Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平) breaks HR record, Orioles' fountain saga, Paul Skenes query & Power Rankings

Ben Verlander and Alex Curry bring you the latest MLB news including Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani breaking Hideki Matsui's record for most home runs by a Japanese born player in MLB history. Ben also talks about the Baltimore Orioles' fountain saga where Colton Cowser accidentally threw Craig Kimbrel's 422nd save ball, tying Billy Wagner for 7th all-time, into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium. Ben also breaks down why Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes should still be in AAA. Verlander also updates his weekly MLB Power Rankings & 'Team of the Week'.
02:30 - Intro
2:30 - 4:37 Ohtani breaks Hideki Matsui's HR record
4:37 - 10:59 Orioles' fountain saga
10:59 - 17:13 Paul Skenes Should be in big leagues
17:13 - 21:15 Phillies have best rotation in NL
21:15 - 28:22 Dodgers can't win WS as constructed
28:22 - 39:40 Power Rankings
39:40 - 47:12 Team of the Week
#FlippinBats #MLB #ShoheiOhtani #losangeles #dodgers #losangelesdodgers #baltimore #orioles #pittsburgh #pittsburghpirates
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Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平) breaks HR record, Orioles' fountain saga, Paul Skenes query & Power Rankings
• Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平) b...

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Should Paul Skenes be in the big leagues?

[@DogerslLakersKingsRamsLA]

WHO??

[@mattadams7558]

He won't save the Pirates. He's not ready to be a starter in MLB. He has zero success at the major level. Why is this an issue?

[@BassYakCam]

Yes

[@JohnCW4]

Yes. He has all the stuff to succeed in the MLB. Also, I drafted him on my fantasy team.

[@shaindaman13]

He’s pretty dominating. I don’t know. What would it hurt for him to develop his endurance at the big league level?Put him in a pitch count limit and turn him lose.

[@rhea-anncouch2703]

How do we not talk about the week had by Travis D’Arnaud?! Three homer game including a grand slam. Also Marcell Ozuna is on an absolute tear with a 17 game hit streak and is leading the league in homers. Really???

[@BassYakCam]

Your team is number 1 in power rankings. Chill

[@philliptrimble8616]

I'm with ya on it. As a big braves fan

[@yateswebb]

Bc it didn’t happen in Los Angeles

[@chrisrumsey5186]

They gonna ride ohtani even know the dodgers are a average team

[@MrTopgun624]

No mention of d'Arnaud. Travesty.

[@tav1996productions]

Not picking Travis d'arnaud for catcher in team of the week is WILD

[@rhea-anncouch2703]

Right??? How is he not catcher of the week?

[@yateswebb]

This show is quickly losing my interest. It’s like they don’t actually watch what’s happening

[@tav1996productions]

@@yateswebb I don't know what it's like to keep up with every player on every team. I'm sure it impossible to get it perfect. I think Atlanta fans probably pick up on stuff like this more because the bias in media against the Braves is so blatant.

[@MrTopgun624]

@@tav1996productions Good point, well thought out!

[@DEE-Reece22]

Yes but it's hard to miss a three home run game with one being a grand slam ​@@tav1996productions

[@wendymejia3686]

Ozuna and d’arnaud not being on team of the week is a slap in the face honestly.

[@SynthMan65]

I mean, If you weren't watching the Braves this week, and apparently Ben wasn't, it's a shame.

[@JessmanChicken86]

Hey, I'm disappointed there were no Phillies on the team, but I understand my biases.

[@johnraynor4412]

@@JessmanChicken86pretty sure Turner is still in Philly. LoL

[@mmh1088]

Colton and Jordan’s post game dual interview yesterday was great. Jordan: “that’s a really far throw, I didn’t realize” Colton: “yeahhh, I don’t want to talk about it” 🤣💀

[@mattadams7558]

Cough cough D'arnaud had four homers this week and single handedly gave the Braves the series against TX cough

[@johnraynor4412]

The Braves are 10-2 against last seasons final 4. 2-1 vs Phillies, 3-0 vs Astros, 2-1 vs Rangers, 3-0 vs D-Backs.

