2026 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #18

Second in the AL Central, Chicago leans heavily on an offense carrying elite 2026 production to fuel their title push. Meanwhile, Southwest Detroit sits at .500 in the AL East, looking to pull off a statement upset. Expect a fierce battle of depth as Southwest Detroit attempts to quiet the Mobsters’ bats.

Chicago’s offense gave Rogers all the support he needed early on. Jackson Chourio kicked off the scoring with an RBI single in the second inning, and Riley Greene added a run-scoring double in the fourth. Xavier Edwards capped the scoring with an eighth-inning solo home run, ensuring a hard-luck loss for Ranger Suarez.

Final Score: Chicago 3 – Southwest Detroit 0

Win: Rogers, Trevor 9-1 (2.27)
Loss: Ranger Suarez 7-9 (2.85)

However, Chicago completely broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth. Willy Adames delivered a clutch two-run triple, Jackson Chourio hit an RBI single, and Riley Greene punctuated the outburst with a towering two-run home run off Drew Pomeranz. The five-run explosion sealed the victory for Cameron and handed Andrew Abbott the loss.

Final Score: Chicago 8 – Southwest Detroit 2

Win: Noah Cameron 10-2 (3.01)
Loss: Andrew Abbott 7-8 (3.83)

Luzardo cruised through seven innings, striking out seven and overcoming a brief Fighting Chihuahuas rally in the fifth and sixth frames. Alex Bregman padded the lead with an eighth-inning RBI double off the wall, and Aroldis Chapman closed the door in the ninth to seal the win for Luzardo.

Final Score: Chicago 7 – Southwest Detroit 3

Win: Jesus Luzardo 11-5 (3.74)
Loss: Aaron Civale 2-6 (6.55)

However, the Chicago Mobsters completely flipped the script in the bottom of the seventh. After single hits from Alex Bregman, Willy Adames, and Julio Rodriguez loaded the bases, Jackson Chourio launched a dramatic, game-changing grand slam to deep left field off Barnett.

Logan Gilbert earned the victory with 7.1 strong innings, allowing just one run. After Aroldis Chapman left the game due to an injury in the ninth, Garrett Cleavinger entered to record the final out and preserve the win.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Southwest Detroit 1

Win: Logan Gilbert 6-5 (3.47)
Loss: Mason Barnett 0-2 (5.89)

Chicago provided all the run support Brown would need via the long ball. Javier Baez broke the scoreless tie with a solo shot in the second inning, and Riley Greene added insurance with a solo home run in the fourth off Max Scherzer. Greene struck again in the eighth, launching his second home run of the game off reliever Jalen Beeks to secure the win.

Final Score: Chicago 3 – Southwest Detroit 0

Win: Hunter Brown 11-6 (2.11)
Loss: Max Scherzer 2-7 (6.19)

The game’s decisive blow came in the fourth inning. After Alex Bregman sparked the offense with a lead-off double, Willy Adames crushed a towering two-run home run off Ranger Suarez to break the scoreless tie.

Southwest Detroit mounted a fierce comeback in the eighth with back-to-back doubles from Ryan McMahon and C.J. Abrams to narrow the score to 2-1. However, Chicago’s bullpen closed ranks; despite a ninth-inning walk, Aroldis Chapman struck out William Contreras to lock down his 19th save of the season.

Final Score: Chicago 2 – Southwest Detroit 1

Win: Bryce Miller 4-1 (3.05)
Loss: Ranger Suarez 7-10 (2.82)
Save: Aroldis Chapman #19

While Hunter Brown’s 13-strikeout masterpiece headlined the rotation’s dominance, Chicago’s offense repeatedly delivered when it mattered most. The Mobsters routinely broke games wide open late, highlighted by clutch home runs from Riley Greene and a dramatic, game-changing grand slam from Jackson Chourio. Southwest Detroit mounted fierce counter-punches throughout the week, but Chicago’s relentless bullpen depth repeatedly closed ranks to preserve the sweep and keep the Mobsters rolling.

Clayton Kershaw continued his dominant run with seven shutout innings as the Hollywood Werewolves blanked Tijuana 2-0 in the series opener. Kershaw (7-2) scattered five hits and struck out six. Aaron Judge broke a scoreless tie with a solo homer in the sixth inning, his 32nd of the season, then added an insurance run in the eighth on an Isaac Collins RBI groundout. Josh Hader secured the save with a perfect ninth. Jake Latz (7-4) took the hard-luck loss despite pitching well, allowing just one earned run over seven innings. The Bottle Rockets left seven runners stranded.

Drew Rasmussen earned his seventh consecutive victory with a masterful seven-inning performance, allowing just two runs on four hits as HollywooExtra-Inning Thriller Goes to Hollywood 5-4

In a marathon 13-inning affair, Luke Keaschell delivered the game-winning RBI single with no outs in the 13th to give Hollywood a 5-4 walk-off victory. The game featured outstanding relief pitching, with Braydon Fisher earning the win after three scoreless innings. Tijuana had 14 hits but stranded 10 runners. Junior Caminero homered in the eighth to tie the game at 4-4. The Werewolves stole an incredible six bases in the game, with Victor Scott swiping three, including a dramatic steal of home in the seventh that briefly gave Hollywood a 4-3 lead. Alejandro Kirk‘s sac fly had tied it in the seventh after Scott’s daring theft.d cruised 10-2. Aaron Judge led the offensive assault with three hits and five RBIs, including a two-run homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the fourth. Paul Goldschmidt added a two-run blast, his seventh of the year. Tijuana starter Cristopher Sanchez (12-2) saw his 12-game winning streak snapped, getting roughed up for eight runs (seven earned) in just 3.2 innings. Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong homered for the Bottle Rockets in the losing effort. Victor Scott stole three bases for Hollywood.

The third game featured the most dramatic finish as Hollywood survived a late Tijuana rally to win 10-9. Alejandro Kirk homered twice and drove in three runs, while Aaron Judge launched his 34th homer of the season. The Werewolves built a 10-6 lead after seven innings, but the Bottle Rockets fought back in the ninth. Corbin Carroll‘s RBI triple pulled Tijuana within 10-9, and Isaac Paredes walked to put the tying run on base. But David Bednar induced Junior Caminero to ground into a game-ending double play, earning his 24th save. Michael McGreevy was pulled early after allowing five runs, but Jack Dreyer earned the win in relief. Trea Turner homered twice for Tijuana, and Ian Happ also went deep twice.

In a marathon 13-inning affair, Luke Keaschell delivered the game-winning RBI single with no outs in the 13th to give Hollywood a 5-4 walk-off victory. The game featured outstanding relief pitching, with Braydon Fisher earning the win after three scoreless innings. Tijuana had 14 hits but stranded 10 runners. Junior Caminero homered in the eighth to tie the game at 4-4. The Werewolves stole an incredible six bases in the game, with Victor Scott swiping three, including a dramatic steal of home in the seventh that briefly gave Hollywood a 4-3 lead. Alejandro Kirk‘s sac fly had tied it in the seventh after Scott’s daring theft.

Adrian Del Castillo had a breakout game with two home runs and five RBIs as Hollywood took the fifth game 9-5. Del Castillo’s three-run homer in the second inning gave the Werewolves a 4-2 lead, and he added a two-run shot in the fifth as Hollywood built a 9-2 advantage. Landen Roupp (8-4) earned his eighth straight win, working six innings while allowing three runs on four hits. Matt Chapman added a solo homer, and Ketel Marte went deep with a two-run shot to continue his hot streak. Framber Valdez (6-7) lasted just three innings for Tijuana, allowing five runs. Corbin Carroll homered for the Bottle Rockets in a losing cause.
Game 6: Kershaw Stellar Again in Shutout 3-0

Clayton Kershaw delivered another masterpiece in the series finale, tossing eight shutout innings of three-hit ball as Hollywood completed the sweep with a 3-0 victory. Kershaw (8-2) was in complete command, walking just one and striking out one in his eighth win. Aaron Judge provided all the offense the Werewolves would need with a two-run homer in the first inning, his 35th of the season and league-leading mark. Isaac Collins added an RBI single in the sixth to stretch the lead. Josh Hader worked a perfect ninth for his 12th save. Kumar Rocker (1-3) struggled with control, walking five and allowing three runs on three hits over six innings.

