Next Level Player of the Week

Verlander threw two complete games and allowed just one run this past week. He struck out 17 batters and walked one. Against the Indians, he induced 15 misses in 19 swings against his changeup, and that allowed him to post the highest game score by any pitcher for the season. Against the Rockies, Verlander didn't allow a hit or walk to any of the 14 batters who were in a two-strike count.

Shields threw two complete games and allowed just one unearned run this past week. Red Sox hitters went 0-for-10 in at-bats that ended with a changeup and 2-for-12 in at-bats that ended with a low pitch. Against the Marlins, Shields recorded six outs without allowing a hit on the first pitch of at-bats, his second-best total in the past three seasons.

Thomas cemented his Conn Smythe campaign by stopping all 37 shots in Game 7, making him the first goalie to record a Stanley Cup finals Game 7 shutout on the road. Thomas set NHL records for saves in a single postseason (798) and in a Stanley Cup finals (238). He allowed the fewest goals (eight) by a goalie who played in all seven games in Stanley Cup finals history.

Teixeira hit multiple home runs in a game for the 31st time in his career and the 10th time as a Yankee. All three of his hits came on pitches down in the zone, the third time since 2009 that Teixeira has had three hits in a game on low pitches and the second time that two of those hits were home runs.