Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

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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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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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

40:11 162 Games Played List

41:44 Outro
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ONE. WEEK. LEFT. 6 teams are in the playoffs and 6 teams still to go.

We talk through ALL the MLB Playoff Race scenarios as we enter the last week of the regular season.

Are the Houston Astros STILL Inevitable? We discuss their rollercoaster of a season

And one final MLB Regular Season Power Rankings!

What do you think? Who wins the AL West? Astros or Rangers?

#FlippinBats #MLB #astros #powerrankings

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:41 Roadtrip Update
2:56 MLB Playoff Races
4:10 American League Playoff Update
6:03 National League Playoff Update
9:00 Are the Astros Still Inevitable?
12:08 MLB Power Rankings
21:16 Outro
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John Smoltz joins the show to explain the change he’d make to the MLB playoff format and why he thinks it could make October even better.

We also debate whether pitchers should be able to win MVP, how much postseason experience really matters down the stretch, and what the Brewers and Rays clinching playoff spots says about the big-market vs. small-market debate in baseball.

Plus, Smoltz breaks down what separates teams when the pressure ramps up and the postseason gets closer.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:28 Smoltz joins
3:24 How Does Experience Help?
5:38 Should Pitchers Win MVP?
8:53 Rays/Brewers First Teams in Playoffs
12:36 How to Change Playoff Format
17:47 Outro
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