PODCAST · sports
Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander
by FOX Sports
Flippin' Bats is a fun baseball podcast bringing you everything you want from around the league! You'll hear from Hall of Famer John Smoltz every week, you'll hear from the game's best players, and you'll be up to date on everything around the league! Baseball. Is. Fun. And so is Flippin' Bats!
Episodes
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John Smoltz on the Brewers Sweeping the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani & the World Series
The Milwaukee Brewers just SWEPT the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending their quest for a third straight World Series title. So what went wrong for one of the most talented teams in baseball? Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins me to break down how the Brewers took down the Dodgers, what went wrong for Los...
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Shohei Ohtani May Have Finally Figured It Out... Is It Too Late for the Dodgers? | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani hasn't hit a home run in 25 consecutive games, has just ONE RBI in nearly two months, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are now down 3-0 in the NLCS. But did we finally see signs of Shohei turning things around? After another frustrating loss, I'm breaking down Ohtani's historic power...
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Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS + Guardians vs. Rays ALCS Preview & Predictions
The 2026 MLB Championship Series are officially set, and Ben Verlander is breaking down both matchups and making his predictions for who will advance to the World Series! Can the Milwaukee Brewers finally get revenge on the Los Angeles Dodgers after last year's NLCS sweep? Ben breaks down the...
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John Smoltz on the Yankees' October Failures + Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Preview
The New York Yankees are heading home early once again, and Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander to discuss why the Yankees continue to fall short in October and what needs to change moving forward. Plus, Smoltz previews the Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS, breaking down what Milwaukee needs to...
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Shohei Ohtani's Alarming Slump Continues Into October + Is He Still Hurt?
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'...
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Wild Card Recap, Division Series Preview & John Smoltz Joins the Show
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…
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2026 MLB Playoff Preview: World Series Pick, Shocking Playoff Predictions and more + The Justin Verlander Farewell Weekend
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...
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Are the Astros Still Inevitable? + ONE WEEK LEFT MLB Playoff Race Update
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...
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John Smoltz Has An Idea to FIX the MLB Playoffs + Should Pitchers Be Able to Win MVP?
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...
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Aaron Judge Is Wrong About Pitchers Winning MVP + MLB Playoff Races Heat Up | MLB Power Rankings
Aaron Judge says pitchers shouldn’t be able to win MVP because they already have the Cy Young Award. I completely disagree. We break down why pitchers absolutely should remain eligible for MVP and why the argument against them doesn’t make sense. Plus, the playoff races are getting wild with the...
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John Smoltz Remembers Piazza’s Iconic 9/11 Home Run + Shohei’s Two-Way Future
John Smoltz joins the show to reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and one of the most unforgettable nights in baseball history. Smoltz shares what it was like being on the field at Shea Stadium when Mike Piazza hit his iconic home run, why the night felt so special, and why that moment seemed...
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Shohei Ohtani Hits the IL... Is He Done Pitching FOREVER?
Shohei Ohtani is officially heading to the IL and is done pitching for the rest of the season. But does this mean we should start questioning his future as a two-way player? We break down the latest on Ohtani’s injuries, Dave Roberts admitting the Dodgers should have put him on the IL sooner, and...
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Phillies HATE RONALD ACUNA, Blue Jays are BACK?! + ABSURD Ump Show | MLB Power Rankings (MLB Recap)
Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Phillies brought the drama this weekend, while an umpire somehow found himself at the center of controversy after confronting a pitcher making his MLB debut. We break down all of that, plus the Blue Jays’ resurgence, the Mariners and Orioles falling apart, the latest on...
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What Should the Dodgers Do With Shohei Ohtani? John Smoltz Weighs In + AL Cy Young Pick Dylan Cease or Cam Schlittler | Saturday with Smoltz
John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander to discuss what the Dodgers should do with Shohei Ohtani as he continues to battle injuries heading into October. Should Ohtani keep building up as a starter, focus solely on hitting, or could a bullpen role make sense for the postseason? Plus, Smoltz makes his AL…
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Shohei Ohtani’s Injuries Are Starting to Affect Him | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani has been battling knee and biceps issues for months, and now those injuries may be taking a toll on his performance at the plate. After a four-strikeout game and an extended offensive slump, Dave Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani may need some time to rest. Ben breaks down Ohtani’s...
