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The New York Yankees are the top-ranked team in Box-Toppers’ 2019 preseason rankings, rising from second place at the end of the 2018 season.
The 2018 World Series-champion Boston Red Sox fall from first at the end of last season to second place in the 2019 preseason rankings.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds made the biggest offseason improvement in players’ accumulated Box-Toppers points, while the Arizona Diamondbacks had the biggest decline.
Read MoreJose Bautista of the Mets is Thursday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
Bautista hit a grand slam and doubled, going 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in seven runs, in the 24-4 win over the Phillies.
Read MoreRed Sox pitcher Chris Sale is Sunday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
Also Sunday, two players in Box-Toppers season player rankings top 10 earned Player of the Game honors—Twins pitcher Jose Berrios maintains his third-place overall ranking and Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole rises to fourth place.
Read More
Los Angeles Dodgers edge out Washington Nationals as Box-Toppers' top preseason team. Champion Cubs slip to 5th after key player losses. Indians rank 1st among AL teams.
Read More
Two relief pitchers were Box-Toppers’ top players in two League Division Series playoff games Sunday:
Osuna pitched two scoreless innings, allowing no hits, no walks, striking out two and earning the win. The Blue Jays win the best-of-five game series, 3-0 and advance to the American League Championship Series beginning Friday against the winner of the Red Sox-Indians series.
Osuna was also Player of the Game in the Blue Jays’ Game 2 win agains the Rangers on Friday. He is the first player this postseason to earn Player of the Game honors more than once.
During the regular season, Osuna had 3.0 Box-Toppers points (all in April) and ranked 319th among all players, 87th among AL pitchers and 15th among AL closers.
Osuna had a Box-Toppers game score Sunday of +4.0. Blue Jays’ top batter in the game was Edwin Encarnacion, who had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 (HR 2-3 R 3BI).
Nationals middle reliever Blake Treinen pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits, no walks, striking out two and earning the win.
Treinen had no Box-Toppers points during the regular season. He has 1.0 for his career, earned June 10, 2015.
Treinen had a Box-Toppers game score Sunday of +3.1. Nationals’ top batter in the game, Daniel Murphy, had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 (3-3 R 2BI).
The best-of-five game series is now tied 1-1 and resumes Monday in Los Angeles.
ALDS Game 3 between the Red Sox and Indians was rained out Sunday and rescheduled for Monday. More details below.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| BTG | Game | Player of Game | AB | R | H | BI | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
| 4.0 | TOR 7, TEX 6 (10) | Roberto Osuna (W,1-0) | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 3.1 | WSH 5, LAD 2 | Blake Treinen (W,1-0; H,1) | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| BTG: Box-Toppers game score | |||||||||||||
Coming Monday: League Division playoff games resume:
The pitching matchup Monday:
Nationals—Gio Gonzalez, 6.0 Box-Toppers points, 158th among all players, 45th among NL pitchers.
Dodgers—Kenta Maeada, 10.0 Box-Toppers points, 54th among all players, 21st among NL pitchers.
The pitching matchup Monday:
Indians—Josh Tomlin, 5.0 Box-Toppers points, 202nd among all players, 63rd among AL pitchers.
Red Sox—Clay Buchholz, 5.0 Box-Toppers points, 200th among all players, 62nd among AL pitchers.
The pitching matchup Monday:
Cubs—Jake Arrieta, 15.7 Box-Toppers points, ninth among all players, sixth among NL pitchers.
Giants—Madison Bumgarner, 13.0 Box-Toppers points, 19th among all players, 12th among NL pitchers.
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.
Box-Toppers strives for accuracy. See a mistake in a post? A wrong name, wrong team, grammar error, spelling goof, etc.? Thanks for pointing it out! Contact Box-Toppers here. Let's fix it and make it right.
Cubs pitcher Travis Wood is Box-Toppers Player of the Day in Saturday’s National League Division Series Game 2 win over the Giants.
Wood pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of middle relief, allowing no hits, no walks and striking out two, in the 5-2 win.
