SportSpyder - The Latest Washington Nationals Podcasts

PODCAST PARTY FRIDAY OCTOBER 2ND

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:15:13 GMT

Tim gives a quick reminder about the end of season Podcast Party on Friday night October 2nd at Walter's Sports Bar in Navy Yard.

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I Was WRONG About The Washington Nationals Bullpen: Why It Was A DISASTER In 2026

Locked On Podcast Network — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:12:33 GMT

Washington Nationals’ bullpen collapses, shattering save records and postseason hopes. Can a new wave of arms—like Yovanny Cruz and Joe Glassey—spark a turnaround in 2027? Ryan Clary breaks down the Nationals’ disastrous relief pitching and the organizational struggle to develop late-inning talent. The conversation shifts to promising bullpen reinforcements, trade deadline moves, and the emergence of players such as Josiah Gray and Will Dion. Key topics include the impact of rookie coaching staff, player development challenges, and bold predictions for the franchise’s future. Ryan Clary also delivers a Postseason preview, forecasting a dramatic Yankees vs. Dodgers showdown, and questions if payroll powerhouses are destined to dominate October once again.

00:00 Nationals' bullpen struggles

03:51 Nationals bullpen struggles and history

12:00 Nats Bullpen Has Talent For 2027

19:33 Bullpen talent and future potential

21:00 World Series Prediction

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BREAKOUT: Why Washington Nationals' James Wood and CJ Abrams POWERED an Elite 2026 Offense

Locked On Podcast Network — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:56:49 GMT

Washington Nationals offense explodes in 2026—are they MLB’s next powerhouse? James Wood’s breakout season, combined with career-best performances from CJ Abrams, Curtis Mead, Luis Garcia Jr., and Keibert Ruiz, propels the Nationals to a top-three National League ranking in home runs, OPS, and total runs. Ryan Clary breaks down the impact of coaching, key trades, and the emergence of young talent, examining if this elite run production is sustainable heading into 2027. Clary discusses the stakes of replacing departed stars, rising expectations for Daylen Lile and Dylan Crews, and which free agent or trade moves could keep the offense among baseball’s best. Plus: why Nationals fans should root for the Atlanta Braves over the Philadelphia Phillies in the postseason—could a Philly collapse reshape the NL East? Don’t miss this sharp take on the Nationals’ offensive transformation and what’s next for D.C.'s baseball hopes.

00:00 Where I Was Right With The 2026 Nats

06:00 Nationals' offensive capabilities evaluation

07:09 Nationals improve offensive performance

15:49 Improving Nationals' Offensive Lineup

17:22 Discussing Nationals' prospects and strategy

24:02 Austin Riley's crucial home run

25:56 Discussion on Dave Dombrowski's future

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OWNERSHIP UNCERTAINTY: Washington Nationals FACE Critical Offseason, Why Ownership HAS To Go All In

Locked On Podcast Network — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:10:02 GMT

Washington Nationals ownership faces its defining test: will the Lerners finally open the checkbook and power a return to World Series contention? Ryan Clary spotlights how the future of the franchise hinges on off-field decisions, with Nationals fans demanding a renewed investment after a promising season powered by rising stars like Seaver King and a much-improved farm system. Ryan Clary analyzes the Nationals’ trajectory, weighing the impact of a looming MLB lockout on free agency, the lingering possibility of team ownership change, and whether Mark Lerner will emulate past bold moves like the Jayson Werth signing. Key topics include the transformation under Paul Toboni and Blake Butera, declining fan attendance, and lessons from teams like the Dodgers and Brewers about the necessity of spending. Can the Nationals build on their momentum, or will excuses and inaction stall a potential playoff push? Nationals fans: don’t move the goalposts—expect more.

00:00 Biggest Question Is Ownership

08:49 Discussing payroll and winning strategy

14:00 How The Lockout Impacts The Nats

17:28 Potential sale of the Nationals

18:21 Speculating on team ownership changes

25:26 Spending and winning in baseball

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HOPE: The 2026 Washington Nationals Have Reinstated HOPE For 2027 & Beyond

Locked On Podcast Network — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:15:20 GMT

Washington Nationals ignite hope for 2027 with a breakout season as CJ Abrams joins the 30-30 club and James Wood emerges as the franchise’s new cornerstone. With 77 wins, the Nationals defy preseason expectations and showcase a top-5 offense, sparking questions about just how far a solid bullpen might have taken them this year. Ryan Clary spotlights key player development, managerial moves under Blake Butera, and what Paul Toboni’s leadership means for the club’s future. The episode unpacks the Nationals’ midseason trades, Cade Cavalli’s ascension to ace status, and a heartbreaking AAA championship loss for the Rochester Red Wings fueled by Clayton Beeter’s blown save. Can the Nationals transform this momentum into a legitimate postseason push in 2027?

