Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander
Flippin' Bats is a fun baseball podcast bringing you everything you want from around the league! You'll hear from Hall of Famer John Smoltz every week, you'll hear from the game's best players, and you'll be up to date on everything around the league! Baseball. Is. Fun. And so is Flippin' Bats!
Episodes
May 21, 2026 • 21 mins
This Week in Shohei Ohtani News: Leadoff HR + ERA Drops to 0.73… He’s BACK!
Shohei Ohtani delivered the full superstar experience in the 1st inning! Hitting a leadoff home run (the 2nd time a pitcher has ever done it in MLB history, joining himself) and dominating on the mound.
On the mound:
5 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, lowers his season ERA to a ridiculous 0.73 — the lowest through 8 starts in the live-ball era (since 1920) outside of a few...
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On this week’s episode we dive into the 3 biggest stories in baseball right now:
Tarps Off in STL — The best fan energy in all of sports right now. How a group of college kids from Stephen F. Austin started a shirtless movement that has taken over Busch Stadium and even got manager Oliver Marmol buying out sections for fans.
The Phillies Are Back — After a slow start, Philadelphia is rolling under Donnie Baseball. Christop...
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John Smoltz opens up about the passing of his legendary manager Bobby Cox — one of the greatest managers in MLB history and a true father figure to so many players.
In this heartfelt conversation, Smoltz shares incredible stories, memories, and lessons from his years playing under Cox with the Atlanta Braves. From Cox’s intense competitiveness and leadership style to funny moments, life lessons, and what made him so special behind...
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The Chicago Cubs are off to one of the best starts in franchise history — multiple 10-game win streaks, leading MLB in OBP, wRC+, and WAR, and the best defense in baseball. Are they real World Series contenders who can beat the Dodgers and Braves?
Plus, we break down why Junior Caminero is already a superstar at just 22 years old — 45 HR last season, 10 HR already in 2026, and looking like a future MVP.
And the Houston Astros con...
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John Smoltz on Tarik Skubal’s Elbow Procedure, Framber Valdez Meltdown & Sign Stealing Rumors
John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander for a candid conversation on the biggest stories in MLB right now.
We discuss Tarik Skubal’s elbow procedure and what it means for the Tigers’ ace. Then we break down Framber Valdez’s ugly ejection after giving up 7 earned runs, throwing at Trevor Story after back-to-back homers, and the ongoing mental sid...
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May 6, 2026 • 20 mins
Shohei Ohtani delivered his longest pitching performance of 2026 — going 7 innings for the first time this season and as a Dodger (since his second elbow surgery).
He struck out 8, walked zero, and threw 89 pitches with 15 whiffs in a dominant outing.
Yet the Dodgers continue to give him ZERO RUN SUPPORT! They’re just 2-7 in his last 9 starts and have scored nothing in his last 19 offensive innings on the mound. Ohtani now has a...
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Ben Rice Is the Best Hitter in Baseball?! Murakami Leads MLB in HRs + Cardinals Surprise
Ben Rice has taken over the Yankees, the former platoon hitter is now dominating with a 219 wRC+, leading MLB in OPS, SLG, and OBP while hitting .327 with 10+ homers. Is he the best hitter in baseball right now?
Munetaka Murakami is a STUD. The White Sox believed in him when no one else would, now he leads all of MLB with 13 home runs in his...
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John Smoltz on Red Sox Chaos, Phillies Firing Rob Thompson & Power Rankings Debate
John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander for his weekly breakdown of the biggest storylines in MLB.
We dive into the Boston Red Sox drama: What’s really going on with the organization after their coaching shakeup?
Then we ask the tough question on the Philadelphia Phillies: Was firing Rob Thompson the right move, or is it still too early to panic on this ...
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April 28, 2026 • 40 mins
Red Sox Fire Alex Cora & Most Of Their Coaching Staff… Phillies Are Historically Awful + A brand new MLB Power Rankings with a BIG change at the top!
The Boston Red Sox just fired nearly their entire coaching staff... but kept the people actually responsible. We break down the messy, petty drama: Alex Cora’s IG post,, the “Coaches for Hire” bus, and the awkward press conference where Breslow and Kennedy pointed fingers.
Meanwhile...
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Shohei Ohtani keeps making history his on-base streak is now at 51 straight games (dating back to August 24th of last season). He’s closing in on Barry Bonds, the Dodgers’ all-time record, and legends like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams.