During the regular season, Wood had just 1.0 Box-Toppers point (earned May 30), which ranks him 563rd among all players, 144th among NL pitchers and 33rd among NL middle relievers. Wood had 8.0 Box-Toppers points in both 2013 and 2014 when he was a starter for the Cubs, his two best seasons.
Wood had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.1. Cubs’ top batter in the game was pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who had a Box-Toppers game score of +2.0 for batting. Hendricks (1-1 2BI) hit a second-inning single, driving in two runs. Hendricks had a Box-Toppers game score of −4.8 as starting pitcher (3.2IP 4H 2R 0BB 0K ND).
Wood had the second-highest Box-Toppers game score among Cubs’ batters. His score was also +2.0, tied with Hendricks, but Hendricks ranked ahead because he had more runs batted in (2 vs. 1). Wood (1-1 R BI) hit a solo home run in the fourth inning.
The Cubs now lead the best-of-five game series 2-0. The series resumes Monday in San Francisco.
NLDS Game 2 between the Dodgers and Nationals was rained out Saturday and rescheduled for Sunday. More details below.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| BTG | Game | Player of Game | AB | R | H | BI | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
| 3.1 | CHC 5, SF 2 | Travis Wood (W,1-0) | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| BTG: Box-Toppers game score | |||||||||||||
Coming Sunday: Three division series playoff games:
NLDS Game 2 between the Dodgers and Nationals was rained out Saturday and rescheduled for Sunday.
The pitching matchup Sunday:
Dodgers—Rich Hill, 14.4 Box-Toppers points, 13th among all players, eighth among NL pitchers.
Nationals—Tanner Roark, 12.7 Box-Toppers points, 22nd among all players, 14th among NL pitchers.
The pitching matchup Sunday:
Indians—Josh Tomlin, 5.0 Box-Toppers points, 202nd among all players, 63rd among AL pitchers.
Red Sox—Clay Buchholz, 5.0 Box-Toppers points, 200th among all players, 62nd among AL pitchers.
The pitching matchup Sunday:
Rangers—Colby Lewis, 7.7 Box-Toppers points, 96th among all players, 34th among AL pitchers.
Blue Jays—Aaron Sanchez, 10.7 Box-Toppers points, 45th among all players, 19th among AL pitchers.
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.
Box-Toppers strives for accuracy. See a mistake in a post? A wrong name, wrong team, grammar error, spelling goof, etc.? Thanks for pointing it out! Contact Box-Toppers here. Let's fix it and make it right.
Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is Monday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
Buchholz pitched eight innings and allowed one run on five hits, striking out five, in the 3-1 win over the Blue Jays.
| Player | Pos | Team | BTP | |
| 1 | Scherzer, Max 2588 | pi sp | dc nl | 14.0 |
| 2 | Hernandez, Felix 2064 | pi sp | sea al | 13.4 |
| 3 | Archer, Chris 3194 | pi sp | tb al | 12.0 |
| 4 | Cole, Gerrit 3232 | pi sp | pit nl | 12.0 |
| 5 | deGrom, Jacob 3343 | pi sp | nym nl | 11.4 |
| 6 | Price, David 2593 | pi sp | det al | 11.1 |
| 7 | Martinez, Carlos 3371 | pi sp | stl nl | 10.7 |
| 8 | Sale, Chris 2806 | pi sp | chi al | 10.4 |
| 9 | Keuchel, Dallas 3050 | pi sp | hou al | 9.7 |
| 10 | Harvey, Matt 3075 | pi sp | nym nl | 9.7 |
Buchholz had a Box-Toppers game score Monday of 6, tied with Indians pitcher Cody Anderson who was Player of the Game in the 7-1 win over the Rays. However, Buchholz won Player of the Game on a tiebreaker—he had more strikeouts than Anderson (five vs. two).
National League Player of the Day—Jonathan Lucroy of the Brewers went 4-for-5, scoring twice and driving in two runs, in the 7-4 win over the Phillies.
American League Batter of the Day—Billy Butler of the Athletics homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in two runs, in the 7-1 win over the Rockies.
National League Batter of the Day—There is no separate NL Batter of the Day for Monday because the overall NL Player of the Day is a batter (Jonathan Lucroy).
