Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Latest Episodes:

Shohei Ohtani Could Return to the Mound Sunday + His MVP Case Is Heating Up | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani could be back on the mound for the Dodgers as soon as Sunday.

Ohtani has taken some major steps toward his pitching return, including facing live hitters and continuing to build up on the mound. We break down the latest on when he could pitch, why he won’t need a rehab assignment, and what his return would mean for a Dodgers rotation that is coming together at exactly the right time.

Plus, Ohtani continues to make an impact offensively as the NL MVP race heats up.

Subscribe for more MLB coverage and This Week in Shohei Ohtani. #FlippinBats #MLB #shoheiohtani #shoheiohtani #ohtani #dodgers #losangelesdodgers

Timestamps:

0:00 Shohei's Return to the Mound

4:40 Shohei's Injured Knee Update

6:53 Shohei's Offensive Week

10:21 Outro

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers’ October Plan Is Coming Together PERFECTLY + Astros FIRE GM, Padres New Ownership is AWESOME & MLB Power Rankings Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

The Dodgers’ rotation is coming together at the perfect time, and October is starting to look scary for the rest of baseball.

We break down why the Dodgers are built for this time of year, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto dealing, Tarik Skubal joining the rotation, Blake Snell dominating, Tyler Glasnow getting closer and Shohei Ohtani working toward his return to the mound.

Plus, the Astros made major news by firing GM Dana Brown. What does the move mean for the organization, and what could be next for manager Joe Espada?

We also get into the Padres’ new ownership group and their aggressive plans for the future, unveil this week’s MLB Power Rankings, and recap the Little League Classic.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:07 Astros fire GM Dana Brown

6:54 Dodgers Coming Together Just in Time

10:30 Padres New Ownership ROCKS

15:00 New MLB Power Rankings

24:54 Little League Classic Recap

27:00 Outro

Are the Dodgers going to win 3 in a row?!

#MLB #Dodgers #Astros #Baseball #MLBPowerRankings

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Smoltz Picks His NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani or PCA? + AL Wild Card CHAOS Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

John Smoltz makes his pick in the NL MVP race between Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong!

This week on Saturday with Smoltz, I ask the Hall of Famer who he would vote for right now in one of baseball’s biggest award races.

We also break down the absolute chaos in the American League Wild Card race and Smoltz gives his pick for which team ultimately gets in.

Plus, with the Little League Classic this weekend, Smoltz shares his favorite Little League memory and looks back at what it was like to be a player during the historic Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa home run chase in 1998.

Who gets your NL MVP vote right now, Shohei or PCA? Let me know in the comments! #FlippinBats #MLB #JohnSmoltz #shoheiohtani #petecrowarmstrong #PCA #NLMVP

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:54 Smoltz's AL Wildcard Pick

5:03 Smoltz picks his NL MVP

11:11 Remembering the 1998 MVP Race

12:48 Favorite Little League Moment

15:58 Outro

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could Shohei Ohtani Leave the Dodgers? The Mark Walter Situation Explained | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Could Shohei Ohtani actually leave the Dodgers? Reports surrounding Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter have raised major questions about his financial empire, and because of a unique clause in Ohtani’s contract, Dodgers fans are wondering what it could mean for Shohei’s future in Los Angeles.

On this week’s This Week in Shohei Ohtani, I break down what’s actually happening with Walter, why this does NOTmean the Dodgers are broke, how Ohtani’s key man clause works, and what would have to happen for it to become relevant.

Plus, we have the latest on the NL MVP race between Ohtani and PCA, another big week at the plate for Shohei, and an encouraging pitching update as he continues working toward a potential return to the Dodgers rotation in September.

In this episode:
• What’s actually happening with Mark Walter
• Are the Dodgers in financial trouble?
• Could Ohtani’s contract clause allow him to leave?
• Why Ohtani’s deferred money isn’t suddenly at risk
• Shohei vs. PCA in the NL MVP race
• Ohtani’s latest offensive surge
• The latest on his return to pitching

Let's hear it... Who is Your NL MVP Pick?

Timestamps:

0:00 Are the Dodgers in Trouble?

7:00 NL MVP Race

11:56 Shohei's Offensive Week

14:00 Latest Pitching News

15:40 Outro

#ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers #MLB #LosAngelesDodgers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AL Playoff Race Is CHAOS… WHO GETS IN?! Murakami and the White Sox DOMINATE Tigers! + MLB Power Rankings Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

The American League playoff race is absolute CHAOS. With six teams separated by just 1.5 games in the Wild Card race, I’m breaking down the contenders and making my picks for which six teams ultimately make the AL playoffs.

Plus, the White Sox just went into Detroit and swept the Tigers in their biggest series of the season. Did Detroit blow its chance to make a run at the AL Central? And are the Blue Jays actually the team best positioned to grab the final Wild Card spot?

We’ll also unveil this week’s MLB Power Rankings, talk about the Brewers taking over baseball’s top spot, the Dodgers’ recent struggles, and everything that made this year’s Field of Dreams experience so special.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:47 AL Wild Card CHAOS

2:38 My 6 AL Wild Card Picks

7:56 Tigers Blow Golden Opportunity

11:31 White Sox Dominate HUGE Series

15:10 New MLB Power Rankings

25:33 Field of Dreams Experience

30:25 Ohtani Donates 7 Figures

31:00 Outro

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should We Be Worried About Paul Skenes? John Smoltz explains + His Emotional Field of Dreams Experience and Crazy 4th Out Rule Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

Is there reason to be concerned about Paul Skenes?

