Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

The Dodgers’ rotation is coming together at the perfect time, and October is starting to look scary for the rest of baseball.

We break down why the Dodgers are built for this time of year, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto dealing, Tarik Skubal joining the rotation, Blake Snell dominating, Tyler Glasnow getting closer and Shohei Ohtani working toward his return to the mound.

Plus, the Astros made major news by firing GM Dana Brown. What does the move mean for the organization, and what could be next for manager Joe Espada?

We also get into the Padres’ new ownership group and their aggressive plans for the future, unveil this week’s MLB Power Rankings, and recap the Little League Classic.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:07 Astros fire GM Dana Brown

6:54 Dodgers Coming Together Just in Time

10:30 Padres New Ownership ROCKS

15:00 New MLB Power Rankings

24:54 Little League Classic Recap

27:00 Outro

Are the Dodgers going to win 3 in a row?!

#MLB #Dodgers #Astros #Baseball #MLBPowerRankings
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John Smoltz makes his pick in the NL MVP race between Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong!

This week on Saturday with Smoltz, I ask the Hall of Famer who he would vote for right now in one of baseball’s biggest award races.

We also break down the absolute chaos in the American League Wild Card race and Smoltz gives his pick for which team ultimately gets in.

Plus, with the Little League Classic this weekend, Smoltz shares his favorite Little League memory and looks back at what it was like to be a player during the historic Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa home run chase in 1998.

Who gets your NL MVP vote right now, Shohei or PCA? Let me know in the comments!

#FlippinBats #MLB #JohnSmoltz #shoheiohtani #petecrowarmstrong #PCA #NLMVP

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:54 Smoltz's AL Wildcard Pick

5:03 Smoltz picks his NL MVP

11:11 Remembering the 1998 MVP Race

12:48 Favorite Little League Moment

15:58 Outro
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Could Shohei Ohtani actually leave the Dodgers? Reports surrounding Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter have raised major questions about his financial empire, and because of a unique clause in Ohtani’s contract, Dodgers fans are wondering what it could mean for Shohei’s future in Los Angeles.

On this week’s This Week in Shohei Ohtani, I break down what’s actually happening with Walter, why this does NOTmean the Dodgers are broke, how Ohtani’s key man clause works, and what would have to happen for it to become relevant.

Plus, we have the latest on the NL MVP race between Ohtani and PCA, another big week at the plate for Shohei, and an encouraging pitching update as he continues working toward a potential return to the Dodgers rotation in September.

In this episode:• What’s actually happening with Mark Walter• Are the Dodgers in financial trouble?• Could Ohtani’s contract clause allow him to leave?• Why Ohtani’s deferred money isn’t suddenly at risk• Shohei vs. PCA in the NL MVP race• Ohtani’s latest offensive surge• The latest on his return to pitching

Let's hear it... Who is Your NL MVP Pick?

Timestamps:

0:00 Are the Dodgers in Trouble?

7:00 NL MVP Race

11:56 Shohei's Offensive Week

14:00 Latest Pitching News

15:40 Outro

#ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers #MLB #LosAngelesDodgers
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The American League playoff race is absolute CHAOS. With six teams separated by just 1.5 games in the Wild Card race, I’m breaking down the contenders and making my picks for which six teams ultimately make the AL playoffs.

Plus, the White Sox just went into Detroit and swept the Tigers in their biggest series of the season. Did Detroit blow its chance to make a run at the AL Central? And are the Blue Jays actually the team best positioned to grab the final Wild Card spot?

We’ll also unveil this week’s MLB Power Rankings, talk about the Brewers taking over baseball’s top spot, the Dodgers’ recent struggles, and everything that made this year’s Field of Dreams experience so special.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:47 AL Wild Card CHAOS

2:38 My 6 AL Wild Card Picks

7:56 Tigers Blow Golden Opportunity

11:31 White Sox Dominate HUGE Series

15:10 New MLB Power Rankings

25:33 Field of Dreams Experience

30:25 Ohtani Donates 7 Figures

31:00 Outro
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Is there reason to be concerned about Paul Skenes?

John Smoltz joins me for another Saturday with Smoltz to break down Skenes’ recent struggles, what he’s seeing from the Pirates ace, and whether there’s anything to worry about moving forward.

We also get Smoltz’s take on one of the strangest plays you’ll see all season involving MLB’s “fourth out” rule, plus he shares a personal story about his Field of Dreams experience and what that game meant to him and his family.

Are you concerned about Paul Skenes or not? Let me know in the comments!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:42 Concerned About Paul Skenes?

5:15 Wild 4th Out Rule

9:30 Smoltz' Emotional Field of Dreams Experience

11:59 Outro

#PaulSkenes #JohnSmoltz #MLB #Pirates #Baseball
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