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Pete Crow-Armstrong Is My NL MVP Over Shohei Ohtani + 5 Teams That Can Beat the Dodgers | New MLB Power Rankings
I’ve been riding with Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP all season, but it’s time for me to admit it: I was wrong. Pete Crow-Armstrong has changed my mind, and I explain why he’s now my pick for MVP. Plus, we break down a huge Yankees-Red Sox series, the Astros surviving the chaos, Tarik Skubal’s…
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John Smoltz on the Dodgers’ SCARY October Rotation! The Braves STATEMENT Series + Astros’ Shocking GM Firing
Can anyone stop the Dodgers if their rotation is finally healthy for October? John Smoltz breaks down Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound and what this loaded Dodgers staff could look like in the postseason. Plus, Smoltz reacts to the Astros firing their GM while in first place, the Braves…
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Shohei Ohtani Could Return to the Mound Sunday + His MVP Case Is Heating Up | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani could be back on the mound for the Dodgers as soon as Sunday. Ohtani has taken some major steps toward his pitching return, including facing live hitters and continuing to build up on the mound. We break down the latest on when he could pitch, why he won’t need a rehab assignment…
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The Dodgers’ October Plan Is Coming Together PERFECTLY + Astros FIRE GM, Padres New Ownership is AWESOME & MLB Power Rankings
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...
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John Smoltz Picks His NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani or PCA? + AL Wild Card CHAOS
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...
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Could Shohei Ohtani Leave the Dodgers? The Mark Walter Situation Explained | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
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.…
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The AL Playoff Race Is CHAOS… WHO GETS IN?! Murakami and the White Sox DOMINATE Tigers! + MLB Power Rankings
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...
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Should We Be Worried About Paul Skenes? John Smoltz explains + His Emotional Field of Dreams Experience and Crazy 4th Out Rule
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…
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Shohei Ohtani Takes Another Step Toward Pitching Return | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to returning to the mound. After not pitching since July 3, Ohtani has now thrown on back-to-back days as he continues working his way toward his next bullpen session. We break down the latest on Ohtani’s pitching timeline, what his recent stolen base could tell us...
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Tigers are HOT, Yankees Found Their Star SS + A New Team Atop the MLB Power Rankings
The Detroit Tigers are officially making some noise in the American League — and this might be more than just a hot streak. We break down Detroit’s surge, Troy Melton’s incredible season, Jackson Jobe’s return and why this Tigers rotation could be a serious problem down the stretch. Plus, the...
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PCA or Shohei Ohtani? John Smoltz Settles the NL MVP Debate + MLB Trade Deadline Winners and Losers
The NL MVP race is officially on. This week, John Smoltz joins the show to break down the biggest debate in baseball: Shohei Ohtani or Pete Crow-Armstrong for National League MVP? Is elite defense more valuable than elite pitching? Who has the stronger overall case? We also discuss: ⚾ John…
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Shohei Ohtani vs. Pete Crow-Armstrong: Who Deserves NL MVP? | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
The NL MVP race is officially here. For months, Shohei Ohtani looked like the runaway favorite. Now, Pete Crow-Armstrong has forced his way into the conversation, and after an incredible head-to-head showdown, it's time to ask the question... Who deserves the National League MVP? In this week's...
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MLB Trade Deadline Winners & Losers + Why "Prospects Are Suspects"
The MLB Trade Deadline is over, and it's time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. This week, I explain why "prospects are suspects" is more than just a saying, look back at some of the biggest blockbuster trades in MLB history, and rank my biggest winners and losers from this year's...