Notable—Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson has the highest Box-Toppers player ranking of any of the nine who earned Player of the Game honors Monday. Wilson has 8.4 Box-Toppers points and ranks 13th among all players, seventh among AL pitchers. Wilson (6IP 5H R 5K W in the 4-1 win over the Yankees) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game.
Debuts—Two players made their Box-Toppers debut Monday, the first time in their career they earned Player of the Game honors:
Scoring—Buchholz earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Lucroy earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day. Butler earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day. All of Monday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) 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.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 6/29 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
| MLB | 6.0 | Red Sox | Clay Buchholz (W, 6-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
| 6.0 | Indians | Cody Anderson (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 5.0 | Astros | Lance McCullers (W, 4-2) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||
| BAT | 4.0 | Athletics | Billy Butler DH | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| NL | 3.0 | Brewers | Jonathan Lucroy C | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2.0 | Reds | Tucker Barnhart C | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Rangers | Mitch Moreland 1B | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Dbacks | Nick Ahmed SS | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1.0 | Angels | C.J. Wilson (W, 6-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is Monday’s Player of the Day on baseball’s opening day of the season.
Hernandez struck out 10 over seven innings, allowing one run, in the 4-1 win over the Angels.
Hernandez had a Box-Toppers game score of +12, tied with Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz, who was Player of the Game in the 8-0 win over the Phillies. However, Hernandez won the tie-breaker to earn Player of the Day because he had more strikeouts than Buchholz (10 vs. nine).
Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto is National League Player of the Day. Cueto struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings in the 5-2 win over the Pirates. Cueto picked up a no-decision and did not earn the win because after he exited the game, the Pirates tied the score.
Cueto also had a Box-Toppers game score of +12, tied with Hernandez, but Hernandez beat Cueto on a tie-breaker to earn Player of the Day because he earned the win in his game, while Cueto earned a no-decision.
Nolan Arenado of the Rockies is NL Batter of the Day. Arenado homered, doubled and went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the 10-0 win over the Brewers.
Alex Rios of the Royals is American League Batter of the Day. Rios homered, drove in three and went 3-for-4 in the 10-1 win over the White Sox.
Notables: Opening day often features baseball’s top aces, the top-of-the-rotation pitchers who were among Box-Toppers leaders in the previous season. Monday featured starts from last year’s top seven pitchers in Box-Toppers player rankings. However, only three earned Player of the Game honors. Here is how those seven players fared, listed in order of their 2014 Box-Toppers player ranking:
Monday—6IP 6H 3R 2BB 9K ND, Box-Toppers game score +1 in 6-3 win over Padres. (Jimmy Rollins, Box-Toppers game score +2 was Dodgers Player of the Game.)
Monday—7.1IP 3H 2R 2BB 7K L, Box-Toppers game score +5.1 in 2-0 loss to Astros. (Dallas Keuchel of Astros, Box-Toppers game score +5 was Player of the Game.)
Monday—7IP 6H R BB 3K W, Box-Toppers game score +1 in 5-4 win over Diamondbacks. (Angel Pagan, Box-Toppers game score +2 was Giants Player of the Game.)
Monday—Cueto earned NL Player of the Day honors, see details above.
Monday—7.2 IP 4H 3R 2BB 8K L, Box-Toppers game score +6.2 in 3-1 loss to Mets. (Bartolo Colon of the Mets, Box-Toppers game score of +8.0 was Player of the Game.)
Monday—Hernandez earned overall Player of the Day honors, see details above.
Monday—8.2 IP 5H 0R 5K W, Box-Toppers game score +8.2 in 4-0 win over Twins. (Price earned Player of the Game honors.)
Also notable: Devon Travis of the Blue Jays (HR 1-2 2R BI in the 6-1 win over the Yankees) made his Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors. Travis is the 3,436th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. He is the first player to make his debut in the 2015 season.
