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 starting 3B and came through with his first career single and flashed the leather too. Lipscomb is the first prospect from the next wave to join the Big League team and was called up after Nick Senzel's Opening Day injury.

(16:00) Jesse Winker had a productive Saturday as the #3 hitter, coming through with a pair of hits, a run scored, and an outfield assist to throw out a runner at the plate.

(23:20) Patrick Corbin lasted 4.1 IP in allowing 4 runs and 7 hits in the final season of his long term contract. His outing began with 3 scoreless outings before the Reds offense awoke.

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 position and zero walks were drawn. The only source of offense came from Eddie Rosario who hit a 2 run HR while starting in CF.

(23:00) It didn't take long for our first "TOOTBLAN" on the season as it came in the top of the 1st.

(29:10) Stephen Strasburg was officially placed on the 60-day IL on Thursday. Any update on a potential resolution?

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 will include Trevor Williams and not Zach Davies. Why is Jackson Rutledge beginning his season in Triple A Rochester?

(19:00) Bullpen Roll Call. Mark explains how competitive spots were for relievers this Spring. As of now, Robert Garcia is the only lefty on the roster.

(22:00) An evaluation of where the Rebuild stands.

(29:00) Davey Martinez is entering his his 7th season at the helm for the Nats. What sort of pressure is there on Davey for this season or none at all? He signed a two year extension in August that runs through the 2025 season.

(34:15) Al poses the question - who most needs to show improvement this season?

(38:30 Both hosts give their official season prediction for the 2024 Washington Nationals.

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 a defensive perspective. Eddie Rosario was recently signed to play left field and now Joey Gallo is the primary plan at 1st Why Gallo over Meneses at that spot?

(25:25) Mark runs through why he thinks there might be a defensive regression this season in the infield. Nick Senzel is expected to begin the season at third, but the long term answer at the hot corner remains in flux.

(29:00) Davey publicly scolded Luis Garcia Jr. for a base running miscue, is it indicative of how many chances he's running out of in D.C.?

(32:00) "Robo Umps" has been experimented with in Spring Training and is referred to as the ABS (Automated Balls and Strike System). This has been used recently in minor league games so many of the younger players are familiar with it. Will this be instituted at the Major League level?

(38:00) It is unclear if final cuts will be made before or after the team flies north from Florida. The final Grapefruit League game is Sunday and then on Tuesday in D.C. will be the inaugural futures game featuring prospects at 12:05pm.

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 whether or not to put a highly regarded prospect on the Opening Day roster.

(14:45) A look at the starting rotation and who stacks up where in the pecking order.

(25:35) There have been rave reviews for Sean Doolittle in his new role as pitching strategist, a position he was hired for in mid January. Hear a brief explanation of what his duties entail.

(30:00) Then we turn our focus to what the bullpen looks like this year. Unfortunately there will not be Mason Thompson in 2024 as he will undergo Tommy Johnson surgery.

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 over the offseason. Listen as to why February 24th is a particularly noteworthy day on the Nationals calendar.(25:00) It was a very quiet Winter for the franchise but a few weeks ago did sign Joey Gallo to a minor league deal. Gallo had quite the unique stat line last season as he had more homers than singles. Yes, Al is already talking flipping him at the Trade Deadline.(33:00) There are high profile Free Agents still on the markets that include Cody Bellinger and Blake Snell. Any chance Washington could sign one of them to a 1 year deal?(42:00) A discussion on how the Orioles sale could affect the Nats?

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 over the offseason. Listen as to why February 24th is a particularly noteworthy day on the Nationals calendar.(25:00) It was a very quiet Winter for the franchise but a few weeks ago did sign Joey Gallo to a minor league deal. Gallo had quite the unique stat line last season as he had more homers than singles. Yes, Al is already talking flipping him at the Trade Deadline.(33:00) There are high profile Free Agents still on the markets that include Cody Bellinger and Blake Snell. Any chance Washington could sign one of them to a 1 year deal?(42:00) A discussion on how the Orioles sale could affect the Nats?