Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

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?

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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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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
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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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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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