Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu helped Boston stay red-hot with a 1.584 OPS and three homers this past week. Colorado’s Jake McCarthy recorded a hit in all six games while moving his 2026 batting average above the .300 mark. On Monday, they were named the AL and NL Players of the Week, respectively.
With a miraculous leaping catch on Sunday in extra innings, Brewers rookie Luis Lara earned Play of the Week honors.
The 27-year-old Abreu followed up teammate Ceddanne Rafaela’s stellar week to end July with an incredible week of his own. Abreu tallied seven hits in five games while helping Boston to a 4-1 record and earning a day off Saturday.
Abreu’s nine RBIs led the American League from Aug. 3-9, while he totaled five walks and only two strikeouts in 23 plate appearances. His two-homer game against the White Sox on Tuesday led to a blowout victory, Boston’s sixth win in a row during a nine-game winning streak.
Abreu is batting .255 with 20 homers this year, while tallying a 4.6 bWAR. He earned the same honor three weeks ago, becoming only the fourth repeat winner in the AL, joining Yordan Alvarez, Ben Rice and Byron Buxton.
For McCarthy, his first year with the Rockies has been a raging success. His 14 hits last week led MLB, and he struck out only one time in 28 plate appearances.
Colorado went just 1-5 on the week, but McCarthy’s .519 average and 1.352 OPS stole the show to bolster his season, and his .306 batting average is fourth best in the NL. McCarthy, who turned 29 on July 30, is the first Colorado player to earn this honor in 2026.
Lara’s 70-grade fielding tool helped him rise quickly through Milwaukee’s system. Playing in right field Sunday afternoon, Lara robbed the Twins’ Kody Clemens of potential extra bases in the top of the 10th inning with a catch while crashing into the wall. Minnesota didn’t get a run across in the frame, and Milwaukee later walked it off for a 4-3 victory.