[@joshuabombardieri3113]

If you look deeper it’s the last 4 team to make it to the World Series in the last two seasons

[@Jbryan23]

Great post here! Looking forward to getting Murphy back healthy at catcher and getting Ozzie back healthy. Acuna has not really even hit his stride yet nor Riley and pitching has been just so so, but if the starters get rolling and Acuna gets rolling, the team will be even further dangerous to deal with!

[@KOhya-ko2bh]

thank you

[@landonposton5367]

Nobody is talking about the absolute HAVOC d’Arnaud made against the rangers? Lol

[@yateswebb]

Alex didn’t even know that happened

[@mattadams7558]

How do the Phillies sweep the Rockies and White Sox and jump to 4?!? Maybe strength of schedule should be taken into account.

[@oneamerica195]

Love this channel!

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@CarlosRuiz-gs2pz]

For the Dodgers the bullpen is worrisome right now, however same thing happened last year and they improved to best in baseball. Bottom of lineup sucks right now and does need help.

[@mattadams7558]

Braves played the Rangers in Atlanta btw

[@canesrule96]

As a Braves fan no doubt the Phillies have the best rotation. However, Sale has looked way better than his ERA. Lopez has also been great

[@MrHipp00]

Let's go!

[@agonyst_the_cursed]

Ben.. the Rangers and Braves played in Atlanta. Not Arlington but thank you for putting the Braves back in first where they belong.

[@omgbygollywow]

I have to agree with Ben regarding the Dodgers questionable pitching rotation and bullpen, even with the pitchers due to come back from injuries. Anything can happen. This is baseball. But most likely the predictor of future performance is past performance, so I see the skepticism for the Dodgers going to, let alone winning the World Series.

[@mattadams7558]

Ummm past performance has to be levied against the Phillies too. They only succeed when they are fueled by disrespect and emo kid feelings. They go up against a team that doesn't give them bulletin board material and they fold hard

[@matthewsnyder66]

Hey, what happened in the first few seconds of the KZbin episode? It sounds like it cut out some introductory dialogue . . .

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Just a quick sound bite

[@shaindaman13]

I agree with Ben about the Dodgers. They’re not really close as is. I mean that bullpen is bad. Bottom of the lineup are automatic outs. Not quite there.

[@mattadams7558]

Ummm have you seen the Phillies bottom third? Cast at .177avg/.477OPS? Stott .244/.577? Rojas .264/.630? Hell, Realmuto is at .233/.634 batting cleanup. Try again

[@XSprouted]

I think it'd be interesting to learn about all the rookies that are popping off this year.

[@FlippinBatsPod]

We got you next episode.

[@omgbygollywow]

Players are being called up earlier and earlier. I don't know if it's good for their development or not. Look at Jackson Holiday, who is hitting .033. Is it good or bad for a player in the long run?

[@joshsungasong]

How many times can Ben say "dong bong" with Alex not laughing?

[@jsayther]

Whaaaaaaat? She doesn't think the Dodgers have any issues as constructed... 🤔🤔🤔🤷‍♂️

[@omgbygollywow]

How much is that home run ball worth? Also, how do they authenticate the ball? How do they know which ball Shohei would hit for a home run and mark it for authentification?

[@fastforward1680]

I know it is still very early, but I am very curious IF Shohei is able to hold on to his average and actually challenge or possibly end the season with .400 BA being the first person since Ted Wililams to do so in 1941 and potentially breaks the 2Bs record, will he be able to get a MVP this year over Mookie Betts? Let's also say his HRs are modest...say 30 and SBs are say 30 as well...and finally he collects close to 220 hits. The only thing he has against him as usual are he is a DH AND he is doing really poorly in RISP (evidenced again by his K with bases loaded 2 nights ago).

[@RunForPeace-hk1cu]

It’s 22 games into the season … too early to talk about .400 As for RISP, it evens out over 162games. The key is he’s barreling… making contact over 105mph

[@elijahsmith4359]

The main difference between the Yankees this year and last year is the ability to manufacture runs and work pitch counts up. The Yankees this year average 4.5 rpg and that is without Aaron Judge being Aaron Judge. Also not to mention the Yankees have the 3rd best ERA in baseball without the best pitcher in baseball even playing. This team is going to be so dangerous and scary when Judge gets rolling because if Volpe gets on, Soto walks your left with do you pitch to Judge or pitch to Stanton with the bases loaded

[@omgbygollywow]

Can they call up Skenes and have him be a middle innings reliever? Maybe just put him in on non-leveraged situations to just ease him into the MLB atmosphere and get his feet wet and see how he does.

[@brandonbooth3231]

Westy and the Milkman. 2024 WS champs 🏆

[@Isaac-qe2in]

I didn't know that you were an acquaintance of Spencer Turnbull. Why did he force his way out of Detroit?

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

Royals and Brewers, as well as Guardians and Cubs are all in Ben and Alex's top 10. Don't think that too many people had that on their bingo cards before the season.😆

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

Mets also are a surprise so far. And they have not had Senga or J.D. Martinez.

[@mickeyellison7929]

Ozuna?!?!? Where is he?!?!

[@srh361]

What??? No Travis d'arnou??????

[@GoatOnGanja]

I know my Ms didnt make the top ten buuuuut they do look like they are figuring things out expect to see them break the top ten by end of April top 5 by Mid may number one team in August. . . . Stay tuned for results!

[@Michael-kf7gm]

Why are we celebrating most HRs by a specific ethnicity of person? Is one ethnicity more or less capable of hitting HRs? Which Cuban has the most HRs? Dominican? Colombian? Is 176 great for Japanese but you have to get 300 before you’re recognized for being Dominican? Do you see how this might be construed as a bit racist? C’mon Ben and Alex…do better. The best way to combat racism is to not talk about it. Wouldn’t it sound ridiculous if we were talking about how many HRs were hit by a red head?

[@yateswebb]

Brewers move down 2 with the best record in baseball lmao. Dodgers being in front of brewers and guardians is honestly criminal.

[@Thomas-Chophouse]

Each week the narrative has to drastically change bc this show makes such strong statements. Dodgers moved to number 1 in power rankings last week. By the next show they are near .500. Phillies last week..well they are doing their normal early season struggle out of the top 10. Now world beaters after sweeping the Rockies and White Sox lol

[@gilesnowaksmustache-2629]

Phillies aren't out of the Top 10, they're #4. Not sure what you meant.

[@mattadams7558]

Its sad when Alex comes off as the impartial one.

[@user-J_100]

Shohei just hit another home run, guess flipping bats is gonna dedicate an hour to him

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Nope. Just 8 minutes every Thursday.

[@user-J_100]

Shohei was unmemorable over the weekend and Ben and Alex devoted half the episode to him again Meanwhile, Travis is hitting almost ONLY homeruns for the Braves and he wasn’t brought up …

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Every Thursday in case you were wondering.

[@mel-nq6re]

Half? Get back to class, and learn your fractions. 😏

[@wind_runner6836]

I agree with Ben the Dodgers are cooked they just dont have the depth that you need in a long season. Yamamoto may not figure it out it wouldn't be the first time a big-time Japanese pitcher came in and didn't do well, I mean Fuji was very good in Japan and yet he is a reliever now. No doubt it's a good league but it isn't on the same level as the MLB considering that the MLB gets the best of the best from around the world. I think he has a better chance than most to figure it out but this is his rookie season for all intents and purposes and expecting him to be a cy young his first year is a bit foolish if you ask me. Then look at teams that are better take the O's their whole lineup and bench hits, they have Burns and Grayson, and they will have Bradish soon which is a better one two three than the Dodgers. They have so much money on the books i dont even think they can grab up anyone of real significance at the trade deadline.

[@KeyKiller74]

Sadaharu Oh 🤔868 HR en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadaharu_Oh

[@FlippinBatsPod]

How many were in MLB?

[@florida1289]

Don't sleep on the Detroit Tigers. Teams hitting .208 vs Detroit pitching staff best in baseball. They got a ton of power arms up and down their rotation. Skubal may win cy and bullpen is best in baseball. Detroit notoriously starts hitting as it heats up, Tork, Greene, Carpenter all excellent bats. Major question will be defense....unearned runs has cost them 4 or 5 games this year, already. Get that fixed they'll be there in Oct. Division is much better, too.

[@Isaac-qe2in]

Tigers opening day starters up the middle: Jake Rogers, Javier Báez, Colt Keith, Parker Meadows- Their combined avg OPS thru 22 games: 0.419 > OPS Jake Rogers: 0.329 Javier Báez: 0.471 Colt Keith: 0.444 P. Meadows: 0.432 The strength of a team should be up the middle, so they need a whole lotta heating up, cuz this is not gonna get it done!

[@mel-nq6re]

Tork an excellent bat?? This must be some Tork that I'm not aware of... it sure can't be Spencer Torkelson. 😏

[@mattadams7558]

The Phillies fans still boo plenty. Some of us watched them get owned in Philly by the Braves to start the season. Those fans booed, Stan😂😂😂

[@TKO-1503]

Ben you’re really growing on me as of last season, you’re like king of the hill. It isn’t for everybody and an acquired taste. But once you like, it quickly becomes some of your favorite entertainment. Good on you bro hope this show grows more. Your co host is cool because she’s a dodger fan so I guess she gets a pass.

[@FlippinBatsPod]

I appreciate that!

[@dylanvauiso6910]

I just wish Alex could be a bit more of an objective host. I understand rooting for your team, but in a lot of cases it's as if she is only paying attention to her boys in blue and ignores a lot of the rest of the league. Just becoming a very predictable show I guess. I don't mind her at all, I just wish she came across as more of an overall Baseball fan rather than an LA fan

[@yateswebb]

Y’all know how I know u don’t watch the braves? You thought we played the Rangers in Texas 😅 this is amateur hour stuff cmon now

[@willpina]

After the week they had, the Dodgers shouldn't be in the top 5. I would out them behind the Mets and move everyone else 1 spot up

[@mattadams7558]

Ben is determined to be the world's biggest hypocrite to keep stanning for the Phils.

[@kyleknapp1985]

Poor Alex. She’s so delusional and thinks the dodgers are the best team in

[@onehandclapping3094]

Took matsui a career. Took ohtani a few days 😂

[@adrich4816]

The Phillies have played nobody, Braves played a ton of playoff teams from last year.

[@flavorstone7932]

Braves fan here, we have the worst starting pitching in the National league. We’re only bailed out by our lineup

[@Thomas-Chophouse]

Sale, Morton, Lopez, & Vines all gave a quality start this past week though.

[@ProfessorDarkness88]

Sir, we're nowhere near the worst. Please calm down. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jayu3697]

Have you seen us Mets?

[@chaffusturner2107]

Yea u tripping astros was 6-1 then 6-2 and 5-4 rangers 8-3,5-2 and lost so 5-1 weeks and they have played the four world series contenders the last two years and they are 10 and 2 against them but I guess

[@Kristingail]

They have the largest run differential in the NL (tied with brewers) with +35. Not to mention they’ve played less games than everyone. Don’t think that can happen if they’re bailed out by the lineup 🤦‍♀️ I stg this fanbase is spoiled asf

[@mattadams7558]

I loathe the Dodgers but going from "The Phillies have two great pitchers so they have the blueprint to win October" to "the Dodgers ONLY have Bobby Miller and Tyler Glasnow" is ridiculous. Yamamoto anyone? Just shows how stupid the "experts" get about the Phillies. Lineup issues? Phillies start Cristian Pache. Playoff success? Phils only get good against teams they hate because they run on toxic frat bro energy and Dodgers have a more recent WS.

[@Kristingail]

I hate the Phillies, but their pitching is great and has been doing great. They always seem to stay healthy as well (top guys anyway).

[@mattadams7558]

@@Kristingail I'm not saying Wheeler and Nola aren't great. I'm saying that pointing to the Dodgers and saying they only have Glasnow, the reigning Cy Young, and Bobby Miller as "proof" they cant win the WS when they also have Japan's Cy Young, Yamamoto, and Walker Buehler on the way but the Phillies "have the blueprint" with two great pitchers is hypocritical

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

Dodgers have a mid season tournament trophy.

[@mattadams7558]

@@_Jake.From.Statefarm_ Better than a "We beat the Braves again" trophy

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

@@mattadams7558 Not by much.

[@dylanzink9551]

Dude you need to do research before you talk Verlander. #clueless

[@FlippinBatsPod]

???

[@harmonydavis6784]

Dodger and Tigers fans here the Dodgers shouldn't even be in the top 10 right now I don't think, but we'll see how this week goes