The Raschcast: Recent Episodes
The Raschcast
A 6 game losing streak means we've reached the end of the interesting portion of the Nats season. We talk about the Trade Deadline and what it says about the Nats' organizational philosophy and what it says about their evaluation of their talent and their window with Jesse Dougherty of NOTUS.
We analyze the Nats' first big trade deadline move and how it fits into their larger plans for 2026, 2027, and beyond. Also, more bullpen exasperation, plus some appreciation for the fact that it's July 26th and the Nats are playing meaningful baseball.
The Nats have been treading water for a month now, leaving them exactly where they've been -- around .500 and on the fringes of contention. Where does that leave them as the trade deadline approaches? In a fascinating position.
On June 14th, the Nationals were two games over .500. On July 1st, they're still two games over .500. How they got there was anything but boring. We talk bullpen woes, big production from Luis Garcia, and whether we have any clarity on trade deadline plans.
The Nationals took one in the chin on Wednesday. They lost badly Friday. Then, they bounced back. They're two games over and a game out of a playoff spot. It's fun! And James Wood is very, very good.
The Nats went 6-3 against three of baseball's elite teams. They're over .500. They've got a positive run differential. We got a little ahead of ourselves and imagined the possibility of meaningful baseball in DC this year.
We're a third of the way through the season, and the Nats have scored the most runs in baseball, allowed the most runs in baseball, and somehow find themselves at the waypoint of mediocrity that is .500. We talk about the promising start, the promising developments in the farm system, and what it all means going forward.
The Nats finish April 15-17 after a 4-2 road trip. They've scored the second-most runs in baseball. They're playing interesting baseball! That's good. Plus, we laugh at the Mets, who are playing some pretty terrible baseball
Did you know that you can actually coach baseball players and teach them to get better? It seems like it might be true. It might be time to lock Davey Martinez and Darnell Coles in jail.
The WBC was absolutely electric, and a testament to the joy baseball can bring. Opening Day is on the horizon, and hope springs eternal. Baseball is having a moment. The Washington Nationals, unfortunately, suck and are boring. So we mostly talked about the WBC and the 29 other teams in baseball.
The Washington Nationals accepted what everyone knew today - that their first rebuild was a total failure. Oh well, on to Rebuild Number 2! We mourn a lost decade of baseball and also read off the names of some prospects we don't recognize.
The Toboni administration has made its first big hires, and frankly it's never been a better time to be a white guy in his 30s. We talk about Blake Butera, the player development monster, and what deck chairs we can expect to see rearranged this offseason. Plus: are the Dodgers bad for baseball? No!
The season nears its merciful conclusion. We wrap up everything that went wrong (most things) and everything that went right (like one thing). Plus, the Nats just hired a new GM (or POBO)! He seems like a nice young man.
Strongman and self-appointed "President (of baseball operations) for Life" Michael Anthony Rizzo, as well as his hand-picked underling Dave Martinez, have been deposed in a bloodless coup following a month of unrest which made it clear that his regime could not meet the needs of the people. But who will fill the vacuum he leaves behind, and will this finally mean real change for the denizens of Natstown?
The Washington Nationals have been playing competent baseball lately! Has that changed our mood about this team? Nope! Listen to hear us talk about the scenic detours on the road to nowhere.
The Nats have played some fun, interesting ballgames! We come not to mourn what could have been, but to appreciate what is.
Can the Nats ever compete with the Mets, Phillies, and Braves? Not if they don't try. We take a look through the disappointing offseason and ask the question: are the Washington Nationals becoming the Pittsburgh Pirates?
The Raschcast's 2024 offseason preview episode, featuring what we think should happen (Juan Soto) and what we think will happen (something less exciting).
The Nats called up Dylan Crews ahead of a series with Juan Soto and the Yankees, and he hit his first career home run as the Nats won 2 of 3. We evaluate the season and talk about the many roads the Nats could go down as they enter the most important offseason in team history.
Just after the all star break, the Nats have fallen out of contention like one might fall out of a coconut tree. With the callup of top prospect James Wood and the Trade Deadline approaching, it's time to talk about what can be for this franchise, unburdened by what has been.
The Nats sweep the Marlins to get to 35-36, a game out of .500 and in a virtual tie for the third NL wild card spot. We talk DJ Herz, Mitchell Parker, and how seriously the team should take their playoff chances.
A third of the way through their season, the Washington Nationals are still playing some semi-competent ball! We talk about the pitching staff's huge improvements, and how the offensive black holes present major opportunities for next year.
The Nats are somehow .500 and at least a little bit interesting, so we're here to talk about them!
The Raschcast 2022 Season Preview is here! We talk about the Nats' lost offseason, and make picks for the division winners, awards winners, and World Series winners.
The Raschcast, America's Favorite Podcast (in the category of sporadic fan podcasts about the Washington Nationals) is back! We talk about the CBA, the addition of Nelson Cruz, and some additional moves the Nats might make to speed up their rebuild.
In this very somber Raschcast, we talk about the Nationals saddest trade deadline ever, trading away Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Daniel Hudson, and others to various teams all over the league. We have noted prospect lover Andrew Flax on to discuss the Nationals prospect haul and who is new Favorite Son™ is, as well as what to expect from this new era of Nationals baseball.
Another good week in Nationals baseball. The Nats go 4-2, sweeping the Phillies before splitting a 4 game set against the Marlins. We talk Joe Ross, the Nats offense, and get into a deep dive over baseball's enforcement of their new illegal substance rule.
The Raschcast returns from its indefinite hiatus because the Nats had a homestand worth talking about. Are they a good team? Who knows. But they might be an interesting team. Also, Gerardo Parra returns.
Nationals take the series from Arizona 2-1. After Friday's offensive onslaught, the Nationals offense fell back into their old ways before snapping out of it in the 8th inning Sunday. We talk about Fedde vs Ross, if Brad Hand should keep closing, and look ahead to the 4 game set vs the Cubs.
A week that started with promise, as the Nationals sat in first place and got Juan Soto back, ended in disappointment. The Nats dropped 5 of 6 and fell from first to last, 3.5 games back. With the team moving close to full health but still struggling (especially on offense), it might be time for them to consider making some changes to paper over their major holes.
The Nats wrapped up a 4-1 week with a sweep of the Marlins at home, punctuated by a Max Scherzer complete game. They're now 12-12, tied for first place in a surprisingly weak NL East. With Soto coming back and a comparatively weak May schedule, now might be a good time for the team to start a run.
The Nats lost the weekend set against the Mets, going 1-2 over the weekend. We talk about Jacob deGrom's excellence, the Nats starting pitching successes and their woeful offense. Plus, we look ahead to the 2 game set against the Blue Jays.
In a series in which Joe Ross completely imploded and Juan Soto went on the IL, the Nationals managed to win the series with the Cardinals 2-1. We talk about Max Scherzer's great performance, Patrick Corbin's bounce-back start, and preview the Nats upcoming weekend series in Flushing.
The Nats split the 4 game set with the DBacks. We talk about the Good (Erick Fedde, Max Scherzer) and the Bad (Stephen Strasburg injury, Patrick Corbin and Josh Bell being bad). Plus, is it miserable to be a Yankee fan with a constant expectation of winning?
The Nats won their first series of the year, with their finally-complete lineup producing and some strong pitching from Joe Ross and (shockingly) Erick Fedde. But Stephen Strasburg took a major step back, stoking injury concerns. Plus, a long discussion about Juan Soto and what constitutes talent.
The depleted Nats got swept on the road by the depleted Dodgers, and now head to St. Louis with a 1-5 record and the possibility of getting their full lineup back from the COVID IL.
After missing Opening Weekend due to COVID, the Nats finally played their first series of the year, losing 2 games to 3 to the Atlanta Braves. We breakdown the performances by Scherzer and Strasburg, Robles' impressive leadoff duties, and preview the weekend series verses the Dodgers.
The 2021 season is here, and we're here to preview it! In this episode, we talk about the Carter Kieboom situation, best and worst-case scenarios for the Nats, and predictions from around the league.
We're halfway through Spring Training, so we've decided to do a Spring Training update. Where do the Nats stand with their rotation, 26th man competition, and 3B predicament?
This week, we are joined by Washington Post's very own Jesse Dougherty. We talk about the new COVID protocols that are in place in Spring Training, the future of reporting access, as well as go over our Top 5 Spring Training Storylines ahead of the Nationals first spring game.
With the offseason winding down, we look back at the Nats moves and how they compare with the rest of the NL East. Plus, we talk about the Trevor Bauer signing and if it makes the Dodgers that much better.
The Nationals had a very busy week, signing Brad Hand, Jon Lester, and bringing back old favorite Ryan Zimmerman. We break down all of those signings and the MASN news.
We talk about the Nats trade for Josh Bell, the state of the MLB season, and Howie Kendrick's legacy.
We preview the tomorrow's Winter Meetings, talk slow offseason, and Philly's possible plan to blow everything up.
We are once again joined by Andrew Flax as we discuss what the Nats offseason might look like.
We're back! We talk about the plague season, the Dodgers (finally) winning the World Series and then immediately cause a super spreader event, and the state of the free agent market.
This week's topics: baseball is back, with a last-minute playoff expansion, a bunch of COVID-positive players, and sloppy, injury-riddled play. God, how we've missed it.
This weeks episode - Baseball is finally back! We look forward at the upcoming 60 game 2020 season, talk about the Nats strengths and weaknesses, predict division and wild card winners, and hypothesize weird records this season.
We discuss baseball's return plan amid a global pandemic and our feelings on the new season.
The Raschcast is Back with all of your favorites! We did another Nationals trivia episode with James O'Hara and Andrew Flax.
This week's topics: another round of Astros talk, as Spring Training starts and players start voicing their opinions.
This weeks topics: What to make of the recent Wall Street Journal article about the Astros? Also, are the Red Sox really going to trade Mookie Betts for scraps? We discuss.
With the baseball offseason in a lull and Spring Training still two weeks away, we kill time by playing Nats Trivia.
This week's topics: the Nationals have executed the finishing touches on Plan D, adding Eric Thames and Daniel Hudson to complete their bullpen and bench rebuild. We evaluate the roster, which seems to be nearly complete.
This weeks topics: The Nationals have an active week, signing Will Harris, Starlin Castro, and Asdrubal Cabrera. How does the Harris signing effect the Nationals bullpen, and what do the Castro and Cabrera signings mean for the Nats and Josh Donaldson?
This episodes topics: As the first full decade of Nationals history comes to a close, we take a look back at the best decade in DC baseball history.
This episodes topics: After a wild Winter Meetings, we talk about the Nationals losing Anthony Rendon to the Angels and where that puts the Nats. As well, we discuss the Gerrit Cole deal.
This episodes topic: The Nationals made an early splash at the Winter Meetings, re-signing World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg to a 7 year, $245 million deal. We discuss the signing and what this means for the Nats moving forward.
This weeks topics: With the Winter Meeting this week, we look ahead at what could happen this week with the Nationals. Plus, the Nats brought back World Series Hero Howie Kendrick! Hooray!
This episodes topics: Yan Gomes re-signs with the Nationals. Other things happen. We talk about that. Plus, with the non-tender deadline approaching, we talk about which Nationals are likely to be non-tendered.
This weeks topics: We talk about the Astros cheating and what kind of punishment they may receive. We also talk about the Braves signing Will Smith.
This episodes topics: We talked with Andrew Flax, formerly of The Nats Blog, about this Nats big upcoming offseason. Then, we predict where the top 20 free agents will land.