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John Smoltz Shares Untold Hall of Fame Stories of Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, and Carlos Beltran
Hall of Fame Weekend is over... but John Smoltz has stories you probably haven't heard. We talk about baseball's newest Hall of Famers, share stories about each of them, behind-the-scenes moments from Cooperstown, and why Hall of Fame Weekend means so much to everyone who's been part of it. Who…
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ESPN's New Shohei Ohtani Podcast + Injury Update | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
ESPN has released a brand-new 30 for 30 podcast series, The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani, bringing the Ippei Mizuhara scandal back into the spotlight more than two years later. But why now? I listened to the entire series and break down what is actually new, what isn't, and whether this story needed...
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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 Teams That Need to Buy + Hall of Fame & Power Rankings
The MLB Trade Deadline is almost here... and there are FIVE teams that NEED to buy. The problem? I don't trust them to actually do it. Who made my list? And which team has me more frustrated than ever? Plus: ⚾ My latest MLB Power Rankings 🏛️ Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones & Jeff Kent are…
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John Smoltz on Shohei Ohtani's MVP Case + The One Thing He'd Trade for Another World Series Ring
John Smoltz joins me for another edition of Saturday with Smoltz, and this week we start with the biggest question in baseball: Should Shohei Ohtani still be the favorite to win the National League MVP? We break down Shohei's latest injury update, what it means for the Dodgers, and whether the…
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Shohei Ohtani's Injury Cause NL MVP Shakeup? Tarik Skubal Trade News, Red Sox Surging & MLB Power Rankings | Flippin' Bats
Shohei Ohtani won't pitch again for some time because of his knee—but does that finally open the door for a new National League MVP? In today's episode, I explain why I still believe Shohei is the clear MVP, even if he doesn't throw another pitch this season, and break down what Dave Roberts'...
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Shohei Ohtani Wins ESPY + Latest Knee Update | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani's latest ESPY win has baseball fans debating one question: Was it the greatest single-game performance ever? In this week's This Week in Shohei Ohtani News, I explain why I believe the award was deserved, react to the debate surrounding Shohei's historic performance, and discuss why…
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MLB All-Star Week Recap + Exclusive Player Interviews
Ben takes you behind the scenes of MLB All-Star Week, recapping everything from Media Day, the Red Carpet, the Home Run Derby, and the MLB All-Star Game while sharing exclusive conversations with some of baseball's biggest stars. This episode features interviews and moments from throughout the...
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John Smoltz Explains Why Justin Verlander Is the Last of His Kind
With Justin Verlander officially announcing his retirement, I sat down with Hall of Famer John Smoltz to reflect on one of the greatest pitching careers in baseball history which just so happens to be accomplished by my brother. We discuss what made Justin so special, the moments that defined his...
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Shohei Ohtani's Historic 300th Home Run | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani has reached another unbelievable milestone. This week on This Week in Shohei Ohtani News, we break down why Shohei's 300th career home run is so much more than just another number. From becoming the 5th-fastest player in MLB history to 300 home runs to continuing to build one of the...
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My Brother Justin Verlander is Retiring
Today is a day that I always knew had to come eventually, but never believed it would actually happen. My brother, Justin Verlander, has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. In this video, I share my thoughts on his incredible career, what he's meant to me as a brother,...
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2026 MLB All-Star Snubs, Power Rankings & Team of the Month
The 2026 MLB All-Star rosters are officially set, and there are several players who should have made the team. In this episode, I break down my biggest All-Star snubs, discuss who deserves to start the All-Star Game on the mound, react to Mike Trout's 12th All-Star selection, and talk about the...
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Should the Tigers Trade Tarik Skubal? + John Smoltz on the Yankees, Astros & Pitch Velocity
This week on Saturday with Smoltz, John Smoltz joins me to discuss one of baseball's biggest trade deadline questions: Should the Tigers consider trading Tarik Skubal? We also break down whether the Yankees should be concerned about their recent struggles, why the Astros remain a legitimate…
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Why Shohei Ohtani Won't Pitch in the 2026 All-Star Game | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani will NOT pitch in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game... but there's a very good reason why. On this week's This Week in Shohei Ohtani News, I break down why the Dodgers pushed Ohtani's schedule back, why it means he won't take the mound in Philadelphia, and why I actually think it was the...
