mark (From Citizens Bank Park) & Al note how this is the first time that the franchise has been two games over .500 since.... the summer of 2021! (06:00) Joey Wiemer's streak of reaching base made it to ten consecutive plate appearances. Wiemer had two hits in the victory, part of the 17 hits that the offense collected. (08:40) The Nationals properly pulled off the steal attempt in order to bring the runner home from 3rd (!) (14:20) Seven Washington starters had multiple hits and Luis Garcia Jr. led the way with a trio of them. (17:45) Foster Griffin impressed in his team debut on Monday night. Griffin allowed a pair of runs in five innings of work to earn the win. The lefty spent the past few seasons in Japan after many different MLB stops to start his career. (21:30) Brad Lord tossed three frames in the win and is establishing himself as potential force out of the 'pen. (25:15) Mark's prediction was correct and the Nats will utilize an "Opener" on Tuesday night. PJ Poulin will start the game and it is possible that he will hand the ball off to Zack Littell. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats beat the Cubs 6-3 on Sunday afternoon to take the series in Chicago. Mark (From Wrigley Field) & Al have a lot of praise for Joey Wiemer, who is having a dream start to the season. Wiemer has homered in both games he has played so far and has reached base in all eight plate appearances. Wiemer bounced around a bit th roster transactions this offseason, but ultimately Washington claimed him off of waivers in early January. (07:00) CJ Abrams was back in the lineup on Sunday after missing the previous game due a death in the family. (12:05) This is the first series victory to to start the season since.... 2018! (16:10) Keibert Ruiz showed rare power with a 2-run HR in the 8th for his first homer since the opening weekend of last season. (18:20) Jake Irvin earned the victory in his season debut by lasting five innings. Irvin struck out seven Cubs and only issued one walk on Sunday afternoon. (22:40) Clayton Beeter, notched the save after Cionel Perez pitched the 8th. Are these sort of decisions made by the Front Office prior to the game? (28:30) The Nats move their road to Philadelphia for a three game series with Foster Griffin take the mound on Monday. Tuesday's starter is still TBD, will it be Zach Littell? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats were trounced 10-2 on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field for their first loss of the season. Mark (From Chicago) & Al discuss a sloppy affair for the visitors. One of the runs came courtesy of James Wood, after connecting on his first homer of the season, while hitting in the leadoff spot. (10:15) Drew Millas was a very surprising choice to bat 2nd in the lineup. It is expected that Millas and Ruiz will split catching duties to begin the year. (14:00) Nasim Nunez made an incredible defensive play at SS late in the game. Nunez got the nod due to a recent death in CJ Abrams' family and came through with a RBI single at the plate. Abrams also apologized to Blake Butera for the mental lapse on Opening Day. (20:45) Miles Mikolas lasted five innings in his Nats debut, but allowed allowed six hits and four earned runs in the process. Mikolas was plagued with poor defense behind him in the pivotal bottom of the 2nd. (29:05) The bullpen yielded four runs, but Cole Henry did retire the heart of the Cubs order in the bottom of the 8th. (31:00) Washington acquired utility man Curtis Mead, who has previous big league experience. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats began their season in style with a 10-4 road victory over the Cubs on a chilly Thursday afternoon. Mark (From Wrigley Field) & Al discuss the strong start for the offense, as a trio of Nationals went deep. Joey Wiemer got things going with a solo shot in the 2nd while getting the nod in RF. The other homers came courtesy of Jacob Young and Brady House in the 9th for some welcomed insurance. (12:00) The first lineup card under Blake Butera had a few surprises, including Andres Chpparo hitting 2nd. (16:30) The bullpen had a busy and effective afternoon as four pitchers combined for just over five innings of work. Brad Lord earned the win as the versatile pitcher is beginning this season in relief. Veteran lefty Cionel Perez notched the save in his first appearance with Washington. (22:05) Cade Cavalli's Opening Day start only lasted into the bottom of the 4th, but he did record five strikeouts along the way. Cavalli tossed 75 pitches before handing it off the P.J. Poulin. (25:40) CJ Abrams had a 2-run single in the 4th, but it also included a mental mistake. Abrams admired his long hit, but it did not go over the fence and it resulted in him getting thrown at 2nd base. (31:00) Update on Josiah Gray's latest trip to the 60-day IL. (35:30) Miles Mikolas will start on Saturday and Jake Irvin will take the mound in Chicago on Sunday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Al & Mark convene just a few days before the Nationals open the season at Wrigley Field on Thursday afternoon. There has been a flurry of roster activity in the past few days as Spring Training is finished and the Paul Toboni Era is underway. (04:45) Josiah Gray was surprisingly placed on the 60- Day IL on Monday evening (Right flexor strain). Gray has not pitched for the Nats since April 2024 due to injury. (14:35) Why was Dylan Crews demoted to AAA? Crews was sent down on Friday afternoon to the surprise of many. (28:30) Harry Ford, acquired from Seattle in exchange for Jose A. Ferrer, will also start his season in Rochester. A few months ago it was widely expected hat Ford would be starting catcher for the Nats on Opening Day. (31:45) Robert Hassell III, who saw time in the majors last season, also will begin the year in AAA. (35:10) Season predictions and potential areas of optimism. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Quick update by Tim Shovers regarding Friday afternoon's news that Dylan Crews will not be on the Nationals Opening Day roster. **Audio Courtesy of natsjournal.com** Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Opening Day is just one week away and the roster is starting to come into focus. Mark (From West Palm) & Al dive into what players are expected to head north with the Big League team as Spring Training is wrapping up soon. Many positions still have question marks and catcher is atop the list. (05:45) Zack Littell is on track to start the Nats 2nd game of the season in Chicago despite not having signed with the team until March. (08:00) Where does Jake Irvin fit into the starting rotation as he has impressed this exhibition season on the mound? (12:05) There are a lot of off days in the first month of the season; mixed with th impending return of Josiah Gray. How many starters will Blake Butera begin the year with in the rotation? (18:10) Brady House is tearing it up at Spring Training as he prepares for his first full season at 3B in D.C. (20:35) Dylan Crews is struggling at the plate this Grapefruit League season. The hosts address the online conversation about how it might be best for Crews to begin 2026 with Rochester instead of Washington. (30:35) Update on Jacob Young as he has been dealing with a wrist contusion. (32:00) The defense is off to a poor start; will this be indicative of another rough season in the field for the Nats? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It is a busy time in Baseball as Spring Training continues alongside the popularity of the World Baseball Classic. Team USA is onto the quarterfinals amid very strong TV ratings. (04:30) The Nats just signed veteran starter Zack Littell, who surprisingly was available into March. The 30-year-old has a 3.88 career ERA and will immediately fit into the starting rotation, which has more experience than previously expected. Washington also inked Foster Griffin and Miles Mikolas after camp began in Florida. (15:00) Will Jake Irvin be in the rotation? (18:15) Cade Cavalli this week was given the ball for Opening Day on March 26th at Wrigley Field. Cavalli missed mutiple seasons due to injury, but made ten starts to close out 2025. (24:15) What is Josiah Gray's timeline? He hasn't pitched in the majors since April 2024. (29:25) The Nationals have a new TV situation for this season and we help explain the steps to get all set as a viewer (best we can). (43:40) A heartfelt goodbye to the "Secret Weapon" AKA Paolo Espino, who took the mound for the final time this month for Team Panama in the WBC. Espino will always be part of Nats Chat lore due to his performance in the 2021 season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats will be in Wrigley Field in under three weeks, but before then the sport is focused on Spring Training & the World Baseball Classic. Al & Mark begin with looking at how the new Front Office has made its impact on the club while down in Florida thus far. (09:00) Jacob Young is dealing with a wrist contusion and has been out of the lineup for an extended time. (22:20) Harry Ford, the catcher who the Nationals acquired from Seattle in exchange for Jose A. Ferrer, is playing for Great Britain in the WBC. Ford is expected to play a lot in Washington this season, but will any highly rated prospect join him in the Bigs? (34:30) Initial thoughts on Foster Griffin, who will likely be in the starting rotation. **Audio courtesy of 106.7 The Fan Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nats have had a strong start to exhibition play in Florida; for whatever that is worth. Mark & Al begin with James Wood seeing a lot of action in RF so far this Spring Training. Wood has a lot of CF experience in the minors and LF duty in the majors, but has not found a permanent spot in the outfield. There is also conjecture that Wood could switch to 1B within the next few seasons. (14:30) Brady House homered twice in the Spring Training opener vs. Miami. House struggled mightily in his rookie season at the plate, but this will be his first Opening Day in the Big Leagues at 3B. (21:40) The annual February focus on improved base running. (26:25) The Nationals did not seem to sign a collection of veterans that could be flipped at the Trade Deadline unlike previous seasons. (35:10) Is there another signing on its way or only if there is an injury? (37:30) Mark relayed questions to Manager Blake Butera that were contributed from subscribers at natsjournal.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grapefruit League play is just days away. Mark (From West Palm) & Al open with Dylan Crews, who is looking to bounce back after an injury filled rookie season. Crews showed signs of power last year with 10 homers, but his average was barely over the "Mendoza Line". (10:10) Blake Butera was singing the praises of CJ Abrams and expects him to return to All-Star form. The hosts also dive into the notion of him not returning to the trade market until this summer despite many expecting Abramsto be dealt at the same time as MacKenzie Gore. (19:00) The new manager made mention that Cade Cavalli has been standing out so far this spring. Cavalli returned to the Washington mound last August for the first time in three years due to injuries and made ten starts in the process. (27:40) Catching up on recent additions to the bullpen on minor league deals. (34:45) What is Luis Garcia Jr.'s primary position? Is it 2B or 1B? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"Pitchers & Catchers" (and a lot more) have reported to West Palm Beach to begin the 2026 Nationals campaign. Mark (Live from Florida) & Al discuss the initial impressions of a camp run by Paul Toboni & Blake Butera. Hear what the reaction has been to the upgrade in technology and infrastructure behind the scenes.(14:00) Washington signed veteran starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to a one-year deal around $2M. Mikolas has not had a ERA below 4.00 since 2022, but consistently starts over 30 games a year.(18:30) An early look at the potential starting rotation and if Cade Cavalli will take the mound on Opening Day.(22:40) Almost all position players have already reported to Florida, including James Wood.(31:15) This is a critical season for Dylan Crews, who is aiming to take on a larger leadership role in the clubhouse.(34:00) Updates on Travis Sykora & Jarlin Susana, who are out for the season, but are participating in Big League Camp. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.