Hernandez earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Cueto earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day. Arenado and Rios each earn 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Monday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
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.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 406 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
| MLB | 12.0 | Mariners | Felix Hernandez (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
| 12.0 | Red Sox | Clay Buchholz (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | ||
| NL | 12.0 | `Reds | Johnny Cueto | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | |
| 9.0 | Athletics | Sonny Gray (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | ||
| 8.2 | Tigers | David Price (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||
| 8.0 | Mets | Bartolo Colon (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| BAT | 6.0 | Rockies | Nolan Arenado 3B | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 5.0 | Astros | Dallas Keuchel (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | ||
| BAT | 3.0 | Royals | Alex Rios RF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 3.0 | Braves | Jason Grilli (S, 1) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2.0 | Giants | Angel Pagan CF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Dodgers | Jimmy Rollins SS | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Blue Jays | Devon Travis 2B | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1.2 | Orioles | Chris Tillman (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| `Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save. | ||||||||||||||||
Braves pitcher Alex Wood is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Wood pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 12 in the 1-0 win over the Marlins.
Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is American League Player of the Day. Buchholz pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout, striking out six, in the 3-0 win over the Rays.
Matt Holliday of the Cardinals is National League Batter of the Day. Holliday homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 9-6 win over the Cubs. This is the second day in a row Holliday has earned NL Batter of the Day, so he has picked up 3.0 Box-Toppers points in the past two days. He now has 7.5 Box-Toppers points for the season and ranks third among NL batters, behind overall leader Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies (11.6 Box-Toppers points) and Freddie Freeman of the Braves (7.7 Box-Toppers points).
Dustin Ackley of the Mariners is AL Batter of the Day. Ackley homered and went 2-for-4, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 5-3 win over the Nationals.
Notables: Two pitchers who earned Player of the Game honors Sunday became the 38th and 39th player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points.
Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker, top player in the 8-1 win over the Athletics (7IP 0R 7K W) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.7 for the season. He ranks 35th among all players and 17th among AL pitchers.
Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, top player in the 7-1 win over the Padres (7IP R 7K W) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.4 for the season. He ranks 37th among all players and 17th among NL pitchers.
Wood receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Buchholz receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Holliday and Ackley each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed, click here.
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. Players earn Box-Toppers points 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.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 831 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 15.0 | Braves | Alex Wood (W, 10-10) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
| AL | 12.0 | Red Sox | Clay Buchholz (W, 6-8) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 9.0 | Angels | Matt Shoemaker (W, 14-4) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | ||
| 8.0 | Dodgers | Hyun-Jin Ryu (W, 14-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | ||
| 7.0 | Dbacks | Chase Anderson (W, 8-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | ||
| BAT | 5.0 | Cardinals | Matt Holliday LF | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 5.0 | Giants | Pablo Sandoval 3B | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| BAT | 3.0 | Mariners | Dustin Ackley LF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 3.0 | Reds | Chris Heisey RF, LF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 3.0 | Orioles | J.J. Hardy SS | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Astros | Chad Qualls (S, 16) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1.0 | White Sox | Avisail Garcia RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1.0 | Mets | Anthony Recker C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1.0 | Blue Jays | Steve Tolleson PR, 2B | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Buchholz pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout, striking out 12 and allowing no walks, in the 11-0 win over the Astros.
Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu is National League Player of the Day. Ryu pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 10 in the 1-0 win over the Padres.
Chris Johnson of the Braves is NL Batter of the Day. Johnson homered and went 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 10-7 win over the Cubs.
Brian Dozier of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Dozier homered twice and doubled in six at-bats, driving in four runs, in the 13-5 win over the Rockies.
Notables: Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner rose to fourth place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Sunday—and for the second time this season earning the honor for batting. (See the updated top 10 player ranking list on the home page.)
Bumgarner hit a grand slam (his second of the season) and went 2-for-3 with two runs, in the 8-4 win over the Diamondbacks. (He also pitched 6 1/3 innings and picked up the win.) He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 13.5 for the season, moving from ninth to fourth place. He ranks third among NL pitchers.
This is the sixth time this season a pitcher has won Player of the Game honors for batting. It is the second time Bumgarner has done it. He previously did it April 11, earning NL Batter of the Day.
Rays pitcher David Price became the 16th player this season to earn at least 10.0 Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors Sunday. Price (8IP 0R 5K W in the 3-0 win over the Blue Jays) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.4 for the season, moving him to 13th place in Box-Toppers player rankings. He ranks sixth among AL pitchers.
Buchholz receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Ryu receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Johnson and Dozier each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
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. Players earn Box-Toppers points 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.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 713 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 18.0 | Red Sox | Clay Buchholz (W, 4-5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
| NL | 14.0 | Dodgers | Hyun-Jin Ryu (W, 10-5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | |
| 8.0 | Brewers | Wily Peralta (W, 10-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||
| 7.0 | Rays | David Price (W, 9-7) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 7.0 | Nationals | Tanner Roark (W, 8-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 6.0 | Mets | Jacob deGrom (W, 3-5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 5.2 | `Indians | Trevor Bauer | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | ||
| BAT | 5.0 | Braves | Chris Johnson 3B | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 5.0 | Giants | Madison Bumgarner P | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 4.0 | Reds | Aroldis Chapman (S, 21) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 3.2 | Athletics | Sonny Gray (W, 10-3) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 3.2 | Royals | Yordano Ventura (W, 7-7) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| BAT | 3.0 | Twins | Brian Dozier 2B | 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 3.0 | Angels | Mike Trout CF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Orioles | Chris Davis 1B | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal is Box-Toppers Player of the Day for the second straight World Series game.
Rosenthal is Box-Toppers top player in Saturday's Game 3, pitching the final five outs to lead the Cardinals to a 5-4 win over the Red Sox. The Cardinals now lead the World Series two games to one.
Rosenthal struck out two and gave up one hit over 1 2/3 innings and earned the win when the Cardinals scored the walk-off winning run on an obstruction call when Allen Craig got tangled in Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks' feet as he was trying to score from third on an overthrow. Craig was tagged out at the plate, but was ruled safe at home because of the obstruction call.
Rosenthal had 6.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 147th overall. He was also Box-Toppers Player of the Day in Game 2.
Coming Sunday: The World Series resumes Sunday in St. Louis. Here is the pitching match-up:
World Series Game 4, Cardinals lead Red Sox 2-1
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz, 11.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked 41st overall.
Cardinals: Lance Lynn, 16.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked 11th overall.
Box-Toppers tracks players who most help their team win the most games. Top players from the winning team of each game are determined by a formula using standard box score statistics. In regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top batter in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games.
Related story: Box-Toppers previews 2013 World Series in this post from Oct. 21.
Here are the top six Cardinals players in Saturday's World Series Game 3, ranked from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score (how game score is calculated). Trevor Rosenthal, who had a Box-Toppers game score of 2.2, was Player of the Game (POG). He narrowly edged out starter Joe Kelly, who had a game score of 2.1, for top player. Highest-ranking batter was Matt Holliday (game score of 1.0), who went 2-for-5 and drove in three runs.
| 1026 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POG | 2.2 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Trevor Rosenthal (W, 1-0) | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2.1 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Joe Kelly | 5.1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| 2.0 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Kevin Siegrist | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1.0 | Cardinals | Matt Holliday LF | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1.0 | Cardinals | Allen Craig PH | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0.0 | Cardinals | Yadier Molina C | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Michael Wacha pitched the Cardinals into the World Series, dominating the Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, earning Friday's Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
Wacha pitched seven shutout innings and gave up only two hits in the 9-0 win over the Dodgers, to win the NLCS for the Cardinals four games to two.
It is the second time during the NLCS and the third time during the postseason that the rookie Wacha has earned Player of the Game honors. In the regular season, he only earned Player of the Game honors twice—both times in September—earning 3.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 361st overall.
By contrast, the Dodgers starter Friday, Clayton Kershaw, is Box-Toppers Player of the Season, earning 21.7 Box-Toppers points, more than any other player. However, Kershaw lasted only four innings, gave up 10 hits and seven runs. Wacha also outdueled him in Game 2 of the series.
Of course, with the Dodgers eliminated from the postseason, it means that Box-Toppers' preseason pick for World Series champion will not come to fruition. On paper—or rather in Box-Toppers' database—the Dodgers looked like the most dominant going into the 2013 season. But early on, they languished and seemed doomed for the NL West basement. However, in June, they began winning and by July were finally among Box-Toppers' top 10 teams and topped all teams for two weeks in September. They finished the season as Box-Toppers' second-ranked team, just behind the Tigers.
Coming Saturday: The American League Championship Series resumes Saturday in Boston. Here is the pitching match-up:
ALCS Game 6, Red Sox lead Tigers 3-2
Tigers: Max Scherzer, 18.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked fifth overall (see the Top 10 Player ranking list on the home page)
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz, 11.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked 41st overall
This is a rematch of Game 2 of the series, won by the Red Sox, 6-5.
In
regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of
the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top batter
in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games.
However, no Box-Toppers points are awarded during the postseason.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1018 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 9.0 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Michael Wacha (W, 3-0) | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Here are the top six Cardinals players in Friday's National League Championship Series Game 6, ranked from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score (how game score is calculated). Michael Wacha, who had a Box-Toppers game score of 9.0 was Player of the Game (POG). Carlos Beltran was top batter with a Box-Toppers game score of 2.0.
| 1018 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POG | 9.0 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Michael Wacha (W, 3-0) | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 3.0 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Carlos Martinez | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||
| 2.0 | Cardinals | Carlos Beltran RF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2.0 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Trevor Rosenthal | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 1.0 | Cardinals | Shane Robinson CF, RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1.0 | Cardinals | Matt Adams 1B | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who gave up no hits over six innings and struck out 12, is Saturday's Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
Sanchez led the Tigers to a 1-0 win over the Red Sox in Game 1 of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. Five Tigers pitchers combined to give up only one Red Sox hit—and that came with one out in the ninth inning.
Sanchez threw 116 pitches over six innings, walking six batters. Sanchez had 17.1 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranked seventh overall.
Meanwhile, Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha is Box-Toppers National League Player of the Day, pitching 6 2/3 shutout innings and striking out eight in the 1-0 win over the Dodgers. The Cardinals now have a two games to zero lead over the Dodgers in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.
Wacha had 3.0 Box-Toppers points for the season, ranked 361st overall. It is the second time this postseason Wacha has earned Player of the Game honors. He was also Player of the Day Oct. 7 in Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Pirates. (If Box-Toppers points were kept during the postseason, Wacha would have 3.7 points in the past two games, more than his entire regular season total.) Wacha outdueled Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw, who with 21.7 Box-Toppers points, was top player for the season.
Pitchers naturally dominated Box-Toppers game scores in Saturday's two LCS games since the minimum possible number of runs were scored in both games—both games were 1-0 shutouts.
Coming Sunday: The American League Championship Series continues with Game 2 in Boston. Here is the pitching match-up:
ALCS Game 2, Tigers lead Red Sox 1-0
Tigers: Max Scherzer, 18.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked fifth overall (see the Top 10 Player ranking list on the home page)
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz, 11.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked 41st overall
In
regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of
the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top
batter in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games. However, no Box-Toppers points are awarded during
the postseason.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1012 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 12.0 | Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Anibal Sanchez (W, 1-1) | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | |
| NL | 8.2 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Michael Wacha (W, 2-0) | 6.2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
Hanley Ramirez of the Dodgers is Sunday's Player of the Day in the two National League Division Series playoff games.
Ramirez scored three runs and went 3-for-4 in the 13-6 win over the Braves to take a 2-1 series lead for the Dodgers. Ramirez had 5.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 177th overall, second among all NL shortstops.
Marlon Byrd of the Pirates is Sunday's other Player of the Game. Byrd drove in two runs and went 2-for-3 in the 5-3 win over the Cardinals to take a 2-1 series lead for the Pirates. Byrd had 5.5 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 164th overall.