00:00 Nationals' season wrap-up

03:33 Nationals' bullpen issues debated

07:20 Discussing team lineup strategy

10:45 Nationals' postseason hopes debated

15:42 Hypothetical Nationals trade strategy

18:44 Nationals' offense and season recap

24:39 Red Wings' Season-Ender in AAA Championship

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Chaparro Homers Twice in Final Win

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 02:27:32 GMT

The Nats ended the season on a high note with a 6-4 win over the Mets on Sunday afternoon. Mark & Al gather after the Nationals 77th victory of the year; 11 more than in 2025.

(04:00) Mark relays the vibe in the clubhouse after game #162.

(08:00) "The focus in 2027 is winning".

(12:00) How should ownership view the 1.839M attendance this season?

(19:00) Washington stunningly ended up scoring the 3rd most runs in the sports this year.

(21:00) Andres Chaparro slugged a pair of homers in Sunday's victory. Chaparro ends his season with an impressive .894.

(24:00) CJ Abrams had a RBI triple in the season finale and cpncludes his season with 106 RBIs. Will he be traded this offseason? Anthony Rendon holds the Nationals franchise record with 126 RBIs in 2019.

(29:00) DJ Herz made his 2nd start of the week and allowed four runs in just three innings of work. Herz is expected to fight for a spot in the back-end of the rotation.

(31:00) The bullpen combined for six shutout innings and Erik Tolman closed it out. Al notes the bullpen's season-long ERA barely dropped below 5.00 after the scoreless top of the 9th.

(35:00) A discussion about Blake Butera's 1st coaching staff.

(41:00) What to expect within the organization in the next few months.

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Smooth Outing for Early in Saturday Defeat

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 03:36:54 GMT

The Nats lost 7-1 on Saturday afternoon to the visiting Mets, but it a was successful game in the larger picture. Mark & Al leadoff with the news that James Wood was voted Player of the Year by the local media ahead of CJ Abrams. Wood has fewer homers than Abrams, but does have a higher OPS.

(07:00) This game began at 12:35pm as opposed to its original 4pm start time due to impending weather. This worked out on Saturday and Sunday's game has been moved by two hours earlier and will begin at 1:05pm.

(10:00) Connelly Early made his Nationals debut on Saturday as he tossed three scoreless frames in just 34 pitches. Early was injured when Washington acquired him from Boston in late July in exchange for Curtis Mead. Early has already been slated for the 2027 starting rotation.

(16:00) Jake Irvin relieved and ate some innings, but ultimately gave up two homers and five runs. Irvin ends the season with a 5.48 ERA and it is possible that he will be non-tendered in the offseason.

(25:00) Al points a telling yet under-the-radar stat regarding the bullpen.

(29:00) James Wood had a pair of hits with exit velocities above 100 MPH. Wood has on game left to avoid not hitting a homer in the final two months of the season.

(31:00) DJ Herz will get the start in Sunday's season finale vs. the Mets.

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Gray's Save Cements the Mets in Last Place

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 06:31:58 GMT

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 prior to the game and seemed to indicate that Andrew Alvarez will have a spot in the rotation next season. Alvarez did not pitch well on Friday night as he allowed five runs in just under five innings of work. Alvarez's outing ended on a sour note as he gave up a pair of Mets homers in the top of the 5th.

(20:00) James Wood didn't homer, but he did reach base four times out of the leadoff spot. Wood's OPS is at .895 with two games remaining.

(24:00) CJ Abrams crushed a ball to deep RF, but the wind knocked it down and Abrams' lack of hustle out of the batter's box was under the spotlight as he ended up with just a single. This is similar to an instance from the season's opening series in Wrigley Field.

(29:30) Dylan Crews homered for the 13th time this season and stole two bases in the victory.

(32:00) Connelly Early will make his Nationals debut on Saturday afternoon (12:35pm start now!). He is expected to pitch a few innings before handing the ball off to Jake Irvin.

(36:00) A recap of Cavalli's press conference filled with plenty of emotion after signing his four-year extension. All of Cavalli's teammates attended to show their support for the right-hander.