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The Rafael Devers Debate, Phillies Surging in NL East & MLB Power Rankings
Is Rafael Devers getting an unfair reputation? On today's episode, I explain why I think the conversation surrounding Devers has gone too far and why his teammates tell a much different story than the headlines. Then it's time for this week's MLB Power Rankings. The Phillies continue their surge,...
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John Smoltz on the Shohei Ohtani & Dalton Rushing Drama + MLB Trade Deadline and more
John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander for another edition of Saturday with Smoltz on Flippin' Bats. This week, they dive into the biggest story in baseball: the on-field miscommunication between Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers rookie catcher Dalton Rushing. Smoltz explains whether he experienced similar...
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Shohei Ohtani & Dalton Rushing's Miscommunication + Another Dominant Start | This Week in Shohei Ohtani News
Shohei Ohtani and rookie catcher Dalton Rushing couldn't seem to get on the same page early in Wednesday's start... and it led to one of the most frustrating innings of Shohei's season. Then everything changed. In this week's 'This Week in Shohei Ohtani News', we break down the miscommunication...
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PCA Having MVP Season, Nick Kurtz Best 1B in MLB? + Shohei Ohtani Dad Strength | MLB Power Rankings
Is Nick Kurtz becoming the next superstar in Major League Baseball? On this episode of Flippin' Bats, we break down the incredible rise of Nick Kurtz, who is putting together one of the best offensive seasons in baseball at just 23 years old. From leading the American League in RBIs to posting...
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Saturday with Smoltz: How Serious Is Shohei Ohtani's Blister? + Braves Concerns Growing
Could Shohei Ohtani's blister become a serious problem as he chases one of the most historic seasons in baseball history? This week, Hall of Famer John Smoltz joins the show to discuss the growing concern surrounding Shohei Ohtani's blister issue and how difficult it can be for pitchers to…
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Jacob Misiorowski Just Threw One of the Greatest Games in MLB History, White Sox prove they are LEGIT + MLB Power Rankings and more
Did Jacob Misiorowski just throw one of the greatest games in MLB history? On this episode, we break down a truly historic performance from the Brewers’ young ace and ask the question everyone is now talking about: is Jacob Misiorowski already one of the best pitchers in baseball? We dive into…
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Is Shohei Ohtani Having The Greatest Season Ever? Leads MLB in ERA AND OPS
Is this the greatest season we’ve ever seen in baseball history? In this week’s This Week in Shohei Ohtani News, we break down another unbelievable stretch from Shohei Ohtani as he continues to dominate both as a pitcher and a hitter at the same time. Ohtani currently leads MLB in both OPS and…
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Roki Sasaki's Emergence, Astros A Playoff Team?! + Aaron Judge Injury Update | MLB Power Rankings
Has Roki Sasaki finally arrived?After an up-and-down start to his MLB career, Roki Sasaki is beginning to look like the dominant pitcher baseball fans were promised. We break down his recent surge, what's changed, and why his latest outing may be the clearest sign yet that he's figuring things…
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Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平) or Deion Sanders? John Smoltz Has His Answer
Is Shohei Ohtani the greatest athlete of all time? This week, John Smoltz joins the show to weigh in on one of the biggest debates in sports. Smoltz not only faced some of the greatest athletes ever—he was also teammates with Deion Sanders. So when it comes to comparing Deion and Shohei Ohtani…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Flippin' Bats is a fun baseball podcast bringing you everything you want from around the league! You'll hear from Hall of Famer John Smoltz every week, you'll hear from the game's best players, and you'll be up to date on everything around the league! Baseball. Is. Fun. And so is Flippin' Bats!
HOSTED BY
FOX Sports
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander have?
Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander currently has 774 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander about?
Flippin' Bats is a fun baseball podcast bringing you everything you want from around the league! You'll hear from Hall of Famer John Smoltz every week, you'll hear from the game's best players, and you'll be up to date on everything around the league! Baseball. Is. Fun. And so is Flippin' Bats!
How often does Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander release new episodes?
Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 774 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander?
You can listen to Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander?
Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander is created and hosted by FOX Sports.
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