We also react to one of the most wholesome moments you’ll see all week involving Jake Mangum.
On the darker side: The New York Mets are in the middle of their longest losing streak in 22 years (11...
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April 19, 2026 • 26 mins
John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander for a full breakdown of the biggest storylines in MLB right now.
We dive deep into Shohei Ohtani’s Cy Young chances, how realistic is it for him to win one as a two-way superstar, and what would he need to do to take home the award?
Can Mason Miller actually win the Cy Young as a closer? Smoltz shares his Hall of Fame pitcher perspective on what it would take for a reliever to win the award for the...
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Shohei Ohtani makes history by passing Ichiro Suzuki for the longest on-base streak by a Japanese-born player in MLB history, reaching 46 games — and the viral broken Ichiro statue moment adds to the drama.
After a disappointing 76-86 season in 2025 that saw them miss the playoffs and the entire projected Opening Day rotation hit the IL, the Atlanta Braves are off to a hot 10-6 start in 2026. They lead the league in home runs and ...
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April 8, 2026 • 20 mins
Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander to break down the hottest topics from the first week-plus of the 2026 MLB season.
We discuss the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System: Is it perfect? Is three challenges per team the right balance, or should MLB move to full ABS? Smoltz shares his unfiltered take as a former pitcher.
Then we relive the wild Braves-Angels brawl from Tuesday night, including Jorge Soler char...
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The Yankees are off to a historic start, led by a dominant rotation putting up one of the lowest ERAs to begin a season in over a century. We break down what’s fueling their early success, including standout performances from Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, and a healthy Giancarlo Stanton.
Plus, are the Pittsburgh Pirates actually for real? With elite pitching, emerging prospects, and a strong start to the season, Pittsburgh is forcing...
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The new ABS Challenge System is an absolute GAME-CHANGER for baseball. It fixed brutal missed calls, upheld the tight ones, got crowds roaring, and adds a fresh layer of strategy and excitement for fans. Best part? Challenges are lightning fast — often just 10 seconds.
Key ABS Stats from the Weekend:
10 oldest umpires: 69% of calls overturned
10 youngest umpires: 39% overturned
Across 47 games: 94 calls overturned (54% s...
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March 27, 2026 • 20 mins
Opening Day is in the books and it delivered chaos, surprises, and some BIG early storylines across Major League Baseball.
Paul Skenes had a tough first outing and didn’t make it out of the 1st inning... but there’s more to the story than the box score.
On the other side, Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers looked dominant, raising the question: are they already the team to beat in the American League?
We also break down one of...
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March 25, 2026 • 36 mins
The 2026 MLB season is here! And it’s time for Ben's full World Series prediction and award picks.
In this episode, Ben breaks down his picks for Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP in both the American League and National League, along with his full playoff bracket and World Series champion.
There are a few award races that feel wide open… and at least one prediction that might surprise you.
Plus we're giving away a copy of...
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March 24, 2026 • 46 mins
The National League might run through the Dodgers again… but it’s not that simple.
In this episode, Ben breaks down my full 2026 National League preview! Including division-by-division predictions, playoff teams, and who he thinks is representing the NL in the World Series.
Can Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers dominate again, or is there a team ready to take them down?
Plus, I’m giving away a copy of MLB The Show 26. Listen to find...
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March 23, 2026 • 46 mins
The American League might be the most unpredictable it’s been in years.
In this episode, I break down my full 2026 American League preview! including division winners, playoff teams, and who I think is representing the AL in the World Series.
Some teams I’m higher on than most… and at least one contender I’m not buying.
Plus I’m giving away a copy of MLB The Show 26 Digital Deluxe Edition. Listen to find out how to enter!
...
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March 18, 2026 • 17 mins
Venezuela upset USA in the World Baseball Classic Final. Ben Verlander breaks down the WBC final and what this win means for Venezeula and how big of a disappointment this is for Team USA. Ben interviewed Miguel Cabrera, Gleyber Torres, and Eugenio Suarez after the win.
CHAPTERS:0:00 INTRO0:45 VENEZUELA DEF. USA2:48 VENEZEULA WINS 1ST WBC CHAMPIONSHIP3:45 MIGUEL CABRERA4:15 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VENEZEULA6:30 GLEYBER TORRES7:30 VENZ...
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