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UNCERTAIN FUTURE: Washington Nationals SET to Decide on Jake Irvin, Youth Movement BUILDS

Locked On Podcast Network — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:17:49 GMT

Washington Nationals face pivotal decisions as veterans eye their possible final games in D.C. Could Jake Irvin’s upcoming start against the New York Mets mark his last as a National? Ryan Clary breaks down the shifting state of the Nationals’ rotation, spotlighting Irvin’s inconsistency, arbitration status, and the surging competition from young arms like Cade Cavalli, Andrew Alvarez, and Connelly Early. The conversation covers Alvarez’s breakout, Simon Matthews’ off-season job security, and the Rochester Red Wings’ electrifying run to the Triple-A championship—fueled by top prospects. With trade rumors swirling around CJ Abrams and intriguing free agency possibilities, every inning could reshape the Nationals’ 2027 outlook. Will D.C.’s new wave push out established names, or is there still a place for veterans? Don’t miss this hard-hitting look at the Nationals’ future and the prospects ready to seize their moment.

00:00 Jake Irvin's Final Start In DC?

06:43 Trading for Luis Perales

09:25 Jake Irvin's Tryout Weekend?

15:14 Andrew Alvarez's breakout season 2026

19:52 Connelly's bullpen debut anticipation

23:36 AAA championship excitement

26:06 Jarlin Susana pitching in championship

27:41 Rochester's AAA championship excitement

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LOCK IN LILE: Why The Washington Nationals Should Absolutely Extend OF Daylen Lile

Locked On Podcast Network — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:07:00 GMT

Washington Nationals weigh key contract extensions as young stars shape the franchise's future. Could left fielder Daylen Lile be the next cornerstone, or will top prospect Seaver King receive a pre-debut long-term deal? Ryan Clary breaks down POBO Paul Toboni’s latest comments, analyzing why Lile's growth as a clubhouse leader and Seaver King's breakout power make them prime extension targets. As the Nationals build toward another World Series run, rumors swirl that Max Scherzer—a Nationals icon and future Hall of Famer—may be retiring. Clary spotlights Scherzer’s legacy, his place among all-time MLB strikeout leaders, and the emotional farewell baseball fans may soon witness. Don’t miss this strategy-packed look at contract talks, prospect promotions, and what could be Scherzer’s final MLB appearance.

00:00 Extend Daylen Lile!

05:18 Predicting Nationals' contract extensions

07:46 Nationals considering player contracts?

13:16 Extend Seaver King?

19:09 Discussing Seaver King's potential

25:43 Max Scherzer Likely Retiring

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Nuñez Steals the Record in Afternoon Victory

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 02:06:12 GMT

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 3.1 IP. Lord struck out a trio of Tigers on 49 pitches in what seems like his best role.

(10:00) Yovanny Cruz notched the save as he recorded the final four outs. Cruz entered in an 8th inning jam and struck out Spencer Torkelson to keep the 3-run lad intact.

(18:00) YoYo Morales' 2-run homer in the top of the 6th put the Nats up 3-0. Morales has a .930 OPS in 43 at-bats this month in the majors. This leads to a discussion about his defensive options moving forward.

(23:00) CJ Abrams' RBI single put Washington the board and was his 103rd RBI of the season. Abrams got the start at 2B for the 2nd straight day in Detroit.

(27:00) Nasim Nuñez stole 2nd base to set the Nationals record and moments later swiped his 49th bag. Nuñez broke the mark set a few seasons ago by CJ Abrams.

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JD5 @ 5: Quinn on the Viral JD5 Clip, Defensive Takeaways & JD5 Injury Update

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:31:12 GMT

SLEEPING: You Sleep On Washington National Star CJ Abrams Joining ELITE Company

Locked On Podcast Network — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:03:56 GMT

Washington Nationals fans slept on CJ Abrams—and he just became one of MLB’s most electrifying power-speed threats. With 33 home runs, 30 doubles, 30-plus stolen bases, and over 100 RBIs, Abrams joins Pete Crow-Armstrong in a historic statistical club. Ryan Clary questions whether the Nationals can afford to lose such a dynamic presence and explores the front office's next move: extend their breakout star or trade him at peak value? Could the window for keeping Abrams in D.C. already be closing? Clary also spotlights Andrew Alvarez’s rise as a rotation lock for 2027, breaking down the lefty’s elite groundball rates and transformative pitch mix. Plus, the Nationals shake up their international scouting with the hiring of Brian Rogers from the Houston Astros—a move that could reshape player development and restore D.C.’s pipeline of homegrown talent.

00:00 CJ Abrams' power hitting transformation

06:36 Considering CJ's Future with the Nats

08:54 CJ Abrams' second-half performance

16:13 Andrew Alvarez's potential with better defense

20:01 Andrew Alvarez's potential in Nationals rotation

23:30 Nats Hire New International Scouting Director

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Abrams Goes Deep Twice in Detroit Win

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:46:21 GMT

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. Jack Sinclair preceded Tolman and retired all four Tigers that he faced.