Pitching Dominance: Clayton Kershaw was the story of the series, winning both his starts while allowing zero runs over 15 innings. The Werewolves’ starting rotation was exceptional, with Landen Roupp and Drew Rasmussen also earning victories. The bullpen was lights out, converting save opportunities in tight games.

Offensive Heroes: Aaron Judge cemented his MVP candidacy, hitting three home runs and driving in 11 RBIs over the six games. Alejandro Kirk and Adrian Del Castillo also had multiple-homer games, while Ketel Marte continued his hot streak with homers in three consecutive games.

Homers from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Byron Buxton help Fremont to a 3-0 lead after two. Cincinnati uses the long ball to fight back, with a Randal Grichuk 2-run HR and Heriberto Hernandez 3-run HR. Fremont scored in the eighth to cut the lead to 5-4, but the Skyliners tacked on three in the ninth off of Anthony Bender to put it away 8-4.

Byron Buxton and Elly de la Cruz go back-to-back in the first to give Fremont the 3-0 lead. Michael Conforto singles in two in the second to cut the lead to 3-2. Vinnie Pasquantino ties it in the eighth with a solo HR, and the Skyliners add another in the inning to make it 4-3. Fremont gets a runner on second in the bottom of the eighth, but a mis-click sends their worst hitter in to pinch-hit with predictable results. Kodai Senga pitches to one batter in the ninth and gives up a solo HR to Brendan Donovan, and Cinci takes it 5-3.

Yoan Moncada doubles and scores two in the fourth to give Fremont the early lead. Cantillo keeps it scoreless until a Noelvi Marte solo HR in the eighth cuts the Fremont lead to 2-1. Robert Suarez gives up a leadoff walk in the ninth, then Vinnie Pasquantino homers to give the Skyliners the lead and the eventual 3-2 win. Cantillo struck out 11 in the no-decision.

Noelvi Marte singles in Zach Dezenzo to give Cincinnati the lead in the second, the first time that they have led earlier than the 6th inning. It doesn’t last as Byron Buxton ties it in the bottom of the inning with a solo HR. Senga wouldn’t give up another earned run; the trouble would be the unearned ones. Carlos Correa botched a throw in the third inning that became bases-loaded with a pair of walks. Sebga gets it to two outs before Dezenzo hits a grand slam to put the Skyliners up 5-1. Michael Conforto goes back-to-back with a solo HR to make it 6-1. Elly de la Cruz hits a consolation HR in the ninth, but Cinci takes it 6-2. Dezenzo finished a single short of the cycle.

Byron Buxton hits a 3-run HR (his 4th of the series) in the first inning to give Fremont the lead. A Tyler Stephenson 2-run HR in the second cuts the lead to 3-2. After that, it’s all Fremont as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daylen Lile HRs help the Cannons win their first game of the series 10-2. Rodon strikes out 10 while picking up his 13th win.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles in Austin Hays in the third inning to put the Cannons up 1-0. That’s all that they would need, as Skubal picks up the CGSO with another one-hitter, striking out 11. Fremont wins the finale 3-0.

Next week, Cincinnati travels out west to Hollywood while Fremont hosts Detroit.

W: C. Mize (8-9) 6IP 1H 4K
L: J. Flaherty (5-9) 1.2IP 4H 5R 3ER 5K
S: S. Lugo (2)

W: C. Holmes (10-7) 6IP 8H 3R 5K
L: F. Cruz (0-2)
S: E. Bazardo (22)

GST starter – T. Mahle 5IP 3H 2R 6K

W: B. Casparius (1-0) 6IP 6H 3R 2ER 9K
L: H. Brazoban (1-1)
S: E. Bazardo (23)

GST starter P. Messick 5IP 4H 3R 4K

W: K. Montero (3-6) 8IP 6H 1R 8K
L: Z. Gallen (2-14) 4.2IP 7H 4R 4K

W: C. Mize (9-9) 6IP 6H 4R 3ER 6K
L: L. Evans (3-7) 4.1IP 8H 6R 5ER 3K

W: C. Holmes (11-7) 7IP 5H 1R 2K
L: J. Flaherty (5-10) 6.1IP 7H 4R 10K
S: E. Bazardo (24)