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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WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: USA DOWNS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC + JAPAN FALTERS

Live talk radio from Brian Kilmeade, FOX Across America, and Guy Benson, plus the FOX News primetime programs. Listen to The Five, Special Report with Bret Baier, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingle, Shannon Bream and more!

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World Baseball Classic pool play is officially in the books — and the drama delivered.

Team USA barely survived after a shocking loss to Italy, while Samurai Japan continued their dominant run and the Dominican Republic proved why they’re one of the tournament favorites.

In this episode, I break down what went wrong for Team USA, why Italy deserves way more credit than they’re getting, and which teams have been the most impressive so far in the WBC.

We also take a look at some of the great stories from pool play — including Canada advancing to the knockout stage for the first time ever and the incredible atmosphere created by fans around the world.

Plus, I re-rank the top teams left in the tournament and preview the upcoming quarterfinal matchups.

Quarterfinal matchups:


  
Korea vs Dominican Republic



  
USA vs Canada



  
Puerto Rico vs Italy



  
Venezuela vs Japan




The knockout stage is set — and the road to the World Baseball Classic championship is about to get even better.



0:00 Intro

1:29 Team USA disappointment

10:56 Team Italy dominates

13:50 Canada Advances

18:48 Latin America making WBC fun

25:55 Re-Ranking WBC team

31:00 QF matchups
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WBC Pool Play Ends: Japan Dominates, USA Survives, DR Looks Dangerous

The World Baseball Classic is off the charts this year, and it’s not even halfway done! In this episode, we break down all the must-watch moments and biggest storylines so far:


  
Team Japan punches their ticket to Miami, dominating Pool C with a relentless lineup and unforgettable performances.



  
Team Korea pulls off an insane 3-way tiebreaker over Australia—7-2 in the 9th inning, ending in a celebration you have to hear to believe.



  
Team Dominican Republic is redefining fun in baseball, playing with energy, flair, and pure excitement. Forget the “old way”—this is baseball made for the fans!



  
Team USA sits 2-0 entering a massive clash against Team Mexico, fighting to break a 20-year losing streak in the WBC rivalry. Gunnar Henderson, Paul Skenes, and the squad bring intensity, emotion, and unforgettable highlights.




We also recap the other top teams, key players, and pool play drama, including Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, and more. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just tuning in for thrilling baseball, this episode has everything: historic rivalries, clutch plays, and a behind-the-scenes look at the excitement you can’t see on TV.

Tune in, subscribe, and get ready for all the WBC highlights, analysis, and stories that make this tournament one of the greatest spectacles in sports.



Chapters:

00:00 Welcome

01:49 WBC Updates

14:00 USA vs Mexico

20:15 Team Japan

31:30 Upcoming WBC

34:00 Outro
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Historic USA vs Mexico Rivalry, Japan Clinches Tokyo Pool & DR Takes Over the WBC!

🔥 The 2026 World Baseball Classic is here — and this might be the most loaded tournament we’ve ever seen.

20 teams. 4 pools. 2 weeks. 1 champion.

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know:

🇺🇸 Team USA – No More ExcusesThis is tournament number six. The U.S. has won once. With Aaron Judge wearing the captain’s “C,” a loaded lineup, and real pitching depth, it’s time to stop talking and start winning. We dive into their dominant 15–1 exhibition performance and why the pressure has never been higher.

🇯🇵 Japan – The JuggernautThree-time champions. Seven MLB players, including Shohei Ohtani, plus elite stars from NPB. Don’t sleep on the names you don’t recognize — Japan might still be the best team in the world.

🇩🇴 Dominican Republic – A SuperteamVladdy. Soto. Tatis. Machado. Julio. And that’s just the lineup. Managed by Albert Pujols, this team brings unmatched energy and star power. Is this the most talented roster ever assembled in WBC history?

We also cover:

⚾ Full pool predictions & knockout bracket⚾ Why WBC insurance rules are becoming a major issue⚾ The impact of Jurickson Profar’s suspension⚾ USA vs Japan finals prediction

First pitch from the Tokyo Dome is here — and the global baseball stage is set.

Who wins it all: USA, Japan, or the Dominican Republic?

Let’s break it down. 🎙️🔥


00:00 Welcome
00:45 WBC Preview
03:20 Team USA Preview
07:12 Team Japan Preview
10:35 Team Dominican Republic Preview
14:00 WBC Insurance Issues
23:38 Jurickson Profar Suspension
28:05 WBC Predictions
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World Baseball Classic 2026: USA, Japan, or Dominican Republic?

Ben Verlander welcomes Los Angeles Dodgers' Kyle Tucker to the show. They discuss what made him choose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, first impressions of Shohei Ohtani & so much more!
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LOS ANGELES DODGERS' KYLE TUCKER ON SHOHEI OHTANI, WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC & FREE AGENCY

Ben Verlander welcomes Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to the show! They discuss Skubal's decision to play in the World Baseball Classic and how much USA Hockey fired him up to play in the WBC. He also discusses his offseason dealing with arbitration and the Tigers signing Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez & so much more!

CHAPTERS:00:00 INTRO01:50 TARIK SKUBAL JOINS03:00 SPRING TRAINING04:30 HOW'S JUSTIN VERLANDER AS A TEAMMATE?09:00 THE OFFSEASON10:50 ARBITRATION PROCESS15:35 DID YOU KNOW ABOUT FRAMBER?16:50 TIGERS ROTATION18:00 THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC20:00 USA HOCKEY FIRING UP MLB24:00 USA'S BASEBALL DREAM TEAM25:40 2026 TIGERS BASEBALL29:00 TIGERS' YOUNGSTERS30:00 ADVICE TO YOUNG BASEBALL PLAYERS33:00 OUTRO
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DETROIT TIGERS' TARIK SKUBAL ON WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC, ARBITRATION & TIGERS' BIG OFFSEASON

MLB Spring Training news and reactions.



We discuss the Yankees Spring Training sewage situation, Bo Bichette at third base, Shohei Ohtani WBC update, Tarik Skubal pitching one game for Team USA, Arte Moreno comments, and recent MLB signings including Rhys Hoskins, Jack Suwinski, and Michael Conforto.



CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

03:00 Skubal WBC Update

06:20 Yankees Sewage Nightmare

09:35 Bo Bichette Defense

14:25 Arte Moreno Comment

19:20 Shohei Ohtani Updates

24:28 Miguel Rojas Interview



Subscribe for weekly MLB news, reactions, player interviews, and more!
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Yankees Sewage Nightmare, Shohei Ohtani WBC Updates, Tarik Skubal WBC News and Bo Bichette Defense

Ben Verlander talks about what he thinks of the 2026 Detroit Tigers and his thoughts on the saga between the Philadelphia Phillies & Nick Castellanos. Ben also comments on how the ABS system will affect MLB tv viewing moving forward.
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TIGERS TO THE WORLD SERIES? NICK CASTELLANOS FRESH START + STRIKE ZONE GONE!

Ben Verlander previews the World Baseball Classic now that the rosters have been set. He also talks about the best lineup, rotation & team in the WBC. The Detroit Tigers surprised the baseball world by giving Framber Valdez the highest AAV for the left-handed pitcher & Tarik Skubal also won his record arbitration deal. That and so much more on Flippin' Bats.

CHAPTERS:00:00 INTRO01:30 TIGERS SIGN FRAMBER VALDEZ07:00 TARIK SKUBAL'S RECORD DEAL18:00 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC PREVIEW19:30 POOL A23:10 POOL B29:00 POOL C31:50 POOL D35:50 BEST LINEUP38:30 BEST ROTATION39:50 BEST TEAM42:50 TOP 10 TEAMS46:30 OUTRO
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WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC PREVIEW + TIGERS SIGN FRAMBER VALDEZ & TARIK SKUBAL'S RECORD DEAL

Ben Verlander is back with the latest news in baseball. Ben hits on the Boston Red Sox after their trade of Jordan Hicks to the White Sox and revists the Rafael Devers trade. He also touches on the Chicago White Sox sneaky good offseason. Ben touches on Eugenio Suarez signing back with the Cincinnati Reds and why no one else was in on him. Finally, Ben talks about the latest World Baseball Classic news. 
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GIANTS FLEECED RED SOX IN DEVERS TRADE, REDS SIGN SUAREZ + LATEST WBC NEWS

Ben Verlander is back with another new episode of Flippin' Bats! Ben talks about the New York Mets big backup plan after missing out on Kyle Tucker by adding Bo Bichette & Freddy Peralta to the roster. Ben also talks about the drama between the Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers being very far apart on their arbitration numbers. Then, he touches on the Texas Rangers huge trade for Washington Nationals ace Mackenzie Gore & the remaining free agents available. 
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NEW YORK METS BIG BACKUP PLAN + TIGERS' DRAMA & RANGERS HUGE TRADE

Ben Verlander is finally back from his wedding & honeymoon to recap and breakdown all the latest big offseason moves in the MLB. The reigning champs signed the biggest free agent again this offseason in Kyle Tucker, the New York Mets pulled Bo Bichette away from the Philadelphia Phillies and more!