John Smoltz joins me for another Saturday with Smoltz to break down Skenes’ recent struggles, what he’s seeing from the Pirates ace, and whether there’s anything to worry about moving forward.

We also get Smoltz’s take on one of the strangest plays you’ll see all season involving MLB’s “fourth out” rule, plus he shares a personal story about his Field of Dreams experience and what that game meant to him and his family.

Are you concerned about Paul Skenes or not? Let me know in the comments!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:42 Concerned About Paul Skenes?

5:15 Wild 4th Out Rule

9:30 Smoltz' Emotional Field of Dreams Experience

11:59 Outro

#PaulSkenes #JohnSmoltz #MLB #Pirates #Baseball

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shohei Ohtani Takes Another Step Toward Pitching Return | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to returning to the mound. After not pitching since July 3, Ohtani has now thrown on back-to-back days as he continues working his way toward his next bullpen session.

We break down the latest on Ohtani’s pitching timeline, what his recent stolen base could tell us about his knee, and where things stand in the NL MVP race with Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Plus, John Smoltz weighs in on the Ohtani vs. PCA MVP debate.

Is Shohei still your NL MVP right now? Let me know below!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:40 Johns Smoltz

NL MVP Pick

1:53 Shohei vs PCA

2:41 Pitching Injury Update

4:50 Shohei's Offense

6:25 Who wins MVP?

7:39 Outro

#ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers #MLB #Ohtani #DodgersBaseball

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tigers are HOT, Yankees Found Their Star SS + A New Team Atop the MLB Power Rankings Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

The Detroit Tigers are officially making some noise in the American League — and this might be more than just a hot streak.

We break down Detroit’s surge, Troy Melton’s incredible season, Jackson Jobe’s return and why this Tigers rotation could be a serious problem down the stretch.

Plus, the Yankees may have found a game changer in George Lombard Jr. Is the rookie already becoming a star in New York?

We also unveil this week’s MLB Power Rankings, talk about the Dodgers’ recent struggles, the Brewers taking over the No. 1 spot, and look ahead to MLB at the Field of Dreams.

⚾ On today’s show:
• Are the Tigers FOR REAL?
• Troy Melton’s ridiculous season
• Jackson Jobe is throwing 100 again
• George Lombard Jr. looks like a STAR
• The latest MLB Power Rankings
• What’s happening with the Dodgers?
• Field of Dreams week is here

Drop your take below: Are the Tigers a legitimate playoff team — and how good can George Lombard Jr. be?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:40 Tigers are HOT

6:08 Yankees Found Their Star SS

10:35 New MLB Power Rankings

24:16 MLB at Field of Dreams

26:51 Outro

#MLB #DetroitTigers #Yankees #Baseball

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PCA or Shohei Ohtani? John Smoltz Settles the NL MVP Debate + MLB Trade Deadline Winners and Losers Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

The NL MVP race is officially on. This week, John Smoltz joins the show to break down the biggest debate in baseball: Shohei Ohtani or Pete Crow-Armstrong for National League MVP? Is elite defense more valuable than elite pitching? Who has the stronger overall case? We also discuss: ⚾ John Smoltz's biggest winners from the MLB Trade Deadline ⚾ The Dodgers' pursuit of Tarik Skubal ⚾ The Braves' quiet deadline ⚾ Ohtani's incredible week at the plate and on the mound Who gets your NL MVP vote right now? Let us know in the comments! #Dodgers #ShoheiOhtani #PeteCrowArmstrong #Cubs #MLB #MLBTradeDeadline #JohnSmoltz #mvp

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:53 John Smoltz Joins

1:13 Who is the NL MVP?

4:30 Tarik Skubal Traded to Dodgers

8:36 Braves Underwhelming Deadline

10:50 Jacob DeGrom Declines Trade

15:12 Deadline Winners and Losers

20:22 Outro

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shohei Ohtani vs. Pete Crow-Armstrong: Who Deserves NL MVP? | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

The NL MVP race is officially here. For months, Shohei Ohtani looked like the runaway favorite. Now, Pete Crow-Armstrong has forced his way into the conversation, and after an incredible head-to-head showdown, it's time to ask the question... Who deserves the National League MVP? In this week's This Week in Shohei Ohtani News, we break down: ⚾ Shohei Ohtani vs. Pete Crow-Armstrong for NL MVP 🔥 Their incredible "MVP duel" against each other 📈 Shohei's monster week at the plate 🎯 Why Ohtani's pitching changes the entire MVP debate 🏆 The latest Shohei Ohtani news and stats Who gets your MVP vote right now? 👇 Let me know in the comments! #MLB #ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers #Cubs #PeteCrowArmstrong #NLMVP #baseball Timestamps: 0:00 Shohei vs PCA for MVP 8:32 Dueling MVPs in Chicago 12:20 Shohei's Hot Offense 14:21 Outro

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Flippin’ Bats with Ben Verlander

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected