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?