Box-Toppers Toppers Box
Today’s key Box-Toppers numbers. Click links to jump to charts elsewhere on this page.▪️ Players of the Game
▪️ B-T points of day’s top players
▪️ Top 10 players in 2024
▪️ Thursday’s sidelights sidebar
▪️ Upcoming pitching matchups
▪️ Subscribe to newsletter
▪️ Support Box-Toppers
Yankees pitcher Luis Gil is Thursday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day, rising to first place in season player rankings.
Also Thursday, Matt Chapman of the Giants rises to first place among National League batters in 2024 Box-Toppers points after earning NL Batter of the Day honors.
Top 10 players
Here are the top 10 players in 2024 Box-Toppers points (BTP) through Thursday, May 23:| Player | Pos | Team | BTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Gil | pi sp | Yankees | 9.7 |
| 2 | Ranger Suárez | pi sp | Phillies | 9.4 |
| 3 | Chris Sale | pi sp | Braves | 8.7 |
| 4 | Shota Imanaga | pi sp | Cubs | 8.7 |
| 5 | Zack Wheeler | pi sp | Phillies | 7.7 |
| 6 | Dylan Cease | pi sp | Padres | 7.7 |
| 7 | Tanner Houck | pi sp | Red Sox | 7.7 |
| 8 | Seth Lugo | pi sp | Royals | 7.4 |
| 9 | Yu Darvish | pi sp | Padres | 6.7 |
| 10 | Garrett Crochet | pi sp | White Sox | 6.7 |
Player of the Day
Gil struck out eight over 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks, in the 5-0 win over the Mariners.
Gil earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 9.7 for the season, rising from seventh to first place in season player rankings, passing previous leader, Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez (9.4 points), who falls to second place. Gil also rises to lead American League pitchers in 2024 Box-Toppers points, passing Tanner Houck of the Red Sox (7.7), who falls to second place.
This is the first time Gil has led players in season player rankings. It is the fifth time in the past week that the Box-Toppers season player rankings lead has changed:
On May 17, Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler took the lead with 7.7 points.
On May 18, Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga took the lead with 8.7 points.
On May 20, Braves pitcher Chris Sale took the lead with 8.7 points.
On May 21, Suarez took the lead with 9.4 points.
National League Player of the Day
Padres relief pitcher Jeremiah Estrada struck out five over two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, no walks and picking up the win, in the 6-4, 10-inning win over the Reds.
Estrada earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, his first points of the season, and is 66th among NL pitchers.
This was also Estrada’s Box-Toppers debut, his first career Player of the Game honor. Estrada made his Major League debut Aug. 30, 2022, and was playing in his 27th career game.
American League Batter of the Day
Jorge Mateo of the Orioles hit a three-run homer and went 1-for-2, scoring twice and driving in three runs, in the 8-6 win over the White Sox.
National League Batter of the Day
Matt Chapman of the Giants hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-5, scoring once and driving in three runs, in the 7-6 win over the Pirates.
Chapman earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 4.5 for the season, rising to first place among NL batters, passing previous leader Bryson Stott of the Phillies (4.5). Though Chapman and Stott both have 4.5 points in 2024, Chapman ranks higher because he has more 2023 points—3.5 vs. 3.0.
Chapman reached 4.5 points by earning NL Batter of the Day honors for the third time this season. He also did it March 29 and May 11, earning 1.5 points each time.
Thursday’s sidelights sidebar
Top pitching matchup
▪️Luis Castillo, Mariners5.0 Box-Toppers points in 2024, 10th among AL pitchers
▪️Luis Gil, Yankees
7.7 Box-Toppers points in 2024, 2nd among AL pitchers
Result—NYY 5, SEA 0
Gil was Player of the Game (6.1IP H 0R 2BB 8K W) with +11.1 B-T game score, also winning overall Player of the Day honors.
Castillo had -6.0 B-T game score in loss (5IP 7H 2R 3BB 3K L).
Gil earns 2.0 B-T points, giving 9.7 for 2024, rising to 1st among AL pitchers and 1st overall.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:▪️+7.0—Ben Brown, Cubs (4IP H 0R 2BB 6K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. ATL.
Player of the Game—AJ Smith-Shawver, Braves (4.1IP 3H 0R 2BB 4K ND) with +3.1 game score.
▪️+6.0—Ryan Feltner, Rockies (6IP 4H 0R 2BB 6K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. OAK.
Player of the Game—Max Schuemann, Athletics (2B 3-5 R 2BI) with +1.0 game score.
▪️+3.0—Joey Bart, Pirates (HR 2B 2-4 R 4BI, ejected)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. SF.
Player of the Game—Matt Chapman, Giants (HR 2-5 R 3BI) with +1.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 254 total players Thursday, 77 pitchers-14.8—Hunter Stratton, Pirates (0.2IP 5H 5R 0BB 0K L vs. SF)
-13.9—Andrew Heaney, Rangers
-11.0—Jonathan Heasley, Orioles
-10.8—Mike Clevinger, White Sox
-10.0—Matt Koch, Rockies
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 177 total batters Thursday-5.0—Colton Cowser, Orioles 0-5 K
-4.0—Oneil Cruz, Pirates 0-4 3K
-4.0—Cody Bellinger, Cubs 0-4 2K
-4.0—Michael Busch, Cubs 0-4 2K
-4.0—Michael Harris II, Braves 0-4 2K
-4.0—Korey Lee, White Sox 0-4 2K
-4.0—Matt Olson, Braves 0-4 2K
-4.0—Luke Raley, Mariners 0-4 2K
-4.0—Julio Rodríguez, Mariners 0-4 2K
-4.0—Rowdy Tellez, Pirates 0-4 2K
Box-Toppers uses Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and other sources to compile this information.
Debut
Max Schuemann of the Athletics also made his Box-Toppers debut Thursday with his first career Player of the Game honor.
Schuemann (2B 3-5 R 2BI in the 10-9, 11-inning win over the Rockies) made his Major League debut April 12 and was playing in his 33rd career game.
Scoring
Gil earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day.
Estrada earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day.
Mateo and Chapman each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day.
All of Thursday’s other Player of the Game winners (listed in the chart) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
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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Box‑Toppers Player of the Game winners
Here is the top player from each of the day’s games listed from highest to lowest Box‑Toppers game score (BTG).| 5/23 | BTG | Game | Player | AB | R | H | BI | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | +11.1 | NYY 5, SEA 0 | Luis Gil (W, 6‑1) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 6.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | |
| +9.0 | TOR 9, DET 1 | Kevin Gausman (W, 3‑3) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 6.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | ||
| NL | +6.0 | SD 6, CIN 4 (F/10) | Jeremiah Estrada (W, 1‑0) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| BAT | +4.0 | BAL 8, CHW 6 | Jorge Mateo 2B | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | |
| +3.1 | `ATL 3, CHC 0 | AJ Smith‑Shawver | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 4.1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | ||
| +2.0 | PHI 5, TEX 2 | Jeff Hoffman (S, 4) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| +1.0 | OAK 10, COL 9 (F/11) | Max Schuemann SS | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| BAT | +1.0 | SF 7, PIT 6 | Matt Chapman 3B | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ |
AL—Overall American League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box‑Toppers points.
NL—Overall National League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box‑Toppers points.
BAT—Top AL or NL Batter of the Day, worth 1.5 total Box‑Toppers points.
All other players listed here earn Player of the Game honors, worth 1.0 Box‑Toppers point.
` Pitcher had a no‑decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
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Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s Player of the Game winners
Here are Box-Toppers point totals of each of the Player of the Game winners. Players are ranked by their Box-Toppers point total in 2024 (’24). Also shown is their point total for this season and last (’23-24), the period 2019-2024 (’19-24) and each players’ career point total. Also shown is how their 2024 Box-Toppers point total compares with their 2023 total (+/-). Back to top| Player of the Game | Pos | Team | ’24 | ’23‑24 | ’19‑24 | Career | +/‑ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gil, Luis 4498 | pi sp | nyy al | 9.7 | 9.7 | 10.7 | 10.7 | +9.7 |
| Chapman, Matt 3849 | 3b | sf nl | 4.5 | 8.0 | 26.0 | 33.0 | +1.0 |
| Gausman, Kevin 3191 | pi sp | tor al | 4.0 | 22.7 | 53.1 | 92.1 | -14.7 |
| Hoffman, Jeff 3806 | pi mr cp | phi nl | 3.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 12.7 | 0.0 |
| Estrada, Jeremiah 5013 | pi mr | sd nl | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | +1.7 |
| Mateo, Jorge 4669 | 2b ss | bal al | 1.5 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | -2.0 |
| Smith-Shawver, AJ 4951 | pi sp | atl nl | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Schuemann, Max 5014 | ss | oak al | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | +1.0 |
About Box-Toppers’ team abbreviations
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A Box-Toppers look at Friday’s pitching matchups
A Box-Toppers look at the upcoming day’s probable pitching matchups. Teams are paired below with visiting teams on top and home teams on the bottom. Each team’s starting pitcher is shown with their Box-Toppers point total from 2024 (’24), this year and last year (’23-24), over a six-year period (’19-24) and their career point total.Back to top
| Game | Starter | ’24 | ’23-24 | ’19‑24 | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | Undecided | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| PIT | Falter, Bailey 4473 | 2.0 | 6.7 | 11.7 | 11.7 |
| TOR | Manoah, Alek 4424 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 27.5 | 27.5 |
| DET | Manning, Matt 4550 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| SEA | Kirby, George 4595 | 5.7 | 19.4 | 30.8 | 30.8 |
| WSH | Gore, MacKenzie 4582 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 12.7 | 12.7 |
| KC | Lugo, Seth 3729 | 7.4 | 13.8 | 22.8 | 31.8 |
| TB | Armstrong, Shawn 4204 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| LAD | Paxton, James 3280 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 21.1 | 62.9 |
| CIN | Ashcraft, Graham 4645 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| MIL | Wilson, Bryse 4048 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| BOS | Crawford, Kutter 4660 | 1.0 | 6.7 | 10.7 | 10.7 |
| SF | Harrison, Kyle 4914 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| NYM | Scott, Christian* | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| BAL | Burnes, Corbin 4029 | 4.7 | 16.4 | 57.6 | 60.6 |
| CHW | Flexen, Chris 4368 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 15.4 | 15.4 |
| TEX | Urena, Jose 3492 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 23.4 |
| MIN | Ober, Bailey 4441 | 4.0 | 12.7 | 22.4 | 22.4 |
| CHC | Imanaga, Shota 4960 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| STL | Mikolas, Miles 3034 | 1.0 | 7.7 | 22.8 | 37.2 |
| PHI | Sanchez, Cristopher 4850 | 1.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| COL | Blach, Ty 3754 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 10.0 |
| CLE | Allen, Logan T. 4789 | 2.0 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.7 |
| LAA | Sandoval, Patrick 4357 | 1.7 | 4.7 | 15.7 | 15.7 |
| HOU | Verlander, Justin 2112 | 1.0 | 13.4 | 67.9 | 246.0 |
| OAK | Stripling, Ross 3629 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 25.7 | 40.1 |
| MIA | Garrett, Braxton 4341 | 0.0 | 12.7 | 20.4 | 20.4 |
| ARI | Gallen, Zac 4171 | 3.0 | 19.7 | 54.1 | 54.1 |
| NYY | Rodon, Carlos 3494 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 37.5 | 60.6 |
| SD | Darvish, Yu 3003 | 6.7 | 13.7 | 63.7 | 137.7 |
* Player has yet to earn any career Box-Toppers points.
What are those numbers after players' names?
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