00:00 INTRO01:30 BICHETTE TO METS08:00 BREGMAN TO CUBS13:00 WHAT DO THE PHILLIES DO?19:30 TUCKER TO DODGERS25:00 DODGERS BAD FOR BASEBALL?28:30 WHAT DO THE YANKEES DO?38:00 WEDDING & HONEYMOON40:30 OUTRO
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HUGE MLB OFFSEASON MOVES: LOS ANGELES DODGERS THE NEW EVIL EMPIRE?

Ben Verlander is back with some big MLB news as NPB Stars Tatsuya Imai & Kazuma Okamoto sign with their respective MLB clubs: The Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are far away the best American League team despite the New York Yankees being the betting favorite. Ben also gives his Top 3 Wedding Requests for things he would like to see get done by the time he comes back from his honeymoon!
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NPB STARS TATSUYA IMAI & KAZUMA OKAMOTO FIND THEIR NEW MLB HOMES + MORE OFFSEASON NEWS

Ben Verlander is back with another fresh episode of Flippin' Bats. This episode Ben gets you caught up on all the most recent trades including the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and more. He also breaks down Munetaka Murakami signing with the Chicago White Sox. Ben also gives his Top 3 moves so far this offseason and his thoughts on Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.
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METS, RED SOX MAKE BIG TRADES, TOP 3 OFFSEASON MOVES + MUNETAKA MURAKAMI SIGNS

MLB's Winter Meetings are underway and we already have three blockbuster signings to kickoff the offseason. Ben Verlander is back with another episode of Flippin' Bats to breakdown these moves and what it means for these teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets.
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BLOCKBUSTER MLB FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: PETE ALONSO ON THE MOVE

Ben Verlander talks through the Hall of Fame vote over the weekend with the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee having their turn. A committee of 16 people with a ballot some of the all-time MLB greats. Some big names did NOT get in while one potentially shocking name did.

The Winter Meetings get underway in Orlando, FL meaning big moves are coming SOON! Do the Pittsburgh Pirates pull the trigger on Kyle Schwarber? Does he go back to the Philadelphia Phillies?

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome
00:45 Recent Offseason Moves
02:15 Hall of Fame Vote
04:20 Voting Results
05:35 Congratulations Jeff Kent
08:07 Barry Bonds DENIED
13:15 Is Dale Murphy a Hall of Famer?
19:38 Pirates ACTUALLY Going For It?
23:45 Outro

#FlippinBats #MLB #barrybonds #MLBHallofFame #halloffame #DaleMurphy #kyleschwarber #pittsburghpirates 



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Barry Bonds DENIED Hall of Fame Once Again + Winter Meetings Get Underway

Ben Verlander is back with another new edition of Flippin' Bats and this week it is the MLB Free Agency extravaganza. Ben breaks down his Top 10 MLB free agents and their possible new franchises. Ben also breaks down the latest trade between the Texas Rangers & the New York Mets. 

CHAPTERS:00:00 INTRO01:00 METS-RANGERS TRADE10:30 TOP 10 FREE AGENTS11:00 FREE AGENTS 10-624:45 FREE AGENTS 5-144:30 OUTRO
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TOP 10 MLB FREE AGENTS & THEIR POSSIBLE NEW TEAMS + RANGERS & METS TRADE

Ben Verlander is back again to recap the end of the MLB Season and to recap the MLB Awards where Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees Aaron Judge repeat as MVPs & so much more!
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SHOHEI OHTANI & AARON JUDGE REPEAT AS MVPS + MLB AWARD RECAP

Ben Verlander is back to recap the wild World Series between Los Angeles Dodgers & Toronto Blue Jays. Dodgers won a wild Game 7 to become back-to-back World Series Champs.
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SHOHEI OHTANI & LOS ANGELES DODGERS ARE BACK-TO-BACK WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

Ben Verlander and John Smoltz are back once again to talk everything about World Series Game 6 so lock it and get dialed in before the BIG GAME!
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