Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Latest Episodes:

Yankees Look Like the Best in the American League + MLB Power Rankings & Are the Pirates for Real? Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

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 its way into the conversation.

We also dive into this week’s MLB Power Rankings, biggest risers and fallers, and highlight the top performers in our Team of the Week.

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ABS Challenge System Verdict: It's AWESOME! + Historic Rookie Weekend + Justin Verlander Year 21 Debut Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

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% success rate)
175 total challenges — pitchers only initiated 5 (just 2 overturned)

This tech is here to stay, and I'm all in.

Then there's the insane rookie explosion — one of the best Opening Weekends for young talent in MLB history. A record number of top-100 prospects made Opening Day rosters, and several delivered immediately:

Chase DeLauter (Guardians): 4 home runs in his first 3 career MLB games (.353 AVG, 1.412 OPS). He's already drawing "next Barry Bonds" buzz after a go-ahead bomb off an All-Star closer. Only the second player in MLB history to achieve this feat.
Munetaka Murakami: 3 HRs in his first 3 games
Kevin McGonigle: 5-12, 2 doubles, 4 RBI
JJ Wetherholt: Homer + walk-off 2-run single
Sal Stewart, Owen Caissie, Carson Benge & more lighting it up

The youth movement is real — baseball's future looks bright.

Plus, a personal highlight: My brother Justin Verlander begins Year 21 today, back in a Detroit Tigers uniform for the first time in 9 years. Emotional stuff — Father Time still hasn't caught him.

I break down my full Power Rankings after the first weekend:

Dodgers
Blue Jays
Yankees
Mariners
Mets
Tigers
Phillies
Brewers
Orioles
Braves

And my Team of the Week, including standouts like Shea Langeliers (3 HRs), Mike Trout (vintage mode with diving plays), Brandon Lowe, Brendan Donovan, and Chase DeLauter.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:43 ABS System is a hit

10:38 Chase DeLauter is INSANE

13:04 Rookies showing out

17:30 Justin starts year 21

21:57 Power Rankings

33:20 Team of the Week

#MLB2026 #OpeningWeekend #ChaseDeLauter #ABSChallenge #JustinVerlander #MLBPowerRankings

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Opening Day Reactions: Skenes Struggles, Tigers Make a Statement & Historic Rookie Debuts Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

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 the most impressive Opening Days for rookies in recent memory. Kevin McGonigle’s historic debut, JJ Wetherholt going deep early, Chase DeLauter’s two-homer performance, and Carson Benge making an instant impact all headline a wave of young talent making noise right away.

Plus, Shohei Ohtani sets the tone for the Dodgers’ season with a powerful message to his teammates, the Mets’ revamped offense shows real promise, and several standout moments around the league.

From overreactions to real takeaways, this episode covers everything you need to know from an unforgettable Opening Day.

Be sure to follow/subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes throughout the season.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:35 New Look Mets

1:53 Paul Skenes tough luck

5:03 Detroit Tigers look LEGIT

09:55 Dodgers are as advertised

13:02 Murakami homers in MLB debut

14:37 Rookies shined on opening day

19:13 ABS System

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MLB 2026 Award Winners, MVP, and World Series Prediction Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

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 MLB The Show 26. Listen for how to enter!

🏆 2026 MLB Predictions:

AL & NL Rookie of the Year
AL & NL Cy Young
AL & NL MVP
Full playoff bracket
World Series prediction

From stars like Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez, Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr., to rising young talent looking to break out, this season has no shortage of storylines.

Who do you have winning the World Series this year?

Follow/subscribe for more MLB coverage, predictions, and weekly episodes all season long.

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2026 National League Preview & Predictions: Dodgers, Ohtani & the Race for the NL Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

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 out how to enter.

2026 National League Preview:

NL East breakdown
NL Central predictions
NL West predictions
Wild Card teams
NL Champion

Who do you have winning the National League this season?

Follow/subscribe for more MLB coverage, predictions, and weekly episodes all year long.

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2026 American League Preview & Predictions: Division Winners, Playoff Teams & AL Champion Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

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!

2026 American League Preview:

AL East breakdown
AL Central predictions
AL West predictions
Wild Card teams
AL Champion

Who do you have winning the American League this year?

Follow/subscribe for more MLB coverage, predictions, and weekly episodes all season long.

0:00 Intro

03:02 Toronto Blue Jays

05:05 New York Yankees

07:34 Boston Red Sox

11:12 Baltimore Orioles

15:11 Tampa Rays

15:57 AL East Prediction

17:07 Cleveland Guardians

19:30 Detroit Tigers

22:16 Kansas City Royals

23:58 Minnesota Twins

24:52 Chicago White Sox

26:43 AL Central Prediction

27:53 Seattle Mariners

29:33 Houston Astros

30:55 Texas Rangers

32:23 Athletics

34:36 Los Angeles Angels

36:14 AL West Prediction

36:52 Wild Cards

39:20 AL Champion Prediction

40:47 MLB The Show Giveaway

42:55 Outro

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WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: VENEZUELA UPSETS USA + POSTGAME INTERVIEWS Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

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 INTRO
0:45 VENEZUELA DEF. USA
2:48 VENEZEULA WINS 1ST WBC CHAMPIONSHIP
3:45 MIGUEL CABRERA
4:15 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VENEZEULA
6:30 GLEYBER TORRES
7:30 VENZEULA WINS, 3-2
8:54 EUGENIO SUAREZ
9:50 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC RECAP
12:45 USA DISAPPOINTMENT
15:00 OUTRO

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WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: USA DOWNS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC + JAPAN FALTERS Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Ben Verlander breakdown the instant classic between the USA & Dominican Republic LIVE from the field in Miami. Ben also talks about the atmosphere and why attending a World Baseball Classic should be in every baseball fan's future. He talks about Japan failing to make it the Semis for the first time ever & also takes a brief look ahead.

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WBC Pool Play Ends: Japan Dominates, USA Survives, DR Looks Dangerous Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

World Baseball Classic pool play is officially in the books — and the drama delivered.

Team USA barely survived after a shocking loss to Italy, while Samurai Japan continued their dominant run and the Dominican Republic proved why they’re one of the tournament favorites.

In this episode, I break down what went wrong for Team USA, why Italy deserves way more credit than they’re getting, and which teams have been the most impressive so far in the WBC.

We also take a look at some of the great stories from pool play — including Canada advancing to the knockout stage for the first time ever and the incredible atmosphere created by fans around the world.

Plus, I re-rank the top teams left in the tournament and preview the upcoming quarterfinal matchups.

Quarterfinal matchups:

Korea vs Dominican Republic
USA vs Canada
Puerto Rico vs Italy
Venezuela vs Japan

The knockout stage is set — and the road to the World Baseball Classic championship is about to get even better.

0:00 Intro

1:29 Team USA disappointment

10:56 Team Italy dominates

13:50 Canada Advances

18:48 Latin America making WBC fun

25:55 Re-Ranking WBC team

31:00 QF matchups

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Historic USA vs Mexico Rivalry, Japan Clinches Tokyo Pool & DR Takes Over the WBC! Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

The World Baseball Classic is off the charts this year, and it’s not even halfway done! In this episode, we break down all the must-watch moments and biggest storylines so far:

Team Japan punches their ticket to Miami, dominating Pool C with a relentless lineup and unforgettable performances.
Team Korea pulls off an insane 3-way tiebreaker over Australia—7-2 in the 9th inning, ending in a celebration you have to hear to believe.
Team Dominican Republic is redefining fun in baseball, playing with energy, flair, and pure excitement. Forget the “old way”—this is baseball made for the fans!
Team USA sits 2-0 entering a massive clash against Team Mexico, fighting to break a 20-year losing streak in the WBC rivalry. Gunnar Henderson, Paul Skenes, and the squad bring intensity, emotion, and unforgettable highlights.

We also recap the other top teams, key players, and pool play drama, including Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, and more. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just tuning in for thrilling baseball, this episode has everything: historic rivalries, clutch plays, and a behind-the-scenes look at the excitement you can’t see on TV.

Tune in, subscribe, and get ready for all the WBC highlights, analysis, and stories that make this tournament one of the greatest spectacles in sports.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome

01:49 WBC Updates

14:00 USA vs Mexico

20:15 Team Japan

31:30 Upcoming WBC

34:00 Outro

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