Coming Monday: All four League Division Series continue Monday. Three of the four series could be decided. Here are the pitching match-ups:
Athletics: Jarrod Parker, 6.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 138th overall
Tigers: Anibal Sanchez, 17.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked seventh overall (see the top 10 Player Rankings list on the home page)
Cardinals: Michael Wacha, 3.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 361st overall
Pirates: Charlie Morton, 3.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 344th overall
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz, 11.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked 41st overall
Rays: Alex Cobb, 9.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 58th overall
Braves: Freddy Garcia, 1.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 509th overall
Dodgers: Ricky Nolasco, 9.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 60th overall
In regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top batter in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games. However, no Box-Toppers points are awarded during the postseason.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1006 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 4.0 | Dodgers | Hanley Ramirez SS | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2.0 | Pirates | Marlon Byrd RF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mark Trumbo of the Angels is Tuesday's Player of the Day. Trumbo homered and went 5-for-5 in the 12-6 win over the Blue Jays.
Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner is National League Player of the Day. Cashner allowed two runs and struck out seven over 7 2/3 innings in the 8-2 win over the Phillies.
Michael Cuddyer of the Rockies is NL Batter of the Day. Cuddyer hit two homers, including a three-run shot, went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs in the 9-8 win over the Giants. Cuddyer rises to 31st in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. He earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 11.5 for the season.
Notables: Four other Players of the Games from Tuesday are among the top 40 in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season:
Trumbo receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Cashner receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Cuddyer receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.
All of Tuesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 910 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 7.0 | Angels | Mark Trumbo 1B | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 7.0 | Red Sox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Clay Buchholz (W, 10-0) | 5.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |||
| 6.2 | `Royals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Luke Hochevar (H, 6) | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |||
| NL | 5.2 | Padres | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Andrew Cashner (W, 9-8) | 7.2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | ||
| BAT | 4.0 | Rockies | Michael Cuddyer RF | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4.0 | Tigers | Alex Avila C | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 4.0 | Twins | Josh Willingham LF | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 3.2 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shelby Miller (W, 13-9) | 6.2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 3.0 | Astros | Jose Altuve 2B | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 3.0 | Cubs | Welington Castillo C | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 3.0 | Nationals | Jayson Werth RF | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 3.0 | Dodgers | Scott Van Slyke PH | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2.0 | Pirates | Andrew McCutchen CF | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2.0 | Yankees | Alfonso Soriano LF | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2.0 | Braves | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Craig Kimbrel (S, 46) | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Despite being the Major League's most lackluster team of the week, the St. Louis Cardinals are still atop Box-Toppers team rankings for the eighth straight week.
The Cardinals picked up only 1.0 Box-Toppers point over the week, but still have accumulated 63.2 points, the most of any team this season.
However, their lead narrowed over the second-place team, the Boston Red Sox. Last week, the Cards led by 8.2 points and this week they lead by 4.2 points. The Red Sox picked up 5.0 Box-Toppers points over the week and have 59.0 for the season.
The top team for the week, the Los Angeles Dodgers, picked up 8.9 points in the past week, giving them 45.6 points for the season, putting them in 16th place overall.
The Dodgers and last week's top team, the Toronto Blue Jays were Box-Toppers' preseason World Series picks. Both teams started slow but have improved in June. The Blue Jays, with 46.5 points, are now in 15th place overall.
The Texas Rangers were the American League's top team of the week, picking up 6.5 Box-Toppers points, giving them 55.6 for the season. They jump from seventh to fourth in team rankings.
Box-Toppers' top team, the Cardinals, are tied with the Pirates for the best winning percentage in baseball at .615. The Pirates, however, are in sixth place in Box-Toppers rankings. The Cardinals are led by pitchers Shelby Miller (11.4 Box-Toppers points), Lance Lynn (9.4) and Adam Wainwright (8.7).