This episode's topics: We recap a thrilling World Series Game 6 and look ahead at the most exciting thing in sports, a Game 7 of the World Series.
This episodes topics: We talk about the Nats woeful performance at home against the Astros and how disappointing it was. But, despite that, the series isn't over, and we looked ahead at a potential Game 6 and what Max Scherzer's injury means for this team going forward.
The Washington Nationals have a two games to none lead in the World Series. We talk about that. We're kind of excited about it.
This episode's topics: The Nats steal Game 1 from Gerrit Cole and the Astros. We break down the exciting victory and look at the amazing Juan Soto.
This episodes topics: We finally know who the Nats are playing in the World Series - the Houston Astros. We preview The Battle of FITTEAM Ballpark, and break down the Astros many strengths and few weaknesses.
This Weeks Topics: The Nats Win the Pennant! We look back at the utter domination of the Cardinals. Then, we talk about what this win truly means for Nats fans. Finally, we look forward to the World Series and the Nats possible matchups.
On this episode: We break down the Nats first 2 wins of the NLCS on the road verses St. Louis. Then, Japer's Rink's Greg Young compares this Nationals team to the 2018 Stanley Cup winning Capitals team.
The Nationals earned a split in Los Angeles and now the NLDS heads home to Washington tied a game a piece. We recap the first two games in LA.
This weeks topics: We break down the Nationals first ever win in a win or go home game and what it means for this franchise. Then, we look ahead to the NLDS and the Dodgers, and look at how the Nats stack up against them.
This week's topics: the Nationals finish the season on an 8 game win streak to end at 93-69 and secure the first Wild Card spot and a home playoff game this Tuesday. We talk about the season in review and preview that game and the playoffs in general.
This weeks topics: The Nationals go 3-3, but are still able to gain 2.5 games on the Cubs. We talk about the Cubs disastrous and what it means for them going forward. Then, we look forward to how the Nationals match up in the postseason with their terrible bullpen.
This weeks topics: After a 3-3 week, we reassess, once again, the Nationals playoff standing and look at the potential Wild Card foes coming from the NL Central. We also discuss the potential Wild Card Game bullpen and starter.
This weeks topics: After a poor 2-5 week, we reassess where the Nationals stand heading into the last 20 games of the season. Then, we talk about the Nationals second base situation. And, we look at the Diamondbacks and their recent hot stretch.
This weeks topics - We talk about the return of Ryan Zimmerman and what that could mean going forward. As well, we look at the MVP and Cy Young races and where Nats players fit in to all of it.
This weeks topics: We sit down with WTOP's Noah Frank to assess Davey Martinez's managing as the Nats continue to win. As well, we talk about the rise of home runs in 2019 and how much it is a problem.
This week's topics: the Nats go 5-1 on a homestand against the Reds and Brewers, but the one loss is costly; Sean Doolittle blows another lead, forcing the Nats to send him to the IL after a month-long bout with ineffectiveness. Plus, we discuss Anthony Rendon's free agency and Stephen Strasburg's opt-out.
This weeks topics: We debate the merits of the rise of position players pitching. Plus, the new rules regarding August trades. And, we release the new name of this podcast!
This weeks topics: The trade deadline has come and gone - how did the Nationals do? Plus, we look at some of the other trades from a wild 24 hours. And, with the Nats losing 2 of 3 to the Braves, do they still have a shot at the division?
This weeks topics: The Nats have a lackluster week, going 3-3 against the Braves and the O's. We talk about what another injury to Ryan Zimmerman might mean, and Davey Martinez's continual mismanagement of the bullpen. As well, we discuss baseball's most intriguing team heading into the trade deadline, the San Fransisco Giants, and what they should do.
This weeks topics: The Nats open up their most important stretch of the season going 2-1 against the division rival Phillies. How does this impact them going forward? Plus, we break down the Nats options at the trade deadline.
This weeks topics: We recap the first half of the Nats season. What went well, what didn't, and what to look forward to in the second half. Plus, we talk about our biggest surprises from the first half of the season.
This weeks topics: Max Scherzer was great, as usual. We discuss his greatness. Plus, we talk about who were the biggest snubs from this years All-Star game. And, with 2 games this weekend in London, we hypothesize where the MLB will go next?
This week’s topics: ESPN’s Jeff Passan joins us for an extended discussion on baseball, labor relations, and the fan experience. Plus, we talk about the Nats doing just enough to keep things interesting for the rest of the season.
This weeks topics: A critical week for the Nationals as the Phillies and Braves come to town, with the Nationals needing a better performance from Patrick Corbin going forward. Plus, the causes and aesthetics of dingerball, and the return of the soft-tossers.
This week topics: The Nats actually played... well for a week? 20 year old Juan Soto is playing like a teenager again! With the offense finally clicking, it's time to ask: where would this team be without its bullpen weighing it down? Plus, with the Nats signing bullpen reinforcements in Venters and Rodney, it's time to talk about Craig Kimbrel again.
This weeks topics: The Nats got swept by the Mets! The Mets! But Davey still has a job! Why? We talk about that, and ask whether the core of this team is beyond repair. Plus, we check in with the Braves before the Nats see them for the first time.
This week's topics: the Nats win a couple games this week but still had some horrific moments, and two months in that kind of uneven play might just be who they are. Plus, we talk about Stephen Strasburg's opt out and the Yankees' success through injury.
This week's topics: with the Nats on a 98-loss pace, Davey Martinez's firing seems inevitable. Who should take over when he goes? And what was the right way to handle Victor Robles going full Nook Logan? Plus, we talk about the Twins, Jacob's new favorite team.
This weeks topics: the Nats may have pulled out a thrilling win last night, but with injuries mounting, they're still in trouble. After firing the pitching coach, could the manager and GM be next? Plus, is CC Sabathia a Hall of Famer? And: Jake and Jon's Pet Players.
Today’s topics: the Nats fail to take advantage of a soft schedule and an underperforming division as they fall to 3 games under .500. Plus, we talk about Carter Kieboom’s debut.
This week’s topics: the Nats muddle through a 3-3 week against some bad teams, and Davey Martinez put his managerial flaws on full display. Plus, we talk about Juan Soto’s approach and the struggles of bullpens around baseball.
This week’s topics: we talk about the Nats’ offensive prowess and pitching problems in the late innings, as well as the re-emergence of Howie Kendrick and the Nats’ lackluster defense. Plus, we ask which first place teams are for real and which are too good to be true.
This week’s topics: the Nats manage a 3-2 week despite near-daily meltdowns from the bullpen. We talk about Trevor Rosenthal’s yips, Anthony Rendon’s hot start, and Victor Robles hitting 9th. Plus, a discussion of the Unwritten Rules and the Cubs’ and Red Sox’ struggles.
This week’s topics: finally, we’ve got baseball to talk about! We talk about the Nats bullpen issues to start the season, and the Victor Robles Experience. Plus, impressions from around the NL East.
This week’s topics: with Opening Day upcoming, we preview the major league season and give our predictions. Plus, we discuss the recent extension craze around baseball.
This week's topics: with Michael A. Taylor out, the Nats might need to look outside the organization for outfielders, possibly including Denard Span. Plus, we discuss baseball's new rules.
This week's topics: the Nats seem to be choosing Michael A. Taylor to start over Victor Robles, and they chose Anibal Sanchez over Tanner Roark this offseason. Are those good decisions? Plus, we talk about some of the greatest injuries in Spring Training history.
This week's topics: Bryce’s departure, Craig Kimbrel and the Nats’ depth issues, and the issues with the three batter rule.
This week's topics: the return of Spring Training games, Bob Nightengale's amazing ability to be wrong all the time, and a little game called What Team Are They On.
This week's topics: Bryce Harper, the Phillies, and who's the favorite in the NL East, plus some talk about whether or not every team "thinking the same" is really just cover for collusion.