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
▪️ Wednesday’s sidelights sidebar
▪️ Upcoming pitching matchups
▪️ Subscribe to newsletter
▪️ Support Box-Toppers
Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer is Wednesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
Also Wednesday, Braves pitcher Chris Sale rises to second place in Box-Toppers season player rankings, first among National League pitchers, after earning NL Player of the Day honors.
Player of the Day
Kremer struck out eight over five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks, in the 4-1 win over the Mariners.
Kremer earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 6.0 for the season, 48th among all players and 22nd among American League pitchers.
Top 10 players
Here are the top 10 players in 2024 Box-Toppers points (BTP) through Wednesday, July 3:| Player | Pos | Team | BTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Gil | pi sp | Yankees | 13.4 |
| 2 | Chris Sale | pi sp | Braves | 12.4 |
| 3 | Tarik Skubal | pi sp | Tigers | 11.4 |
| 4 | Tanner Bibee | pi sp | Guardians | 11.0 |
| 5 | Zack Wheeler | pi sp | Phillies | 10.7 |
| 6 | George Kirby | pi sp | Mariners | 10.7 |
| 7 | Tyler Glasnow | pi sp | Dodgers | 10.7 |
| 8 | Shota Imanaga | pi sp | Cubs | 10.7 |
| 9 | Dylan Cease | pi sp | Padres | 10.4 |
| 10 | Logan Gilbert | pi sp | Mariners | 10.0 |
National League Player of the Day
Braves pitcher Chris Sale struck out nine over six innings, allowing one run, three hits and two walks, in the 3-1 win over the Giants.
Sale earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 12.4 for the season, rising from seventh to second place in season player rankings behind Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (13.4 points). Sale rises to first place among NL pitchers, passing the previous leader Zack Wheeler of the Phillies (10.7 points), who falls to second place.
Sale now has 165.7 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 17th place among all players in career points since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. With his 1.7 points Wednesday, he passes Roger Clemens (164.8) on the “all-time” career points list. (It should be noted that Clemens began his career before the advent of Box-Toppers in 1995. Box-Toppers estimates he would have about 320 points if his entire career from 1984 were tracked.)
Sale now trails 16th-ranked player Manny Ramirez (166.2).
Sale ranks fourth among active, signed players in career points, second among active NL pitchers, behind Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers (270.4).
National League Batter of the Day
Christian Walker of the Diamondbacks hit two home runs, including a three-run shot, and doubled, in the 12-4 win over the Dodgers. Walker went 4-for-5, scoring three times and driving in four runs.
All-time leaders
Here are Box-Toppers top 20 players since record keeping began in 1995:| Player | Pos | Team | BTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Johnson | pi sp | Retired | 282.5 |
| 2 | Clayton Kershaw | pi sp | Dodgers | 270.4 |
| 3 | Max Scherzer | pi sp | Rangers | 252.7 |
| 4 | Justin Verlander | pi sp | Astros | 247.0 |
| 5 | Pedro Martinez | pi sp | Retired | 244.8 |
| 6 | Zack Greinke | pi sp | Free agent | 224.5 |
| 7 | Albert Pujols | 1b dh | Retired | 207.8 |
| 8 | CC Sabathia | pi sp | Retired | 203.4 |
| 9 | Curt Schilling | pi sp | Retired | 194.1 |
| 10 | Alex Rodriguez | dh | Retired | 187.0 |
| 11 | Jon Lester | pi sp | Retired | 179.3 |
| 12 | Felix Hernandez | pi sp | Retired | 175.1 |
| 13 | Cole Hamels | pi sp | Retired | 174.2 |
| 14 | Roy Halladay | pi sp | Retired | 170.7 |
| 15 | Johan Santana | pi sp | Retired | 166.6 |
| 16 | Manny Ramirez | lf dh | Retired | 166.2 |
| 17 | Chris Sale | pi sp | Braves | 165.7 |
| 18 | Roger Clemens | pi sp | Retired | 164.8 |
| 19 | John Smoltz | pi sp | Retired | 160.9 |
| 20 | Miguel Cabrera | 1b | Retired | 159.4 |
American League Batter of the Day
Yordan Alvarez of the Astros homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 9-2 win over the Blue Jays.
Alvarez earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 6.0 for the season, third among AL batters, behind Aaron Judge of the Yankees (8.5) and Juan Soto of the Yankees (8.5).
Scoring
Kremer earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day.
Sale earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day.
Walker and Alvarez each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day.
All of Wednesday’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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Wednesday’s sidelights sidebar
Top pitching matchup
▪️Zack Wheeler, Phillies10.7 Box-Toppers points in 2024, 4th
▪️Shota Imanaga, Cubs
10.7 Box-Toppers points in 2024, 8th
Result—PHI 5, STL 4 (F/10)
Neither starter was Player of the Game.
Wheeler had +2.0 B-T game score (6IP 5H 2R 2BB 7K ND).
Imanaga had +1.0 B-T game score in loss (6IP 6H 3R BB 8K ND).
Player of the Game—Alec Bohm, Phillies (HR 2-4 2R 2BI) with +2.0 game score. Though Bohm and Wheeler both had +2.0 game scores, Bohm won Player of the Game honors because in cases of game score ties, batter rank ahead of pitchers.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:▪️+4.1—Peter Lambert, Rockies (4.1IP 2H 0R 0BB 2K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. MIL.
Player of the Game—Colin Rea, Brewers (7IP 6H 0R 0BB 4K W) with +5.0 game score.
▪️+4.0—Ryan O’Hearn, Orioles (HR 2B 2-3 2R 3BI)
Was not Player of the Game in win vs. SEA.
Player of the Game—Teammate Dean Kremer (5IP 2H 0R 2BB 8K W) with +9.0 game score.
▪️+4.0—Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (HR 2-2 R 3BI)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. ARI.
Player of the Game—Christian Walker, Diamondbacks (2HR 2B 4-5 3R 4BI) with +6.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 436 total players Wednesday, 125 pitchers-13.0—Gavin Williams, Guardians (4IP 7H 5R 2BB 2K L vs. CHW)
-12.0—David Festa, Twins
-12.0—Gavin Stone, Dodgers
-11.0—Anthony Maldonado, Marlins
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 311 total batters Wednesday-5.0—Nico Hoerner, Cubs 0-5 2K
-5.0—Jarren Duran, Red Sox 1-6 2K
-4.0—Nolan Gorman, Cardinals 0-4 3K
-4.0—Spencer Horwitz, Blue Jays 0-4 3K
-4.0—Jarred Kelenic, Braves 0-4 3K
-4.0—Taylor Ward, Angels 0-4 3K
Box-Toppers uses Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and other sources to compile this information.
2024 Box-Toppers points—NL pitchers
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) July 4, 2024
1—Chris Sale @Braves 12.4*
2—Zack Wheeler @Phillies 10.7
3—Tyler Glasnow @Dodgers 10.7
4—Shota Imanaga @Cubs 10.7
5—Dylan Cease @Padres 10.4
6—Ranger Suárez @Phillies 9.4
*Earns 1.7 B-T points as Wednesday’s NL Player of the Day
Career Box-Toppers points—Active, signed players
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) July 4, 2024
1—Clayton Kershaw @Dodgers 270.4
2—Max Scherzer @Rangers 252.7
3—Justin Verlander @Astros 247.0
4—Chris Sale @Braves 165.7*
5—Gerrit Cole @Yankees 156.3
6—Jacob deGrom @Rangers 139.2
*Earns 1.7 points as WE’s NL Player of the Day
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).| 7/3 | BTG | Game | Player | AB | R | H | BI | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | +9.0 | BAL 4, SEA 1 | Dean Kremer (W, 4‑4) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 5.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | |
| NL | +8.0 | ATL 3, SF 1 | Chris Sale (W, 11‑3) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 6.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | |
| +7.0 | OAK 5, LAA 0 | Joey Estes (W, 3‑3) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 9.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| +7.0 | KC 4, TB 2 | Michael Wacha (W, 5‑6) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 6.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | ||
| BAT | +6.0 | ARI 12, LAD 4 | Christian Walker 1B | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | |
| +6.0 | WSH 7, NYM 5 | Luis García Jr. 2B | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| BAT | +5.0 | HOU 9, TOR 2 | Yordan Alvarez DH | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | |
| +5.0 | MIL 3, COL 0 | Colin Rea (W, 8‑2) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 7.0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| +3.2 | BOS 7, MIA 2 | Brayan Bello (W, 8‑5) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 6.2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
