Outfielder Will Benson of the Cincinnati Reds has been selected the National League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet, and third baseman Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox has been named the American League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet.

Chad Dotson helms Reds coverage at Cincinnati Magazine and is co-author of “The Big 50: The Men and Moments That Made the Cincinnati Reds,” revised, updated, and available in bookstores now. His newsletter about Cincinnati sports can be found at chaddotson.com.

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-4 on Friday night. Will Benson hit his second home run in as many days in the second inning when he hit a three-run home run to give Cincinnati a 3-0 lead off Guardians' starting pitcher Tanner Bibee.

Will Benson's second home run of the game is a solo shot to give the Reds the 3-0 lead vs. the Guardians.

Will Benson hits a solo home run to right-center field to tie the game at 1 in the bottom of the 5th inning

The Cincinnati Reds (22-24) beat the Cleveland Guardians (25-19) 5-4 on Friday night at Great American Ball Park. Here are our postgame takeaways: Pitching Holds the Lead With a 5-0 lead early, Brady Singer and the Cincinnati bullpen did just enough to protect the lead.

Benson is the first Reds player to win the National League Player of the Week award during the 2025 season. The Reds, now 24-24 and in third place in the NL Central division, will begin a road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night.

Will Benson hit a three-run home run and Brady Singer pitched five solid innings as the host Cincinnati Reds beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-4 on Friday.

Benson's three-run home run in the second inning gave Cincinnati the lead it would never surrender in its 5-4 win over Cleveland.