Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Latest Episodes:

Shohei Ohtani's Alarming Slump Continues Into October + Is He Still Hurt? Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani's struggles have continued into October, and the numbers are becoming increasingly concerning.

Ben Verlander breaks down Ohtani's disappointing NLDS performance, his extended home run drought, and his offensive struggles since returning from the injured list. Plus, Dave Roberts' decision to move Ohtani down the Dodgers' batting order raises even more questions about what is going on with the two-way superstar.

Is Ohtani simply going through a prolonged slump, or could lingering injuries still be affecting his performance as the Dodgers prepare for the NLCS?

Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:47 Shohei Offensive Struggles 4:04 Shohei Moved Down Lineup 5:56 Shohei Ohtani Health Concerns 6:38 Dodgers Advance to NLCS 9:40 Outro

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Wild Card Recap, Division Series Preview & John Smoltz Joins the Show Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

The Wild Card Round is officially in the books and the MLB Division Series are SET!

I’m breaking down everything we just saw in a wild opening round of the postseason, including the Astros’ stunning exit, the Phillies-Braves drama, dominant starting pitching and the biggest performances of the Wild Card Round.

Then Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins the show to react to the biggest surprises and look ahead to the Division Series before I make my picks for every matchup. Who moves on and gets one step closer to the World Series?

Who do YOU have advancing? Drop your Division Series picks in the comments!

#MLB #MLBPlayoffs #Postseason #JohnSmoltz #WorldSeries

Timestamps:

0:00 Phillies Lose in Round

13:44 Wild Card Series Recaps

14:14 Top 5 Players from Wild Card Round

19:48 John Smoltz Joins the Show

36:55 Division Series Previews

50:31 Outro

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2026 MLB Playoff Preview: World Series Pick, Shocking Playoff Predictions and more + The Justin Verlander Farewell Weekend Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

The MLB Postseason is here! I’m filling out my entire 2026 playoff bracket, breaking down every Wild Card matchup, picking the biggest upsets and revealing who I think will win the World Series.

Plus, I was there for my brother Justin Verlander’s farewell weekend and final regular season start. I share what it was like being there with my family, the emotions surrounding the weekend and some behind-the-scenes photos and videos from an unforgettable moment.

Who do YOU have winning the World Series? Drop your predictions in the comments!

#MLB #MLBPlayoffs #Postseason #JustinVerlander #WorldSeries

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:45 Justin Verlander Farewell Weekend

4:52 MLB Playoff Predictions

8:10 Wild Card Series Previews

18:26 ALDS Predictions

23:16 NLDS Predictions

32:25 ALCS Prediction

34:13 NLCS Prediction

36:15 World Series Prediction

40:11 162 Games Played List

41:44 Outro

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Are the Astros Still Inevitable? + ONE WEEK LEFT MLB Playoff Race Update Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

ONE. WEEK. LEFT. 6 teams are in the playoffs and 6 teams still to go. We talk through ALL the MLB Playoff Race scenarios as we enter the last week of the regular season. Are the Houston Astros STILL Inevitable? We discuss their rollercoaster of a season And one final MLB Regular Season Power Rankings! What do you think? Who wins the AL West? Astros or Rangers? #FlippinBats #MLB #astros #powerrankings Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:41 Roadtrip Update 2:56 MLB Playoff Races 4:10 American League Playoff Update 6:03 National League Playoff Update 9:00 Are the Astros Still Inevitable? 12:08 MLB Power Rankings 21:16 Outro

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John Smoltz Has An Idea to FIX the MLB Playoffs + Should Pitchers Be Able to Win MVP? Sep 19, 2026

Show notes

John Smoltz joins the show to explain the change he’d make to the MLB playoff format and why he thinks it could make October even better. We also debate whether pitchers should be able to win MVP, how much postseason experience really matters down the stretch, and what the Brewers and Rays clinching playoff spots says about the big-market vs. small-market debate in baseball. Plus, Smoltz breaks down what separates teams when the pressure ramps up and the postseason gets closer. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:28 Smoltz joins 3:24 How Does Experience Help? 5:38 Should Pitchers Win MVP? 8:53 Rays/Brewers First Teams in Playoffs 12:36 How to Change Playoff Format 17:47 Outro

