Episodes
Ben Verlander updates his weekly MLB Power Rankings with a new team cracking the Top 10. Ben discusses the RED HOT Houston Astros a top the AL West, while the Seattle Mariners continue to slide with their abysmal offense. Ben also talks about what both teams need to do at the trade deadline. Ben gives his opinion on why the Detroit Tigers need to keep & extend Tarik Skubal after rumors of teams looking to trade for the Tigers' ace & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 07/23/24
Ben Verlander recaps his trip to MLB All-Star Week in Dallas, Texas. Ben talks about the infamous National Anthem, the wild home run derby, Paul Skenes' outing, Shohei Ohtani's home run and more. Ben also welcomes in Hall of Famer John Smoltz to discuss his takeaways from the All-Star Game, what he saw from Paul Skenes, his one bold prediction for the second half and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 07/18/24
Ben Verlander discusses his Top 3 things to watch for at this year's MLB All-Star Game including how many stolen bases Elly De La Cruz will get, will Shohei Ohtani hit a home run and more. Ben also discusses some of the most surprising storylines from the first half including Atlanta Braves' Reynaldo López, the Texas Rangers & more. Finally, Ben gives his final MLB Power Rankings of the 1st half. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 07/16/24
Ben Verlander welcomes back MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz back to the show. Ben and John discuss the Atlanta Braves' troubles after losing Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider for the year. They also discuss whether or not the MLB needs to change the All-Star game voting process and Smoltz gives his favorite All-Star Game memory. Smoltz also discusses Nolan Ryan and what it was like watching him pitch and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 07/13/24
Ben Verlander brings you everything MLB All-Star Game related after the American League & National League rosters were announced and he gives his Top 3 snubs and surprises. Ben also breaks down the big New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox series this past weekend where the Red Sox continue to stay hot and the Yankees continue to struggle. Ben talks about Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player this season to reach 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Ohtani had 20 stolen...
Published 07/09/24
Ben Verlander welcomes back Atlanta Braves legend & MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz to Flippin' Bats. Ben and John discuss a loaded AL MVP race and who is currently in the lead. They also discuss whether or not Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes should be an MLB All-Star and what the Chicago Cubs & Toronto Blue Jays should do at the trade deadline after lackluster starts to the season. Smoltz also gives his favorite Willie Mays story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 07/06/24
Ben Verlander discusses the new MLB Home Run Derby rules for 2024, Bobby Bonilla day and what the Chicago Cubs need to do at the trade deadline. Ben also updates his weekly MLB Power Rankings, talks about Shohei Ohtani's incredible two week stretch, and whether or not the Houston Astros are officially back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 07/02/24
Ben Verlander gives you his updated MLB Power Rankings with the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees battling it out for the top spot. Ben also gives his Top 3 most surprising & disappointing teams with the Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees and Houston Astros making those lists. Ben answers some fan questions & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 06/25/24
Ben Verlander welcomes Baltimore Orioles legend and MLB Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. back to the show. Ben and Cal talk about Gunnar Henderson and his ceiling as well as how last year's postseason birth will help the Orioles this season. They also discuss the Orioles' new ownership, how wild it is that Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts is playing shortstop, what Cal saw in Jackson Holliday's debut & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 06/18/24
Ben Verlander welcomes Atlanta Braves' legend John Smoltz back to Flippin' Bats for another edition of 'Saturdays with John Smoltz'. Ben and Smoltz discuss if the combo of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge is the best 1-2 punch of all-time, share some early thoughts on the upcoming trade deadline and Smoltz shares his favorite David Justice stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 06/08/24
Ben Verlander and Alex Curry bring you everything you need to know about Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 'This Week In Shohei Ohtani News' including the Dodgers' recent struggles of late. Ben and Alex also discuss who the Cleveland Guardians should target at the trade deadline. They also revisit whether or not Yoshinobu Yamamoto's contract has been worth the money & whether or not it's time to worry about the Houston Astros after they lost two more starting pitchers to Tommy John...
Published 06/07/24
Ben Verlander welcomes 2x World Series winner and 3x All-Star David Justice to show. Ben and Justice discuss his years spent with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, what it was like playing during the peak of the Steroid Era, and what the biggest change in baseball has been since the 90s. Justice also shares some of his favorite John Smoltz and Bobby Cox stories and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 06/05/24
Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss New York Yankees Aaron Judge's pace to be the fastest player to 300 home runs and how teams need to make more moves before the All-Star break. Ben updates his weekly MLB Power Rankings and he gives his 'Team of the Month'. They also discuss the Detroit Tigers optioning Spencer Torkelson to AAA & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 06/03/24
Ben Verlander welcomes Atlanta Braves' legend John Smoltz back to Flippin' Bats for another edition of 'Saturdays with John Smoltz'. Ben and Smoltz discuss what the Atlanta Braves’ next step without MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., if Juan Soto is going to stay a New York Yankee long term and why Bryce Harper fits with the Philadelphia Phillies so well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 06/01/24
Ben Verlander and Alex Curry bring you everything you need to know about the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 'This Week In Shohei Ohtani News' including Ohtani nursing a hamstring injury. Ben and Alex also discuss where the Atlanta Braves go after losing Ronald Acuña Jr., the Negro Leagues finally having players in the MLB record books, Ángel Hernández retiring, and Jorge López’s unfortunate afternoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 05/31/24
Ben Verlander welcomes the Baltimore Orioles young superstar Gunnar Henderson to the show. Ben and Henderson discuss the Orioles hot start to the season and the impact that bringing in veterans such as Corbin Burnes and Craig Kimbrel has had on the team. The pair then break down the Orioles’ new ownership and the energy they’ve brought to the team and Henderson explains what the postseason experience was like last season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 05/29/24
Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss the injury to Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto’s upcoming free agency and if he’ll stay with the New York Yankees or not, the Philadelphia Phillies being on pace for the best season in franchise history and if the Kansas City Royals’ young superstar Bobby Witt Jr. is the most underrated player in MLB. Ben then updates his weekly MLB Power Rankings & Team of the Week and Alex has a special birthday surprise. Learn more about your ad...
Published 05/27/24
Ben Verlander welcomes Atlanta Braves' legend John Smoltz back to Flippin' Bats for another edition of 'Saturdays with John Smoltz'. Ben and Smoltz debate whether Shohei Ohtani can win MVP as a DH for the Los Angeles Dodgers or if the Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz can steal his way there. They then discuss what the best offseason trade was and which division races are already look like they will come down to the wire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 05/25/24
Ben Verlander and Alex Curry bring you everything you need to know about the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 'This Week In Shohei Ohtani News,' including Ohtani’s first walk-off hit in Dodgers blue. Ben and Alex also revisit and give a confidence rating for all of their AL and NL preseason awards as well as their World Series picks. Ben and Alex also provide an update on the 2026 World Baseball Classic, break down Bryce Harper’s promposal assist & more. Learn more about your ad...
Published 05/24/24
Ben Verlander welcomes 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star starting pitcher Zac Gallen to the show. Ben and Gallen discuss Arizona’s run to the World Series last season, sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and what game planning in the Fall Classic is like. The pair then discuss if Zac is the biggest sneakerhead in MLB and he shares some stories about hosting Jack Flaherty during his time at the University of North Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 05/23/24
Ben Verlander welcomes Boston Red Sox’s Kenley Jansen to Flippin’ Bats and they discuss transitioning from a catcher to a closer, signing out of Curaçao, and his Los Angeles Dodgers’ days. He also talks about the importance of Atlanta Braves legend Andruw Jones, how Curaçao produces so many MLB players, the Red Sox stellar rotation & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 05/22/24
Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss who is the top team in the American League between the Baltimore Orioles & New York Yankees. The AL MVP race heats up with New York Yankees' Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Baltimore Orioles' Gunnar Henderson & Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker continue to battle it out a third of the way through the season. Ben answers the question whether or not Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes is a top 10 pitcher in MLB after his last stellar start & Ben also updates his...
Published 05/20/24
Ben Verlander welcomes Atlanta Braves' legend John Smoltz back to Flippin' Bats for another edition of 'Saturdays with John Smoltz'. Ben and Smoltz break down Paul Skenes’ electric first MLB start for the Pittsburgh Pirates and discuss if the San Diego Padres turned themselves into contenders by trading for Luis Arráez. Finally, the pair debate if the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 1-2 punch of Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts is better than Aaron Judge and Juan Soto of the New York Yankees. Learn more...
Published 05/18/24
Ben Verlander and Alex Curry bring you everything you need to know about Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 'This Week In Shohei Ohtani News'. Ohtani became the first player in MLB with double digit steals and home runs. Ben also talks about the state of MLB City Connects after the Los Angeles Dodgers' second city connect was leaked. Ben also discusses Houston Astros' Ronel Blanco being ejected and suspended for sticky substances & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 05/17/24