Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Shohei Ohtani makes history by passing Ichiro Suzuki for the longest on-base streak by a Japanese-born player in MLB history, reaching 46 games — and the viral broken Ichiro statue moment adds to the drama.

After a disappointing 76-86 season in 2025 that saw them miss the playoffs and the entire projected Opening Day rotation hit the IL, the Atlanta Braves are off to a hot 10-6 start in 2026. They lead the league in home runs and rank 3rd in batting average despite ongoing pitching injuries. Are the Braves legitimately back?

We also dive into whether Mason Miller is on track for Cy Young contention — the first closer to win the award since Eric Gagne in 2003. Miller is dominating with a 0.00 ERA, 19 strikeouts in 7.1 innings, and perfect save opportunities so far.

Plus, MLB power rankings shakeup (Dodgers holding strong, Braves rising, Padres jumping, Yankees sliding), our Team of the Week, and more early-season storylines.

What do you think — are the Braves back, and could a closer actually win Cy Young in 2026? Let us know!

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#MLB #Ohtani #Braves #MasonMiller #FlippinBats

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Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander to break down the hottest topics from the first week-plus of the 2026 MLB season.

We discuss the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System: Is it perfect? Is three challenges per team the right balance, or should MLB move to full ABS? Smoltz shares his unfiltered take as a former pitcher.

Then we relive the wild Braves-Angels brawl from Tuesday night, including Jorge Soler charging the mound and Braves manager Walt Weiss, Smoltz's former teammate, delivering a memorable tackle takedown.

Plus, the ongoing feud between Willson Contreras and the Brewers — especially Brandon Woodruff. Smoltz opens up about whether he ever had heated rivalries with specific teams or batters during his career.

We also cover the most surprising teams so far in 2026 — who’s exceeding expectations and who’s struggling early in the season.

What are your thoughts on the new ABS rules? Let us know in the comments or reviews!

Subscribe for weekly MLB conversations with John Smoltz and more all season long.

#MLB #JohnSmoltz #ABS #Braves #MLB2026

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:22 John Smoltz on ABS

6:16 Smoltz on Braves/Angels Brawl

10:33 Contreras vs Brewers Fued 

13:30 John Smoltz Surprising Teams 

17:32 Outro

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The Yankees are off to a historic start, led by a dominant rotation putting up one of the lowest ERAs to begin a season in over a century. We break down what’s fueling their early success, including standout performances from Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, and a healthy Giancarlo Stanton.

Plus, are the Pittsburgh Pirates actually for real? With elite pitching, emerging prospects, and a strong start to the season, Pittsburgh is forcing its way into the conversation.

We also dive into this week’s MLB Power Rankings, biggest risers and fallers, and highlight the top performers in our Team of the Week.

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The new ABS Challenge System is an absolute GAME-CHANGER for baseball. It fixed brutal missed calls, upheld the tight ones, got crowds roaring, and adds a fresh layer of strategy and excitement for fans. Best part? Challenges are lightning fast — often just 10 seconds.

Key ABS Stats from the Weekend:

This tech is here to stay, and I'm all in.

Then there's the insane rookie explosion — one of the best Opening Weekends for young talent in MLB history. A record number of top-100 prospects made Opening Day rosters, and several delivered immediately:

The youth movement is real — baseball's future looks bright.

Plus, a personal highlight: My brother Justin Verlander begins Year 21 today, back in a Detroit Tigers uniform for the first time in 9 years. Emotional stuff — Father Time still hasn't caught him.

I break down my full Power Rankings after the first weekend:

And my Team of the Week, including standouts like Shea Langeliers (3 HRs), Mike Trout (vintage mode with diving plays), Brandon Lowe, Brendan Donovan, and Chase DeLauter.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:43 ABS System is a hit 

10:38 Chase DeLauter is INSANE

13:04 Rookies showing out

17:30 Justin starts year 21

21:57 Power Rankings

33:20 Team of the Week

#MLB2026 #OpeningWeekend #ChaseDeLauter #ABSChallenge #JustinVerlander #MLBPowerRankings

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Opening Day is in the books and it delivered chaos, surprises, and some BIG early storylines across Major League Baseball.

Paul Skenes had a tough first outing and didn’t make it out of the 1st inning... but there’s more to the story than the box score.

On the other side, Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers looked dominant, raising the question: are they already the team to beat in the American League?

We also break down one of the most impressive Opening Days for rookies in recent memory. Kevin McGonigle’s historic debut, JJ Wetherholt going deep early, Chase DeLauter’s two-homer performance, and Carson Benge making an instant impact all headline a wave of young talent making noise right away.

Plus, Shohei Ohtani sets the tone for the Dodgers’ season with a powerful message to his teammates, the Mets’ revamped offense shows real promise, and several standout moments around the league.

From overreactions to real takeaways, this episode covers everything you need to know from an unforgettable Opening Day.

Be sure to follow/subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes throughout the season.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:35 New Look Mets

1:53 Paul Skenes tough luck 

5:03 Detroit Tigers look LEGIT

09:55 Dodgers are as advertised 

13:02 Murakami homers in MLB debut

14:37 Rookies shined on opening day

19:13 ABS System

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The 2026 MLB season is here! And it’s time for Ben's full World Series prediction and award picks.

In this episode, Ben breaks down his picks for Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP in both the American League and National League, along with his full playoff bracket and World Series champion.

There are a few award races that feel wide open… and at least one prediction that might surprise you.

Plus we're giving away a copy of MLB The Show 26. Listen for how to enter!

🏆 2026 MLB Predictions:

AL & NL Rookie of the Year

AL & NL Cy Young

AL & NL MVP

Full playoff bracket

World Series prediction

From stars like Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez, Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr., to rising young talent looking to break out, this season has no shortage of storylines.

Who do you have winning the World Series this year?

Follow/subscribe for more MLB coverage, predictions, and weekly episodes all season long.

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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?

Follow/subscribe for more MLB coverage, predictions, and weekly episodes all year long.

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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 INTRO
0:45 VENEZUELA DEF. USA
2:48 VENEZEULA WINS 1ST WBC CHAMPIONSHIP
3:45 MIGUEL CABRERA
4:15 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VENEZEULA
6:30 GLEYBER TORRES
7:30 VENZEULA WINS, 3-2
8:54 EUGENIO SUAREZ
9:50 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC RECAP
12:45 USA DISAPPOINTMENT
15:00 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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