Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

On this week’s episode we dive into the 3 biggest stories in baseball right now:


Tarps Off in STL — The best fan energy in all of sports right now. How a group of college kids from Stephen F. Austin started a shirtless movement that has taken over Busch Stadium and even got manager Oliver Marmol buying out sections for fans.


The Phillies Are Back — After a slow start, Philadelphia is rolling under Donnie Baseball. Christopher Sanchez is the Cy Young favorite, Zack Wheeler is dealing, and Kyle Schwarber already has 20 homers.


What’s Wrong with the Mariners? — My preseason AL West and AL Champion favorite is struggling badly. We break down their terrible offense, the Cal Raleigh regression, and why their pitching hasn’t been enough to save them.

Plus full MLB Power Rankings and Team of the Week.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:29 Rivalry Weekend Recap

2:45 Shirtless in St. Louis?!

6:12 Phillies are ROLLING

10:31 Mariners Surprising Struggles

15:34 MLB Power Rankings

26:48 Team of the Week

32:15 Outro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Smoltz opens up about the passing of his legendary manager Bobby Cox — one of the greatest managers in MLB history and a true father figure to so many players.

In this heartfelt conversation, Smoltz shares incredible stories, memories, and lessons from his years playing under Cox with the Atlanta Braves. From Cox’s intense competitiveness and leadership style to funny moments, life lessons, and what made him so special behind the scenes.

We discuss:

What Bobby Cox was really like as a manager and person
His impact on Smoltz’s career and the Braves dynasty
Hall of Fame legacy and why he meant so much to generations of players

Rest in Peace, Bobby Cox. One of the all-time greats.

What’s your favorite Bobby Cox memory or story? Drop it in the comments below.

#BobbyCox #JohnSmoltz #AtlantaBraves #MLB #flippinbats

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:00 John Smoltz on Bobby Cox
13:26 Outro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chicago Cubs are off to one of the best starts in franchise history — multiple 10-game win streaks, leading MLB in OBP, wRC+, and WAR, and the best defense in baseball. Are they real World Series contenders who can beat the Dodgers and Braves?

Plus, we break down why Junior Caminero is already a superstar at just 22 years old — 45 HR last season, 10 HR already in 2026, and looking like a future MVP.

And the Houston Astros continue to be the most unlucky team in baseball — 16 players on the IL this year after setting the record for most injured team in MLB history in 2025. What’s going on with this injury curse?

Full MLB Power Rankings + Team of the Week breakdown included.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:39 Are the Cubs World Series contenders?
5:20 Junior Caminero is a superstar
8:46 Bad luck Houston Astros
13:04 MLB Power Rankings
22:44 Team of the Week
27:43 Outro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Smoltz on Tarik Skubal’s Elbow Procedure, Framber Valdez Meltdown & Sign Stealing Rumors

John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander for a candid conversation on the biggest stories in MLB right now.

We discuss Tarik Skubal’s elbow procedure and what it means for the Tigers’ ace. Then we break down Framber Valdez’s ugly ejection after giving up 7 earned runs, throwing at Trevor Story after back-to-back homers, and the ongoing mental side of his game. The Tigers desperately need Framber to step up as the leader of their staff, can he handle it?

Plus:

Sign stealing rumors and how prevalent it was during Smoltz’s playing days

Remembering broadcasting legend John Sterling — Smoltz shares fun stories

Remembering Ted Turner — classic stories from Smoltz’s time with the Braves

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:18 - John Smoltz Joins

1:25 - Smoltz on Skubal Elbow Surgery

5:11 - Can Framber Valdez lead a staff?

7:14 - Smoltz discusses sign stealing

11:30 - Smoltz remembers John Sterling

12:37 - Smoltz remembers Ted Turner

14:44 - Outro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shohei Ohtani delivered his longest pitching performance of 2026 — going 7 innings for the first time this season and as a Dodger (since his second elbow surgery).

He struck out 8, walked zero, and threw 89 pitches with 15 whiffs in a dominant outing.

Yet the Dodgers continue to give him ZERO RUN SUPPORT! They’re just 2-7 in his last 9 starts and have scored nothing in his last 19 offensive innings on the mound. Ohtani now has a ridiculous 0.70 ERA (just 4 earned runs in 51.2 innings).

On the offensive side, Shohei busted out of a major slump: 0-for-18, his second-longest hitless drought of his career, and 0-12 in one series.

Am I worried? Will he be fine? Should he focus on one or another? Ben will answer it all this episode!

Plus: Ohtani’s honest (and mature) comments on his slump, NL Pitcher of the Month honors, and more.

#FlippinBats #MLB #shoheiohtani #dodgers #shohei #ohtani

SUBSCRIBE to get the latest Flippin’ Bats with Ben Verlander content which includes a WEEKLY "This Week in Shohei Ohtani News": https://www.youtube.com/flippinbatspod?sub_confirmation=1

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:06 - Shohei Ohtani pitching performance
9:13 - Shohei Offensive Struggles
11:04 - Ben Verlander Guarantee
12:00 - Shohei Offensive Struggles
15:55 - Dramatic HBP
16:53 - NL Pitcher of the Month
17:47 - Outro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices