The Texas Rangers, largely on the strength of their trade deadline pitcher acquisitions, rise to lead this week’s Box-Toppers season team rankings.
Team rankings
Here are Box-Toppers 2023 team rankings through games of Thursday, Aug. 3. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team accumulated this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams accumulated from July 28 to Aug. 3 . The column Wk ago shows the team's rank as of July 27.| Teams | BTP | BTP/wk | Wk ago | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | 97.7 | 21.1 | 2 |
| 2 | Rays | 86.9 | 9.5 | 1 |
| 3 | Braves | 82.0 | 8.6 | 5 |
| 4 | Astros | 81.8 | 12.7 | 9 |
| 5 | Blue Jays | 81.8 | 7.5 | 4 |
| 6 | Orioles | 79.8 | 8.5 | 7 |
| 7 | Marlins | 79.2 | 6.0 | 6 |
| 8 | Dodgers | 78.5 | 3.0 | 3 |
| 9 | Angels | 78.3 | 9.7 | 10 |
| 10 | Brewers | 75.2 | 5.7 | 8 |
| 11 | Phillies | 75.0 | 10.7 | 12 |
| 12 | Diamondbacks | 71.4 | 7.5 | 13 |
| 13 | Padres | 70.5 | 14.0 | 21 |
| 14 | Cubs | 69.9 | 9.0 | 19 |
| 15 | Giants | 69.6 | 5.0 | 11 |
| 16 | Reds | 65.9 | 3.7 | 17 |
| 17 | Twins | 65.8 | 2.0 | 14 |
| 18 | Mariners | 65.4 | 2.0 | 15 |
| 19 | Yankees | 64.9 | 3.0 | 18 |
| 20 | Red Sox | 64.9 | 2.0 | 16 |
| 21 | Guardians | 55.0 | -4.0 | 20 |
| 22 | Tigers | 51.4 | -3.7 | 22 |
| 23 | Pirates | 50.8 | -2.0 | 23 |
| 24 | Nationals | 47.8 | -0.5 | 26 |
| 25 | White Sox | 40.7 | -2.0 | 28 |
| 26 | Cardinals | 40.4 | -12.2 | 24 |
| 27 | Rockies | 39.7 | -4.7 | 27 |
| 28 | Mets | 37.4 | -14.9 | 25 |
| 29 | Royals | 30.2 | 3.2 | 30 |
| 30 | Athletics | 29.0 | -0.5 | 29 |
The Rangers gained the most Box-Toppers points by far of any team in the past week (21.1) thanks mostly to acquiring Max Scherzer (10.4 points) from the Mets and Jordan Montgomery (6.7 points) from the Cardinals.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves regain the top spot among National League teams this week.
The Rangers were one of six teams to make gains of more than 9.0 Box-Toppers points in the past week, thanks mostly to picking up players at the trade deadline, joining the San Diego Padres (14.0-point gain), Houston Astros (12.7-point gain), Philadelphia Phillies (10.7-point gain), Los Angeles Angels (9.7-point gain) and Tampa Bay Rays (9.5-point gain).
By contrast, there were nine teams in the bottom third of team standings that had a net loss in Box-Toppers points this week because they traded away players at the deadline. Most notably among these are the New York Mets with a net loss of 14.9 points and the St. Louis Cardinals with a net loss of 12.2 points.
Rangers regain first place
The Rangers rise back into first place, where they were two weeks ago, passing the Tampa Bay Rays, who fall to second place. In 16 weekly team rankings reports this season, the Rays have led 14, missing the top spot only two weeks ago and this week.
Rangers players have accumulated 97.7 Box-Toppers points this season, picking up 21.1 in the past week—17.1 in player acquisitions and 4.0 in three team wins this week, to move 10.8 points ahead of the Rays (86.9, picking up 9.5 in the past week). The Rangers lead the NL-leading Braves by 15.7 points.
The Rangers have baseball’s fifth-best winning percentage (.578), behind the Braves (.651), the Baltimore Orioles (.615), the Rays (.595) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (.579). The Braves are third in Box-Toppers team rankings with 82.0 Box-Toppers points, the Orioles are sixth with 79.8, the Rays are second with 86.9 and the Dodges are eighth with 78.5.
The Rangers are now led by new acquisition, pitcher Max Scherzer (10.4 Box-Toppers points, 10th among all players and fifth among American League pitchers). Rangers top batter is Marcus Semien (6.7 Box-Toppers points, sixth among AL batters). There are 25 different Rangers players who have earned Box-Toppers points so far in 2023.
Braves rise to lead NL teams
The Braves regain the lead among NL teams with 82.0 Box-Toppers points, picking up 8.6 in the past week, rising from fifth to third place overall. The Braves won five games this week, picking up 7.6 points, and picked up 1.0 point by acquiring Nicky Lopez from the Royals.
The Braves passed last week’s top NL team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who fall to third among NL teams and from third to eight place overall with 78.5 Box-Toppers points, picking up 3.0 in the past week. The Braves lead over the second-ranked NL team, the Miami Marlins (79.2 points, seventh overall).
The Braves have baseball’s best winning percentage (.651) and are led by pitcher Spencer Strider (14.4 points, second among all players and first among NL pitchers). Top batter is Ronald Acuna Jr. (7.7 points, second among NL batters). There are 24 different Braves players who have earned Box-Toppers points so far in 2023.
Trade deadline gains
The Rangers made the biggest positive splash in trade deadline deals with their 21.1-point gain in the past week, mostly fueled by picking up Scherzer and Montgomery. Here is a look at how other teams used trade deadline deals to boost their Box-Toppers points gains:
Top 25 trade deadline movers
Max Scherzer has the most 2023 Box-Toppers points among players changing teams in the days leading up to the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Scherzer, whose 10.4 Box-Toppers points ranks 10th overall, was traded July 29 from the New York Mets to the Texas Rangers. Here are players with the 25 highest 2023 Box-Toppers points totals who changed teams prior to the trade deadline. Players are shown with their old team, their new team and their 2023 Box-Toppers point (BTP) total.| Player | Pos | Old team | New team | BTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scherzer, Max 2588 | pi sp | nym nl | tex al | 10.4 |
| 2 | Montgomery, Jordan 3814 | pi sp | stl nl | tex al | 6.7 |
| 3 | Lorenzen, Michael 3479 | pi sp | det al | phi nl | 6.7 |
| 4 | Verlander, Justin 2112 | pi sp | nym nl | hou al | 6.0 |
| 5 | Sewald, Paul 3940 | pi cp | sea al | ari nl | 5.0 |
| 6 | Cron, C.J. 3338 | 1b dh | col nl | ana al | 4.2 |
| 7 | Hill, Rich 2215 | pi sp | pit nl | sd nl | 4.0 |
| 8 | Rosario, Amed 3879 | ss | cle al | lad nl | 4.0 |
| 9 | Civale, Aaron 4173 | pi sp | cle al | tb al | 4.0 |
| 10 | Candelario, Jeimer 4025 | 3b | dc nl | chi nl | 4.0 |
| 11 | Robertson, David 2774 | pi cp | nym nl | fla nl | 4.0 |
| 12 | Flaherty, Jack 3971 | pi sp | stl nl | bal al | 4.0 |
| 13 | Burger, Jake 4629 | dh 3b | chi al | fla nl | 4.0 |
| 14 | Grichuk, Randal 3474 | lf rf | col nl | ana al | 3.5 |
| 15 | Giolito, Lucas 3900 | pi sp | chi al | ana al | 3.0 |
| 16 | DeJong, Paul 3827 | ss | stl nl | tor al | 2.5 |
| 17 | Canha, Mark 3454 | lf | nym nl | mil nl | 2.0 |
| 18 | Barlow, Scott 3981 | pi cp | sd nl | sd nl | 2.0 |
| 19 | Thompson, Trayce 4567 | cf lf | lad nl | chi al | 2.0 |
| 20 | Bell, Josh E. 3682 | 1b | cle al | fla nl | 2.0 |
| 21 | Yarbrough, Ryan 3962 | pi sp mr | kc al | lad nl | 2.0 |
| 22 | Hicks, Jordan 3991 | pi cp mr | stl nl | tor al | 2.0 |
| 23 | Cooper, Garrett 4184 | dh 1b rf | fla nl | sd nl | 2.0 |
| 24 | Chafin, Andrew 3397 | pi mr cp | ari nl | mil nl | 2.0 |
| 25 | Mayers, Mike 3983 | pi sp mr cp | chi al | chi al | 2.0 |
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The San Diego Padres had a net gain of 14.0 Box-Toppers points, giving them 70.5 points for the season, rising from 21st to 13th in team rankings. The eight-spot rise is the largest among all teams this week. The Padres picked up pitcher Rich Hill (4.0 points) from the Pirates, closer Scott Barlow (2.0) from the Royals and utility player Garrett Cooper (2.0) from the Marlins. They also acquired Ji-Man Choi (0.0 points in 2023) from the Pirates.
The Houston Astros had a net gain of 12.7 points, giving them 81.8 points for the season, rising from ninth to fourth place overall. The Astros notably picked up Justin Verlander (6.0) from the Mets, returning him to Houston, where he led all players in Box-Toppers points in 2022 (26.0 points).
The Philadelphia Phillies had a net gain of 10.7 points, giving them 75.0 for the season, rising from 12th to 11th place overall. The Phillies picked up pitcher Michael Lorenzen (6.7) from the Tigers and infielder Rodolfo Castro (1.0) from the Pirates.
The Los Angeles Angels had a net gain of 9.7 points, giving them 78.3 for the season, rising from 10th to ninth place overall. The Angels notably picked up first baseman C.J. Cron (4.2) from the Rockies, outfielder Randal Grichuk (3.5) from the Rockies, pitcher Lucas Giolito (3.0) from the White Sox and closer Reynaldo Lopez (1.0) from the White Sox.
The Tampa Bay Rays had a net gain of 9.5 points, giving them 86.9 for the season, but actually falling from first to second overall. The Rays notably picked up pitcher Aaron Civale (4.0) from the Guardians.
Biggest decline: Dodgers
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Though the Los Angeles Dodgers picked up 3.0 Box-Toppers points in the past week, they had the biggest decline among all teams, falling five spots from third to eighth overall with 78.5 points. The Dodgers picked up 4.0 points in wins and lost 1.0 point this week, trading reliever Justin Bruihl to the Rockies.
Trade deadline losses
There were nine teams selling at the trade deadline that had net losses in Box-Toppers points this week, including:
The New York Mets had a net loss of 14.9 points, trading Max Scherzer (10.4) to the Rangers, Justin Verlander (6.0) to the Astros and Mark Canha (2.0) to the Brewers. The Mets fall from 25th to 28th place overall with 37.4 points. The Mets were Box-Toppers preseason pick to win the World Series.
The St. Louis Cardinals had a net loss of 12.2 points, trading Jordan Montgomery (6.7) to the Rangers, Jack Flaherty (4.0) to the Orioles, Paul DeJong (2.5) to the Blue Jays and Jordan Hicks (2.0) to the Blue Jays. The Cardinals fall from 24th to 26th place overall with 40.4 points.
Seven other teams had net losses in points this week, including the Colorado Rockies (-4.7), Cleveland Guardians (-4.0), Detroit Tigers (-3.7), Pittsburgh Pirates (-2.0), Chicago White Sox (-2.0), Washington Nationals (-0.5) and Oakland Athletics (-0.5). All nine teams with a net loss of points this week rank 20th or lower in Box-Toppers team rankings.
Interestingly, two of the teams with net losses in points actually rose in Box-Toppers team rankings:
The Chicago White Sox rose three spots from 28th to 25th place with 40.7 points, losing 2.0 points in the past week.
The Washington Nationals rose two spots from 26th to 24th place with 47.8 points, losing 0.5 points in the past week.
Last place: Athletics
The Oakland Athletics fall from 29th to 30th and last place in Box-Toppers team rankings with 29.0 Box-Toppers points, with a net loss of 0.5 points in the past week. The Kansas City Royals, who ranked last the past three weeks, rise to 29th place with 30.2 Box-Toppers points, picking up 3.2 in the past week.
About Box-Toppers
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
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