Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Latest Episodes:

SHOHEI OHTANI IS BACK! RED SOX DID WHAT?! MLB POWER RANKINGS & MORE Jun 16, 2025

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Ben Verlander is back with a jam-packed episode of Flippin' Bats! This week, he dives into Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited return to the mound against the Padres — his first pitching appearance in nearly two years. Plus, Ohtani hits another major milestone with his 250th career home run.
But the biggest bombshell? The Boston Red Sox trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants — and yes, the Giants are taking on his entire contract. Ben breaks down the stunning move, rips into the Red Sox for the decision, and unpacks what this means for both teams. All that and more on this week’s must-watch episode!
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:30 Devers To The Giants
25:00 Ohtani Is Back
33:00 MLB Power Rankings
41:00 Fanduel Best Bets
43:00 Outro

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SHOHEI OHTANI & DODGERS VS PADRES, GREATEST CATCH IN MLB HISTORY & MORE WITH JOHN SMOLTZ Jun 12, 2025

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MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz returns to the show with Ben Verlander to break down what might be the greatest catch in baseball history — and why it left him speechless. They dive into the intense Dodgers vs. Padres series, highlight Shohei Ohtani's impact, and explore how the recent wave of pitching injuries could reshape future MLB contracts. Don’t miss this insider conversation with one of baseball’s sharpest minds!

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BRAVES COLLAPSE IN 2025?! ASTROS TAKE AL WEST LEAD + LATEST MLB POWER RANKINGS Jun 09, 2025

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Ben Verlander returns with a brand-new episode of Flippin’ Bats! This week, he dives into the Atlanta Braves’ shocking collapse in the 2025 season. Is it time for the Braves to hit the reset button and start planning for 2026?
Ben also takes a closer look at the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks, whose season has been derailed by devastating pitching injuries—should they be sellers at the deadline too?
Plus, the Houston Astros are surging once again and sitting atop the AL West. Ben breaks down what’s fueling their dominance and reveals his updated MLB Power Rankings!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
06:30 Braves Collapse
23:18 AL West Update
31:20 Dbacks Reset
42:53 MLB Power Rankings
47:47 MLB Best Bets
49:45 Outro

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SHOHEI OHTANI'S PITCHING RETURN? JOHN SMOLTZ BREAKS DOWN MLB TRADE DEADLINE RUMORS & MORE! Jun 05, 2025

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Ben Verlander is joined once again by MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz to break down the biggest storylines from the weekend, including the high-stakes Dodgers vs. Yankees series and what it means for both teams going forward. Smoltz shares exclusive insights from watching Shohei Ohtani’s simulated game up close from the press box, plus the latest on Lance McCullers’ road to recovery with the Houston Astros. They also dive into which team must make a move at the trade deadline to stay in contention.

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SHOHEI OHTANI & DODGERS DOMINATE YANKEES, BRAVES: BUYERS OR SELLERS & MLB TRADE DEADLINE Jun 03, 2025

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Ben Verlander is back with a brand-new episode of Flippin' Bats, diving into the highly anticipated World Series rematch between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. What did this series reveal about both teams as we move deeper into the season?Ben also breaks down the latest on the Atlanta Braves, analyzing where they stand following the returns of Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr.Plus, the MLB Trade Deadline is heating up, and Ben shares three trades that NEED to happen. Don’t miss his updated MLB Power Rankings as the playoff picture starts to take shape.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
04:00 Braves: Buyers or Sellers
10:25 Dodgers Vs Yankees Recap
18:50 Three Trades We Need To See
31:50 MLB Power Rankings
39:00 Fanduel Best Bet
42:00 Outro

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SHOHEI OHTANI DODGERS CLOSER? JOHN SMOLTZ TALKS OHTANI’S ROLE, PITCHING & MORE May 30, 2025

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MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander on this week’s episode of Flippin’ Bats to break down the latest headlines around the league!They dive into the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen struggles and discuss the possibility of Shohei Ohtani stepping in as a postseason closer. Could Ohtani really take on that role?
Plus, they react to Ronny Simon’s tough three-error game with the Miami Marlins, Smoltz shares the wildest grounds crew story you've ever heard, and they debate who the best pitcher in MLB is right now.

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SHOHEI OHTANI DAZZLES IN SIM GAME, RED SOX SETBACK, TOP 5 PITCHERS IN MLB & POWER RANKINGS May 26, 2025

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Ben Verlander brings you the latest and hottest news in MLB. This week, he discusses yet another blow the Boston Red Sox have been delivered after the news of Alex Bregman's injury came out. He also talks about Shohei Ohtani being back on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers and looking as good as he did before the arm injury. Ben finally talks about his Top 5 pitchers in MLB, the story of Nic Enright & his MLB Power Rankings.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:30 Red Sox News
08:30 Ohtani Sim Game
15:00 Top 5 Pitchers
27:00 Power Rankings
32:00 Nic Enright Story
38:00 Outro

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YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO’S NL CY YOUNG PUSH, SPENCER STRIDER RETURNS & MLB’S BEST TEAM May 22, 2025

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Ben Verlander is joined by MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz to break down the biggest MLB storylines this week!
They dive into Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s NL Cy Young campaign and how the Los Angeles Dodgers ace has evolved from his rookie season to Year 2. They also talk about the Atlanta Braves and the return of Spencer Strider—what it means for the rotation and the Braves' postseason hopes.
Plus, Ben and John debate a hot topic: Who is the best team in Major League Baseball right now?

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DETROIT TIGERS BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL, SUBWAY SERIES: YANKEES VS METS & MLB POWER RANKINGS May 19, 2025

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Ben Verlander has a new team atop his MLB Power Rankings and could it be the Detroit Tigers? Ben also recaps the Subway Series that say Juan Soto go back to the Bronx as the Mets took on the Yankees. He also updates his MLB Power Rankings and comments on the Baltimore Orioles firing Brandon Hyde.

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PETE ROSE IN MLB HALL OF FAME, JUAN SOTO RETURNS TO THE BRONX & AARON NOLA ISSUES WITH JOHN SMOLTZ May 17, 2025

Show notes

Ben Verlander once again is joined by MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz. This week they discuss what leads to a pitcher rebounding or falling out of form like Patrick Corbin and Aaron Nola. They also talk about whether Pete Rose should be in MLB's Hall of Fame, Juan Soto's return to the Bronx to play the New York Yankees for the first time since signing with the New York Mets & much more.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:00 John Smoltz Joins
02:45 Aaron Nola Issues
06:00 Justin Verlander Still Winless
10:20 Juan Soto Back To The Bronx
12:00 Pete Rose In HOF?
19:30 Outro

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