| +3.1 | SD 6, TEX 4 | Robert Suarez (S, 21) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| +3.0 | DET 9, MIN 2 | Riley Greene CF | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| +2.0 | CHW 8, CLE 2 | Martín Maldonado C | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| +2.0 | PIT 5, STL 4 (F/10) | Rowdy Tellez 1B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| +2.0 | PHI 5, CHC 3 | Alec Bohm 1B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| 0.0 | CIN 3, NYY 2 | Noelvi Marte 3B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ |
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 | +/‑ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale, Chris 2806 | pi sp | atl nl | 12.4 | 21.1 | 34.1 | 165.7 | +3.7 |
| Rea, Colin 3582 | pi sp | mil nl | 6.7 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 15.4 | +1.7 |
| Kremer, Dean 4330 | pi sp | bal al | 6.0 | 15.7 | 27.1 | 27.1 | -3.7 |
| Alvarez, Yordan 4209 | dh | hou al | 6.0 | 12.5 | 31.7 | 31.7 | -0.5 |
| Garcia, Luis Jr. 4671 | 2b | dc nl | 5.2 | 7.7 | 9.2 | 9.2 | +2.7 |
| Wacha, Michael 3276 | pi sp | kc al | 4.0 | 15.0 | 34.5 | 65.2 | -7.0 |
| Bello, Brayan 4727 | pi sp | bos al | 3.7 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 6.7 | +1.7 |
| Estes, Joey 5000 | pi sp | oak al | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | +3.7 |
| Suarez, Robert 4750 | pi cp | sd nl | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | +2.0 |
| Greene, Riley 4675 | cf | det al | 2.7 | 2.7 | 5.2 | 5.2 | +2.7 |
| Bohm, Alec 4309 | 3b 1b dh | phi nl | 2.5 | 8.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | -3.9 |
| Walker, Christian 3958 | 1b | ari nl | 2.5 | 8.5 | 20.0 | 21.5 | -3.5 |
| Maldonado, Martin 3082 | ca | chi al | 2.5 | 2.5 | 10.2 | 24.2 | +2.5 |
| Marte, Noelvi 5045 | 3b | cin nl | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | +2.5 |
| Tellez, Rowdy 4078 | 1b dh | pit nl | 1.0 | 3.0 | 19.7 | 22.2 | -1.0 |
About Box-Toppers’ team abbreviations
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A Box-Toppers look at Thursday’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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYM | Quintana, Jose 3040 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 27.8 | 88.1 |
| WSH | Irvin, Jake 4805 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| STL | Pallante, Andre 4656 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| PIT | Perez, Martin 3213 | 1.0 | 5.7 | 18.5 | 35.5 |
| CIN | Montas, Frankie 3803 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 35.5 | 38.5 |
| NYY | Stroman, Marcus 3327 | 3.0 | 10.7 | 34.4 | 65.2 |
| HOU | Valdez, Framber 4048 | 4.0 | 14.0 | 43.4 | 45.4 |
| TOR | Bassitt, Chris 3413 | 5.0 | 25.1 | 62.9 | 68.9 |
| BOS | Pivetta, Nick 3825 | 5.0 | 14.0 | 29.7 | 49.4 |
| MIA | Tyler, Kyle* | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| CHW | Shuster, Jared 4816 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| CLE | Lively, Ben 3903 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| DET | Maeda, Kenta 3609 | 2.7 | 13.8 | 36.6 | 67.3 |
| MIN | Ober, Bailey 4441 | 6.7 | 15.4 | 25.1 | 25.1 |
| PHI | Sanchez, Cristopher 4850 | 7.4 | 11.4 | 11.4 | 11.4 |
| CHC | Taillon, Jameson 3658 | 4.0 | 9.4 | 29.1 | 55.5 |
| SD | King, Michael 4549 | 6.0 | 15.0 | 20.7 | 20.7 |
| TEX | Scherzer, Max 2588 | 1.0 | 16.4 | 70.9 | 252.7 |
| LAA | Contreras, Roansy 4574 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| OAK | Sears, JP 4627 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| BAL | Burnes, Corbin 4029 | 7.7 | 19.4 | 60.6 | 63.6 |
| SEA | Miller, Bryce 4797 | 8.7 | 21.8 | 21.8 | 21.8 |
| SF | Webb, Logan 4258 | 5.0 | 17.4 | 45.3 | 45.3 |
| ATL | Morton, Charlie 2503 | 5.7 | 15.7 | 59.6 | 109.8 |
| MIL | Myers, Tobias 5026 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| COL | Quantrill, Cal 4195 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 22.7 | 22.7 |
| TB | Eflin, Zach 3679 | 3.7 | 15.7 | 34.5 | 47.2 |
| KC | Marsh, Alec 4961 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| ARI | Gallen, Zac 4171 | 5.0 | 21.7 | 56.1 | 56.1 |
| LAD | Knack, Landon 5009 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
* Player has yet to earn any career Box-Toppers points.
What are those numbers after players' names?
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