Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Latest Episodes:

Brewers Take 2-0 World Series Lead Over Rays + Exclusive On-Field Reaction & Interviews Oct 25, 2026

Show notes

Are the Milwaukee Brewers taking OVER the World Series?!

The Brewers have jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, and I'm coming to you straight from the FIELD at the 2026 World Series!

After an incredible first two games in Milwaukee, I'm breaking down the biggest moments, standout performances, and what we've learned about both teams. Can the Rays turn things around as the series shifts to Tampa Bay, or are the Brewers on their way to their first World Series championship?

PLUS, I'm taking you behind the scenes of the World Series with exclusive sights and sounds from Milwaukee, player interviews from Media Day, and a firsthand look at what it's like to cover baseball's biggest stage!Is this series already slipping away from Tampa Bay?

Let me know your predictions in the comments!

#WorldSeries #Brewers #Rays #MLB #FlippinBats

Timestamps:

0:00 Brewers Up 2-0 in World Series

3:09 The Milwaukee Experience

6:45 Are the Rays done?

8:18 How the Rays can come back

9:10 World Series heads to Tampa

10:08 Outro

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John Smoltz Previews the 2026 World Series: Rays vs. Brewers, Predictions & Key Matchups Oct 23, 2026

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Who REALLY has the edge in the 2026 World Series? Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander on Saturday with Smoltz to break down the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Milwaukee Brewers matchup!

Smoltz dives into the biggest advantages for each team, the pitching matchups that could decide the series, the players who could make the difference, and what it takes to win on baseball's biggest stage.

He even recounts experiences from his World Series daysWho wins it all?! Brewers or Rays?

Subscribe to Flippin' Bats for more MLB coverage, exclusive interviews, and weekly conversations with John Smoltz! #FlippinBats #MLB #World Series #brewers #rays

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:19 John Smoltz Joins the Show

2:05 World Series Preview

5:42 Will the Sweep Hurt the Brewers?

7:44 Who Has the Biggest Advantage?

12:41 John Smoltz World Series Experience

16:44 The Rays WILL Win the WS If....

17:31 The Brewers WILL Win the WS IF...

18:06 Outro

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Brewers vs. Rays: 2026 World Series Preview, Predictions & Key Matchups Oct 20, 2026

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The World Series NOBODY expected might turn out to be one of the BEST we've ever seen!

The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are heading to the 2026 World Series, and I couldn't be more excited about this matchup. Two No. 1 seeds. Two smaller-market teams. Two franchises chasing their FIRST World Series championship. This is baseball at its finest!

I'm breaking down everything you need to know about Brewers vs. Rays, from starting pitching and bullpen matchups to elite defense, baserunning, and the incredible young stars who could take over this series.

Plus, why Jackson Chourio, Junior Caminero, and Jacob Misiorowski could make this World Series unforgettable, and my official prediction for who will be crowned World Series champions!

Who do YOU have winning the World Series, and in how many games? Let me know in the comments!

#WorldSeries #Brewers #Rays #MLB #Baseball

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

3:19 Battle of the #1 Seeds

8:24 Rays/Brewers Matchup Breakdown

19:55 There are SUPERSTARS

22:27 World Series Prediction

29:15 Outro

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John Smoltz on the Brewers Sweeping the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani & the World Series Oct 16, 2026

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The Milwaukee Brewers just SWEPT the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending their quest for a third straight World Series title. So what went wrong for one of the most talented teams in baseball? Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins me to break down how the Brewers took down the Dodgers, what went wrong for Los Angeles, and whether Milwaukee has what it takes to win the World Series. Plus, we discuss Shohei Ohtani's postseason struggles, what this loss means for the Dodgers moving forward, and the latest from the ALCS. Were the Dodgers exposed, or are the Brewers simply the better team? #MLB #Dodgers #Brewers #JohnSmoltz #MLBPlayoffs Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:36 John Smoltz joins the show 2:23 Smoltz Reacts to Dodgers getting SWEPT 14:09 How Do You Beat the Dodgers? 18:06 Who Matches Well vs Brewers? 20:15 Smoltz on Sustained Success 22:41 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani May Have Finally Figured It Out... Is It Too Late for the Dodgers? | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News Oct 15, 2026

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Shohei Ohtani hasn't hit a home run in 25 consecutive games, has just ONE RBI in nearly two months, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are now down 3-0 in the NLCS. But did we finally see signs of Shohei turning things around? After another frustrating loss, I'm breaking down Ohtani's historic power drought, the ridiculous conversation about benching him, and why I actually believe he may have figured something out at the plate in Game 3. Plus, why the Dodgers' biggest problem right now goes far beyond Shohei Ohtani. Is it too late for the LA Dodgers? #ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers #MLBPlayoffs #NLCS #TWISON Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:41 Shohei hurt and struggling 4:43 Shohei has figured it out?! 6:47 Are the Dodgers done? 11:10 Outro

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Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS + Guardians vs. Rays ALCS Preview & Predictions Oct 11, 2026

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The 2026 MLB Championship Series are officially set, and Ben Verlander is breaking down both matchups and making his predictions for who will advance to the World Series!

Can the Milwaukee Brewers finally get revenge on the Los Angeles Dodgers after last year's NLCS sweep? Ben breaks down the biggest keys to the series, the Dodgers' pursuit of a third straight World Series title, Shohei Ohtani's struggles, and what Milwaukee needs to do to pull off the upset.

Over in the American League, the Cleveland Guardians are coming off an incredible comeback against the Chicago White Sox. Can José Ramírez and the Guardians keep their momentum going against the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays?

Plus, Ben looks back at the biggest performances from the Division Series, highlights the players who stood out, and reveals his ALCS and NLCS picks and World Series predictions.

Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:50 Guardians Win ALDS Game 5 5:15 Dodgers vs Brewers NLCS Preview 21:54 Guardians vs Rays ALCS Preview 30:12 Top 5 Players from the Division Series' 31:18 Outro

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John Smoltz on the Yankees' October Failures + Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Preview Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

The New York Yankees are heading home early once again, and Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander to discuss why the Yankees continue to fall short in October and what needs to change moving forward.

Plus, Smoltz previews the Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS, breaking down what Milwaukee needs to do to take down Los Angeles and what could make the Dodgers so difficult to beat.

Ben and John also discuss the winner-take-all Game 5 between the Guardians and White Sox, the impact of using starting pitchers in relief during the postseason, and the Braves' elimination against the Dodgers.

Finally, Ben asks Smoltz about a growing narrative among Braves fans: Does he go too far trying to remain neutral when calling Atlanta games?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:30 John Smoltz Joins

2:15 What Do Yankees Do Now?

5:22 Starters Coming in out of Bullpen

11:41 Braves/Dodgers Recap

14:13 Brewers Beat Dodgers IF...

15:51 Dodgers Beat Brewers IF...

16:38 Outro

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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

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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