Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Latest Episodes:

MLB Trade Deadline Winners & Losers + Why "Prospects Are Suspects" Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

The MLB Trade Deadline is over, and it's time to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

This week, I explain why "prospects are suspects" is more than just a saying, look back at some of the biggest blockbuster trades in MLB history, and rank my biggest winners and losers from this year's deadline.

Plus, thoughts on the Cubs, Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, Braves, Brewers, Tigers, Orioles, Astros and more, before wrapping up with this week's MLB Power Rankings.

Let me know your biggest trade deadline winner and loser in the comments!

Timestamps:

0:00 Trade Deadline Chaos

2:10 Top 5 Trade Deadline Winners

8:48 Top 5 Trade Deadline Losers

24:26 Orioles Embarrassing Deadline

26:45 Tigers Disappoint Again

31:43 Astros Weird Deadline Deal

34:40 MLB Power Rankings

47:08 Outro

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John Smoltz Shares Untold Hall of Fame Stories of Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, and Carlos Beltran Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

Hall of Fame Weekend is over... but John Smoltz has stories you probably haven't heard.

We talk about baseball's newest Hall of Famers, share stories about each of them, behind-the-scenes moments from Cooperstown, and why Hall of Fame Weekend means so much to everyone who's been part of it.

Who was your favorite of the 3 new Hall of Famers?

#MLB #HallOfFame #JohnSmoltz #Baseball #AndruwJones #JeffKent #CarlosBeltran

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

3:54 Carlos Beltran Story

6:35 Jeff Kent Story

9:27 Andruw Jones Story

12:22 Favorite Part of HOF Weekend

13:18 Outro

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ESPN's New Shohei Ohtani Podcast + Injury Update | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

ESPN has released a brand-new 30 for 30 podcast series, The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani, bringing the Ippei Mizuhara scandal back into the spotlight more than two years later. But why now? I listened to the entire series and break down what is actually new, what isn't, and whether this story needed to be revisited in the middle of another historic Shohei Ohtani season. Plus, the latest on Shohei's injury updates, his return-to-pitching timeline, and a look at his recent surge at the plate as he starts heating up offensively once again. What do you think? Did ESPN need to make this podcast? Let me know in the comments. If you enjoyed the video, be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss another episode of This Week in Shohei Ohtani News! Timestamps: 0:00 The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani 4:59 Shohei Ohtani Dealing With 2 Injuries 8:59 Shohei Ohtani Heating Up on Offense 10:53 NL MVP Race 12:30 Outro

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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 Teams That Need to Buy + Hall of Fame & Power Rankings Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

The MLB Trade Deadline is almost here... and there are FIVE teams that NEED to buy. The problem? I don't trust them to actually do it.

Who made my list? And which team has me more frustrated than ever?

Plus:

⚾ My latest MLB Power Rankings

🏛️ Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones & Jeff Kent are officially Hall of Famers

🔥 Team of the Week

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:30 5 Teams That NEED to BUY... But Won't

17:35 3 New Hall of Fame Inductees

25:01 MLB Power Rankings

34:00 Team of the Week

36:35 Outro

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John Smoltz on Shohei Ohtani's MVP Case + The One Thing He'd Trade for Another World Series Ring Jul 25, 2026

Show notes

John Smoltz joins me for another edition of Saturday with Smoltz, and this week we start with the biggest question in baseball: Should Shohei Ohtani still be the favorite to win the National League MVP?

We break down Shohei's latest injury update, what it means for the Dodgers, and whether the MVP race has become much more interesting.

Then, Smoltz shares one of the most fascinating answers he's ever given on this show—revealing what he would've traded for another World Series championship.

We also discuss:

- The Dodgers' outlook

- The MLB trade deadline

- The biggest stories around baseball

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:30 Shohei Ohtani Injury Concern

3:11 Is Shohei Still the MVP?

4:26 Boston Red Sox Legit?

6:54 Was He Ever Almost Traded?

