Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

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
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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
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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

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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
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Ben Rice Is the Best Hitter in Baseball?! Murakami Leads MLB in HRs + Cardinals Surprise

Ben Rice has taken over the Yankees, the former platoon hitter is now dominating with a 219 wRC+, leading MLB in OPS, SLG, and OBP while hitting .327 with 10+ homers. Is he the best hitter in baseball right now?

Munetaka Murakami is a STUD. The White Sox believed in him when no one else would, now he leads all of MLB with 13 home runs in his first 32 career games (3rd-most ever) and has a 159 OPS+.

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the biggest surprises in baseball at 20-14 in a rebuild year! Jordan Walker has completely figured it out. How?

Plus:

Latest Power Rankings (Yankees climb. Dodgers drop.)

Team of the Month highlights (Ohtani, Mason Miller, Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez & more)

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Munetaka Murakami
4:53 - Cardinals hot start
9:20 - Ben Rice is a star
12:13 - Power Rankings
25:58 - Team of the Month
33:34 - Outro
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John Smoltz on Red Sox Chaos, Phillies Firing Rob Thompson & Power Rankings Debate

John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander for his weekly breakdown of the biggest storylines in MLB.

We dive into the Boston Red Sox drama: What’s really going on with the organization after their coaching shakeup?

Then we ask the tough question on the Philadelphia Phillies: Was firing Rob Thompson the right move, or is it still too early to panic on this talented (but struggling) roster?

Plus:

Power Rankings debate — Braves, Dodgers or Yankees at #1 right now?

Smoltz shares his funniest mound visit story of all time

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
2:19 - Red Sox Fiasco
7:38 - Phillies Bad Start
11:29 - Smoltz #1 Team in Power Rankings
13:40 - Funniest Mound Visit Story
16:21 - Outro
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