# Cubs Are Legit World Series Contenders! Astros Injury Nightmare + Junior Caminero is a STAR

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/flippin-bats-with-ben-verlander-3663614/cubs-are-legit-world-series-contenders-astros-injury-nightmare-junior-caminero-is-a-star
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/flippin-bats-with-ben-verlander-3663614/cubs-are-legit-world-series-contenders-astros-injury-nightmare-junior-caminero-is-a-star.md
Podcast: [Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander](https://stenobird.com/podcast/flippin-bats-with-ben-verlander-3663614)
Published: 2026-05-12T19:16:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/RLDER1507123259.mp3
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/RLDER1507123259.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/flippin-bats-with-ben-verlander-3663614/episodes/cubs-are-legit-world-series-contenders-astros-injury-nightmare-junior-caminero-is-a-star
Duration seconds: 1845

## Resource

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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