Mike

@MarkZuckerman Hard to take too much out of game 1. Seemed like they were elevating the ball on a consistent basis. Still problems in the field and on the base path (and out of the batter's box for some).

Final: Nats 10, Cubs 4. Wiemer, Young and House homered. Cavalli worked to get through 3.2 IP. Four relievers combined for the final 16 outs. And the Toboni/Butera tandem is undefeated.

@BenStandig @team980 RGIII trying out for USA flag football. I could see it.

Nowhere I'd rather be on a beautiful spring day than indoors at the @team980 studios from 4-6 talking NFL Draft, Nats, March Madness and taking your calls. Give a listen, get involved. (Questions here welcomed!)

@MarkZuckerman Looks cold. Roles reversed. In the 70s in DC.

Season 22 of Washington Nationals baseball is underway on a windy, 49-degree Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Grateful as ever to be here.

@MarkZuckerman At least one of those not earned (can't remember about the other). Chaparro as DH, ok. Chaparro at first . . . well . . ., I guess it is windy?

Blake Butera will go to his bullpen with 2 outs in the 4th. Cade Cavalli looked surprised. He's done after 75 pitches in a 7-3 game. Butera now asking for 16 outs from his bullpen.

@MarkZuckerman @JessicaCamerato @spencernusbaum_ @andrewcgolden Awesome. Sky looks perfect. Hope it holds.

After all that, we’re all back together for Opening Day. ⁦⁦@JessicaCamerato⁩ @spencernusbaum_ ⁦@andrewcgolden⁩

@JPFinlayNBCS The Riddell box gives me hope. Not just a uni change, but a helmet change. 🤞

🚨🚨🚨

@chucktodd She's stood by deals with Data Center operators and refused to change Virginia's "right to work" status (sins for the left). And she signed the redrawn maps (sins for the right (in VA, not TX)). And she made modest immigration changes (sins for both). Life as a moderate.

So what is the bigger problem for Gov. Spanberger politically? According to Wednesday’s Post, it’s being too partisan. According to Thursday’s Politico, it’s not being partisan enough.

@BenStandig @LoganPaulsenNFL Wizards not playing their starters. Utah countered with a G-league team.

🎙 Went long talking draft with @LoganPaulsenNFL. Part 1: 🏈 Digging into '26 class 🏈 What's changed since FA 🏈 Tate v. Lemon vs. WR depth 🏈 All the ways to love Love, but... 🏈 Potential clues into the offense's grand plan Plus, a mini mailbag. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/log…

@MarkZuckerman That's really rough. All the work to get back and then this.

The Nationals have placed Josiah Gray on the 60-day IL with a right flexor strain. Gray, who hasn’t pitched since April 2024, was healthy this spring and optimistic after being optioned to AAA last week. This has to be a crushing blow to him.

@BenStandig If Styles Love and/or Reese are on the board, I don't think I answer the phone. If not, I hope it rings (and it is no further than the Dolphins on the line).

Only two top-100 picks. Multiple needs. No clear must-take at 7. That’s a trade-down setup. Mock Draft 6.0 explores the Commanders' options — and how the board could shift because of them. Two rounds (and partial 3rd). open.substack.com/pub/lastmansta…

@JPFinlayNBCS I mean I get wanting to get the clock right, but the players can't huddle with the coaches. No freebie timeouts. Didn't matter, but this scenario needs to be fixed.

The refs absolutely should not stop the clock like that after the 3. Total gift to Florida

@kevinsheehanDC 148. That's just mean.

NCAA Tournament "Smell Test" picks for today: Miami/Purdue UNDER-147.5 Kentucky +5.5 Kentucky/Iowa St. UNDER-147 Kansas +3.5 Iowa +10.5 Utah St. +11.5 Utah St./Arizona UNDER-154 UCLA +4.5 Bama/Texas Tech UNDER-165 Alabama +1.5 **2-1 ATS yesterday; 8-4 ATS for the week**

@MarkZuckerman Another trade in the works?

Jorbit Vivas is a left-handed-hitting 2B/3B who is out of options. So is José Tena. Can't imagine Nats will keep both on the Opening Day roster, unless something else is in the works.

@JPFinlayNBCS To me, you guys are clearly right about the injury risk, but the NFL must have sanctioned this. Payton is coaching. I am enjoying the flag football guys schooling the tackle football guys. All the tackle players that want to play in the Olympics have A LOT to learn.

Football and Flag Football are very different sports. We shouldnt really be surprised that the best flag dudes in the country are smoking the dudes that dont play flag

@BenStandig @Jason_OTC Fair. Cumulative I guess. About the pods with you, John and Bram and then this about the cap space (to still sign players).

@YuccaMike @Jason_OTC Not sure why you're telling me this in general or what was said on another pod that has zero to do with my tweet.

The available salary cap number for the Commanders now appears legit as deals for Paul, McNichols, Brown, etc are included. Via @Jason_OTC: 1. Titans - $63.49M 2. Commanders - $49.35M Had 2nd fewest players under contract at start of FA. Now top half of league with 71.

@BatteriesIncPod One thing I am concerned about is the cost of fast charging. If an operator only offered 150kWh "fast" chargers, would they be significantly cheaper to operate? If so, I think I would do that and compete on price. How much longer would it really take to charge?

Mega EV news this week: • BMW i3 big reveal • Seeing Lucid Cosmos in person • Honda flees EV battlefield • Much, much more! Tune in and get up to speed! youtube.com/watch?v=bh99Pu…

@MarkZuckerman I get the move. It feels right on the merits. Hopefully, it is just a slow start. But it is starting to feel like a bust. He wasn't a high school prospect.

Dylan Crews has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester, as well as Jackson Rutledge.

@BenStandig Yeah, they looked gassed. I mean if there is a big drop off to the bench, I get it. But I felt like the coach needed to be a little more strategic with the timeouts to lengthen breaks.

Siena getting good looks but legs appear shot.

I haven't watched Siena play this season before today. Zero subs for the entire game is insane. If you told me some squad loaded with NBAers, like the Fab 5 or the Anthony Davis Kentucky team played all 40, I could maybe understand. Duke let off the hook.

@JPFinlayNBCS Sign Jennings and Aiyuk.

Commanders fans what would you prefer: