District 34 podcast: Trade deadline, Nats lineup and the Giants series

The Nationals are coming off a two-game interleague series with the Indians in Cleveland, a series they split but probably should have swept. Now they're out west to start an important four-game series with the National League West-leading Giants before popping down to Arizona. On top of that, the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline looms on Sunday.

Needless to say, it's an exciting time for another episode of the District 34 podcast.

But looking back as to why the Nationals didn't sweep the Indians, it's hard not to point out Jonathan Papelbon's third blown save of the season in the first game at Progressive Field. Papelbon, after allowing four runs and taking the loss to the Padres on Sunday, gave up three runs (two earned) in the ninth inning, leading to an Indians walk-off. Poor timing for the closer with the trade deadline coming up and the Nats already being rumored to be searching for another ninth-inning guy.

With Aroldis Chapman going to the Cubs, who else could the Nationals look to trade for? Andrew Miller? Wade Davis? And if those guys are on the market, who are the Nats willing to give up in return? General manager Mike Rizzo has pretty much implied that top prospects Lucas Giolito and Trea Turner are untouchable, so who then?

As Byron Kerr says in this week's episode, "it's gonna hurt."

Speaking of Byron, he also gives our listeners a behind-the-scenes idea of what it's like to work with Ray Knight on MASN's "Nats Xtra" pre and postgame shows, as we look ahead to the upcoming series at AT&T Park. We'll discuss some of the segments seen on Wednesday's postgame show, including Stephen Strasburg's arsenal for strikeouts and Bryce Harper's swing and how he can get out of his slump.

And with the Nationals moving back to a National League park and losing the designated hitter, how will manager Dusty Baker put together his lineups with Turner excelling at the leadoff spot, Jayson Werth enjoying a 30-game on-base streak, and Ryan Zimmerman and Ben Revere struggling at the plate?

As always, we hope you enjoy this episode of District 34, and if you're staying up late to watch the game tonight, follow along with us on Twitter at @Bobby_Blanco and @masnKerr.