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Aaron Judge Is Wrong About Pitchers Winning MVP + MLB Playoff Races Heat Up | MLB Power Rankings Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Aaron Judge says pitchers shouldn’t be able to win MVP because they already have the Cy Young Award. I completely disagree. We break down why pitchers absolutely should remain eligible for MVP and why the argument against them doesn’t make sense. Plus, the playoff races are getting wild with the Astros fighting to hold onto the AL West, the AL Wild Card coming down to the wire, and the Padres surging at the perfect time. We also reveal a new MLB Power Rankings as October gets closer. Should pitchers be allowed to win MVP? Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:45 Around the League Playoff Updates 6:49 Aaron Judge's MVP/Cy Young Comment 11:42 New Power Rankings 21:11 Moving Back East 24:10 Outro

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John Smoltz Remembers Piazza’s Iconic 9/11 Home Run + Shohei’s Two-Way Future Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

John Smoltz joins the show to reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and one of the most unforgettable nights in baseball history.

Smoltz shares what it was like being on the field at Shea Stadium when Mike Piazza hit his iconic home run, why the night felt so special, and why that moment seemed like it was meant to happen.

Plus, Smoltz weighs in on MLB expanding, what cities he thinks will get an MLB team, and Shohei Ohtani being done pitching this season and whether he still believes Ohtani should continue as a two-way player moving forward.

What do you remember most about Piazza’s home run after 9/11?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:37 John Smoltz Joins

2:41 MLB Expansion

8:53 Is Shohei Done As 2-Way Player?

13:13 John Smoltz Remembers 9/11

18:47 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani Hits the IL... Is He Done Pitching FOREVER? Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani is officially heading to the IL and is done pitching for the rest of the season. But does this mean we should start questioning his future as a two-way player?

We break down the latest on Ohtani’s injuries, Dave Roberts admitting the Dodgers should have put him on the IL sooner, and why the conversation about Shohei giving up pitching needs to stop.

Do you expect Shohei Ohtani to return as a two-way player next season?

Timestamps:

0:00 Shohei Ohtani Hits the IL

3:17 Will Shohei Pitch Again?

7:19 Smoltz talks 9/11

8:18 Outro

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Phillies HATE RONALD ACUNA, Blue Jays are BACK?! + ABSURD Ump Show | MLB Power Rankings (MLB Recap) Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Phillies brought the drama this weekend, while an umpire somehow found himself at the center of controversy after confronting a pitcher making his MLB debut.

We break down all of that, plus the Blue Jays’ resurgence, the Mariners and Orioles falling apart, the latest on Shohei Ohtani, which AL teams can actually beat the Dodgers in October, and a new MLB Power Rankings.

Should the umpire be punished for what he did?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:52 Braves/Phillies Drama

2:44 Absurd UMP SHOW

5:18 Blue Jays are BACK?!

7:13 Mariners are DONE

8:57 Orioles Blow Great Opportunity

10:56 Ohtani Dealing With Lots of Injuries

13:27 AL Teams That Can Beat the Dodgers

20:02 MLB Power Rankings

28:38 Outro

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What Should the Dodgers Do With Shohei Ohtani? John Smoltz Weighs In + AL Cy Young Pick Dylan Cease or Cam Schlittler | Saturday with Smoltz Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander to discuss what the Dodgers should do with Shohei Ohtani as he continues to battle injuries heading into October. Should Ohtani keep building up as a starter, focus solely on hitting, or could a bullpen role make sense for the postseason?

Plus, Smoltz makes his AL Cy Young pick between Dylan Cease and Cam Schlittler and reveals which team he believes is best built to take down the Dodgers in October.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:13 John Smoltz Joins

1:27 What Should Dodgers Do With Shohei?

5:00 Dylan Cease or Cam Schlittler AL Cy Young Race

7:41 Best Team To Beat the Dodgers?

11:12 Outro

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