Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

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Flippin' Bats is a fun baseball podcast bringing you everything you want from around the league! You'll hear from Hall of Famer John Smoltz every week, you'll hear from the game's best players, and you'll be up to date on everything around the league! Baseball. Is. Fun. And so is Flippin' Bats!

  1. ABS Challenge System Verdict: It's AWESOME! + Historic Rookie Weekend + Justin Verlander Year 21 Debut

    15 MIN AGO

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

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

    40 min
  2. Opening Day Reactions: Skenes Struggles, Tigers Make a Statement & Historic Rookie Debuts

    2 DAYS AGO

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

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

    21 min
  3. MLB 2026 Award Winners, MVP, and World Series Prediction

    5 DAYS AGO

    MLB 2026 Award Winners, MVP, and World Series Prediction

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

    37 min
  4. 2026 National League Preview & Predictions: Dodgers, Ohtani & the Race for the NL

    6 DAYS AGO

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

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

    46 min
  5. 2026 American League Preview & Predictions: Division Winners, Playoff Teams & AL Champion

    23 MAR

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

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

    46 min

  6. 18 MAR

    WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: VENEZUELA UPSETS USA + POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

    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 INTRO0:45 VENEZUELA DEF. USA2:48 VENEZEULA WINS 1ST WBC CHAMPIONSHIP3:45 MIGUEL CABRERA4:15 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VENEZEULA6:30 GLEYBER TORRES7:30 VENZEULA WINS, 3-28:54 EUGENIO SUAREZ9:50 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC RECAP12:45 USA DISAPPOINTMENT15:00 OUTRO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    18 min

  7. 16 MAR

    WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: USA DOWNS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC + JAPAN FALTERS

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

    29 min
  8. WBC Pool Play Ends: Japan Dominates, USA Survives, DR Looks Dangerous

    12 MAR

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

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

    36 min
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Flippin' Bats is a fun baseball podcast bringing you everything you want from around the league! You'll hear from Hall of Famer John Smoltz every week, you'll hear from the game's best players, and you'll be up to date on everything around the league! Baseball. Is. Fun. And so is Flippin' Bats!

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