11:51 Favorite Part of All-Star Week

15:54 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani's Injury Cause NL MVP Shakeup? Tarik Skubal Trade News, Red Sox Surging & MLB Power Rankings | Flippin' Bats Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani won't pitch again for some time because of his knee—but does that finally open the door for a new National League MVP?

In today's episode, I explain why I still believe Shohei is the clear MVP, even if he doesn't throw another pitch this season, and break down what Dave Roberts' latest comments mean for the Dodgers moving forward.

Plus:

Why Tarik Skubal says he doesn't want to be traded—and whether the Tigers should listen
The Boston Red Sox continue one of the hottest stretches in franchise history
Are the Mets about to reshape their roster again?
My latest MLB Power Rankings

Who do you have winning the NL MVP right now? Let me know in the comments!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

2:30 NL MVP Now Up For Grabs?

8:05 Should Tigers Trade Skubal?

12:00 Red Sox Surging

16:05 Mets Open For Business

20:21 New MLB Power Rankings

31:45 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani Wins ESPY + Latest Knee Update | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani's latest ESPY win has baseball fans debating one question: Was it the greatest single-game performance ever? In this week's This Week in Shohei Ohtani News, I explain why I believe the award was deserved, react to the debate surrounding Shohei's historic performance, and discuss why I think it belongs among the greatest games ever played. Plus: - Mike Tyson's hilarious reaction to learning Shohei is a man 😂 - The latest update on Shohei's knee after missing the All-Star Game - Whether Dodgers fans should actually be concerned - Shohei's dominant first half on the mound - His incredible power surge heading into the second half Let me know in the comments: What is the greatest single game performance in SPORTS HISTORY? Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:13 Ohtani Wins Greatest Game ESPY 4:09 Shohei Knee Concern 7:38 Shohei First Half Stats 10:38 Was It The Greatest Game Ever? 12:05 Outro

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MLB All-Star Week Recap + Exclusive Player Interviews Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Ben takes you behind the scenes of MLB All-Star Week, recapping everything from Media Day, the Red Carpet, the Home Run Derby, and the MLB All-Star Game while sharing exclusive conversations with some of baseball's biggest stars.

This episode features interviews and moments from throughout the week, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Justin Verlander, All-Star Game MVP Cody Bellinger, and many more, along with Ben's biggest takeaways from one of baseball's best events of the year.

Whether you missed All-Star Week or want to relive the biggest moments, this episode has you covered.

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John Smoltz Explains Why Justin Verlander Is the Last of His Kind Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

With Justin Verlander officially announcing his retirement, I sat down with Hall of Famer John Smoltz to reflect on one of the greatest pitching careers in baseball history which just so happens to be accomplished by my brother.

We discuss what made Justin so special, the moments that defined his career, what Cooperstown should remember most, and what it's like knowing when it's finally time to walk away from the game.

If you're a Justin Verlander fan, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:55 John Smoltz Joins

3:31 How Hard Is The Decision?

8:54 What Will You Remember Most?

10:17 What Impressed You Most?

12:51 Pitching In 2 Generations

15:19 How Baseball Will Remember JV

19:00 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani's Historic 300th Home Run | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani has reached another unbelievable milestone. This week on This Week in Shohei Ohtani News, we break down why Shohei's 300th career home run is so much more than just another number. From becoming the 5th-fastest player in MLB history to 300 home runs to continuing to build one of the greatest careers baseball has ever seen, we put this historic accomplishment into perspective. Also this week: ⚾ Shohei's latest start on the mound 🎂 His birthday week 🏆 His chase for a fifth MVP Award 📈 Where he now ranks among the greatest players in baseball history

Timestamps:

0:00 Shohei Historic 300 HR

4:04 This Week in Shohei Ohtani News

7:00 How Many HRs Will Shohei Hit?

11:25 How Many MVPs Will Shohei Win?

14:30 300 Homerun Graph

15:50 BVG Comes True

16:26 Outro

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