(14:00) Cade Cavalli won't pitch the rest of the season after reaching the 200K mark on Friday last week. Cavalli ends the season with a 3.02 ERA in just under 170 innings pitched.

(18:00) Abrams clobbered his 32nd & 33rd homers of the season and surpassed 100 RBIs for the first time in his career. Blake Butera referred to Abrams as a superstar after the win.

(23:00) Abrams or James Wood for Nationals Player of the Year?

(27:00) Dylan Crews went 2 for 4 and stole two bases on Tuesday night. Crews' OPS is at .662 with four games remaining.

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DJ Herz's Return To The Washington Nationals Has Me DREAMING Of The 2027 Starting Rotation

Locked On Podcast Network — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:30:33 GMT

Washington Nationals’ future rotation takes shape as DJ Herz returns to the mound. Can Herz, alongside Cade Cavalli and Connelly Early, anchor a dominant pitching staff in 2027? Ryan Clary spotlights Herz’s electric arsenal and what his comeback means for Washington’s rebuild, while also addressing the immediate impact of prospect development and organizational strategy. Key topics include the critical Nationals-Tigers series and its major implications for MLB Draft lottery odds, the Rochester Red Wings’ first playoff appearance in 13 years, and how minor league success fuels a winning culture. Ryan Clary breaks down the importance of tanking for draft position, the rise of young arms like Jarlin Susana and Andrew Alvarez, and why learning how to win at Triple-A could be the final piece in the Nationals’ playoff puzzle. Will the Nationals embrace a youth movement and secure a top draft pick to accelerate their return to contention?

00:00 Future potential of DJ Herz

03:13 Connelly Early's pitch development

07:28 Developing Nationals' 2027 pitching rotation

14:41 Discussing Nationals' draft lottery chances

16:26 Pro-tank for draft advantage

24:20 Nats Prospects Learning To Win Is Crucial

27:02 Nationals farm system development

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Shaky Start for Herz in Defeat

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:47:31 GMT

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 has only made six appearances for Washington, but his ERA is at an alarming 11.45. Tim takes the opportunity to revisit the trade last December where Perales was acquired from Boston in exchange for lefty starter Jake Bennett.

(16:00) Cole Henry was released in order to make room for Herz on the roster. Henry showed flashes of success, but has not pitched well since coming off thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Henry made 11 appearances this season with the Nationals, but with a 7.90 ERA.

(20:00) YoYo Morales' 2-run pinch-hit homer was the only source of offense for Washington on Monday. Morales has a small sample size at the plate, but an OPS of .973 nonetheless.

(26:00) James Wood committed a 1st inning error in LF that put Detroit up 2-0. Wood struck out 3 times in the loss and his OPS is at .900 with five games remaining.

(30:00) AAA-Rochester, led by veteran Manager Matt LeCroy, qualified for the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

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BARGAIN: Washington Nationals SIGN Cade Cavalli, Secure Long-Term Ace With GREAT Terms

Locked On Podcast Network — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:15:42 GMT

Washington Nationals lock up ace Cade Cavalli with a team-friendly deal—could this extension signal a new era of stability and ambition in D.C.? Ryan Clary unpacks the impact of Cavalli’s breakout 3.02 ERA season, the front office’s strategy for rewarding homegrown stars, and the contract’s message to the likes of CJ Abrams, Daylen Lile, and James Wood. Is the Nationals’ young core about to get even stronger? Accountability takes center stage as first-year manager Blake Butera benches James Wood for a lack of hustle, spotlighting a major culture shift for the Nationals clubhouse. Plus, DJ Herz’s inspiring return to the starting rotation after Tommy John surgery adds fresh optimism to the pitching staff, while Connelly Early and Andrew Alvarez spark key discussions on depth and the future of the rotation.

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00:00 Cade Cavalli's new contract deal

03:10 Signing Cade Cavalli's contract extension

07:29 Nationals' positive structural changes

13:22 James Wood Benched vs STL

17:14 James Wood's leadership approach

23:18 DJ Herz Is BACK!

26:43 DJ Herz's standout 2024 performance

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Pirates! Dead Podcasters Tell No Tales

Thad Halcli Media, LLC — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:25:25 GMT

Blown Save #42

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:45:23 GMT

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 Irvin had a solid outing as he struck out eight Cardinals in just over five innings of work. Irvin might have one more start left in his season before a winter of uncertainty awaits him.

(20:00) CJ Abrams slugged his 31st homer of the season on Sunday and he now leads the team in that category. Abrams played 2B twice over the weekend series.

(23:00) James Wood struck out twice in the loss and he has not homered since July 26th.

(29:00) DJ Herz will start on Monday night in Detroit. Herz has not made a major league start since September 2024 as he has been recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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Nats Outlast the Cardinals in the 11th

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 06:14:20 GMT

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) The offense plated right runs off of dozen hits and a pair of Cardinals errors. Jorbit Vivas had a big night as he went 4 for 6 with a RBI single in extras. Vivas' OPS in his solid September is at .807.

(17:00) James Wood was removed from the game when Jacob Young took over for him in RF in the top of the 9th.

(20:00) Dylan Crews made an incredible catch against the wall and later had an outfield assist.

(25:00) Six relievers combined to allow five runs and blow the save twice along the way. Riley Cornelio took over in the 11th, but needed Will Dion to come in and notch the final out. The defense didn't help at all as four errors were committed on Saturday night.

(30:00) Returning to the conversation about James Wood's hustle as Blake Butera later admitted that he partially removed Wood for not running out an 9th inning grounder.

(33:00) Dion is the 14th pitcher to earn a save this season for the Nationals.

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Cavalli Gets an Extension and a Win on Friday

Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi, Blue Wire — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 06:45:02 GMT

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 struck out six Redbirds in five innings of work and reached 200 strikeouts in the process. He is the first Washington pitcher to record 200 strikeouts in a season since 2019.

(32:00) Josiah Gray tossed a scoreless bottom of the 9th in his first major league appearance since April 4th, 2024. Gray was called up on the off-day after pitching this past week in AAA.

(36:00) Will Gray be a starter or reliever next season? Or could he be non-tendered?

(41:00) CJ Abrams stole his 30th base of the season and Dylan Crews clubbed a 2-run HR to put the Nationals up 5-0 in the top of the 3rd.

(47:00) Tim recently caught up with reliever Richard Lovelady, who describes what an off-season at Driveline looks like in Arizona.

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Hour 2: Burgundy and Bold, Happy Birthday Rooster, X-Factors + DDOD

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 22:19:00 GMT

Cade Cavalli Extension Nears Deal: Nationals Finally Commit to Their Ace | Nats MinuteCast

MinuteCast Media — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:25:00 GMT

Cade Cavalli and the Nationals are reportedly nearing a long-term contract extension, potentially marking a major turning point in the franchise’s rebuild. After battling back from Tommy John surgery, Cavalli has emerged as one of the Nationals’ most reliable starters in 2026.
The deal could signal a new approach for the Nationals: developing young talent and then actually keeping it. We break down Cavalli’s breakout season, the significance of the reported extension, and what it could mean for the Nationals’ next competitive window.

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BREAKTHROUGH: Washington Nationals Lock Up ACE Cade Cavalli For The Long Term FINALLY!

Locked On Podcast Network — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:46:58 GMT

Washington Nationals secure their future by reportedly locking up ace Cade Cavalli with a long-term extension—the smartest move this front office has made in years. Is this a turning point for the franchise’s rebuild and payroll strategy? Host Ryan Clary breaks down Cavalli’s breakout season, eye-popping second-half stats, and why locking up homegrown talent like Daylen Lile should be the next priority. The conversation explores the Nationals’ shifting approach as key contracts leave the books, the potential impact on future free agency, and how Josiah Gray’s inspiring return from Tommy John surgery reshapes pitching depth. Can Washington now build the foundation for a new era of competitiveness in the NL East?

00:00 Nats Reportedly Extend Cade Cavalli

06:49 Cade Cavalli's impressive second half

12:24 Daylen Lile's Impact on Nationals

22:46 Josiah Gray's Return Potential

26:04 Josiah Gray's pitching strategy

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Follow Locked On Nationals on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LO_Nationals

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Washington Nationals Secure Their 7TH STRAIGHT LOSING SEASON... But This Time There's Hope?!

Locked On Podcast Network — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:59:32 GMT

Washington Nationals lock in their seventh straight losing season—yet optimism surges as young talent emerges and the front office finally sets a new foundation. Can fans finally start believing in a turnaround for 2027 and beyond? Ryan Clary spotlights the Nationals’ improving farm system, the impact of the front office’s strategic shift, and the potential game-changing debuts of prospects like Jarlin Susana and Connelly Early. Analysis includes how Seaver King’s development could reshape the infield, the looming salary cap debate in Major League Baseball, and whether Washington can emulate successful smaller-market clubs like the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers. The countdown to Connelly Early’s Nationals debut against the New York Mets raises the question: Are the Nats ready to turn the corner and climb out of the NL East basement?

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