Box-Toppers' top AL team, the Red Sox, also have the best winning percentage in the AL, .593. The Red Sox are led by pitcher Clay Buchholz (10.1 Box-Toppers points), designated hitter David Ortiz (5.2) and pitcher Jon Lester (4.7).
| 627 | Top 10 Teams | BTP | BTP/wk | Last week rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinals | 63.2 | 1.0 | 1 |
| 2 | Red Sox | 59.0 | 5.0 | 2 |
| 3 | Tigers | 56.2 | 2.7 | 4 |
| 4 | Rangers | 55.6 | 6.5 | 7 |
| 5 | Reds | 55.6 | 2.0 | 3 |
| 6 | Pirates | 55.3 | 5.0 | 5 |
| 7 | Athletics | 54.2 | 4.0 | 6 |
| 8 | Nationals | 51.5 | 4 | 9 |
| 9 | Indians | 51.3 | 4.5 | 10 |
| 10 | Braves | 49.9 | 2.0 | 8 |
The St. Louis Cardinals, atop Box-Toppers team rankings for the seventh straight week, are widening their already dominant lead.
Cardinals players have accumulated the most Box-Toppers points for the season (62.2) and lead the second-place Boston Red Sox (54.0 points) by 8.2 points.
The top team for the week, the Toronto Blue Jays, picked up 7.7 points in the past week, giving them 41.8 for the season, putting them in 16th place overall.
The Cardinals, which also have the best record in the Majors (47-26) are led by pitcher Shelby Miller (11.4 Box-Toppers points), Lance Lynn (9.4) and Adam Wainwright (8.7).
The Red Sox, which also have the best record in the American League (44-31) are led by pitcher Clay Buchholz (10.1 Box-Toppers points), designated hitter David Ortiz (5.2) and pitcher Jon Lester (4.7).
| 620 | Top 10 Teams | BTP | BTP/wk | Last week rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinals | 62.2 | 5.2 | 1 |
| 2 | Red Sox | 54.0 | 4.0 | 2 |
| 3 | Reds | 53.6 | 4.7 | 3 |
| 4 | Tigers | 53.5 | 4.7 | 4 |
| 5 | Pirates | 50.3 | 4.5 | 6 |
| 6 | Athletics | 50.2 | 2.5 | 5 |
| 7 | Rangers | 49.1 | 3.5 | 7 |
| 8 | Braves | 47.9 | 4.0 | 8 |
| 9 | Nationals | 47.5 | 4.0 | 10 |
| 10 | Indians | 46.8 | 5.0 | Not ranked |
BTP: Box-Toppers points total. Accumulated points of all players on team in 2013 season.
BTP/wk: Box-Toppers points for the team for the past week, through games on Thursday.
The St. Louis Cardinals remain atop Box-Toppers team power rankings for the sixth straight week.
Cardinals players have accumulated the most Box-Toppers points for the season (57.0).
The Boston Red Sox remain in second place with 50.0 points.
The Washington Nationals picked up the most points of any team in the past week (6.5), moving up to 10th place on the list. The Nationals have 43.5 for the season.
The Cardinals, which also have the best record in the Majors (43-23) are led by pitcher Shelby Miller (9.7 Box-Toppers points), Adam Wainwright (8.7) and Lance Lynn (8.4).
The Red Sox, which are tied with the Oakland Athletics for the best record in the American League (41-27) are led by pitcher Clay Buchholz (10.1 Box-Toppers points), designated hitter David Ortiz (5.2) and pitcher Jon Lester (4.7).
| 613 | Top 10 Teams | BTP | BTP/wk | Last week rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinals | 57.0 | 4.7 | 1 |
| 2 | Red Sox | 50.0 | 5.0 | 2 |
| 3 | Reds | 48.9 | 5.2 | 3 |
| 4 | Tigers | 48.8 | 5.2 | 4 |
| 5 | Athletics | 47.7 | 5.5 | 6 |
| 6 | Pirates | 45.8 | 6.2 | 10 |
| 7 | Rangers | 45.6 | 2.0 | 5 |
| 8 | Braves | 43.9 | 2.5 | 7 |
| 9 | Diamondbacks | 43.8 | 3.0 | 8 |
| 10 | Nationals | 43.5 | 6.5 | Not ranked |
BTP: Box-Toppers points total. Accumulated points of all players on team in 2013 season.
BTP/wk: Box-Toppers points for the team for the past week, through games on Thursday.
Athletics pitcher Jarrod Parker is Sunday's Player of the Day. Parker struck out seven over 6 1/3 innings in the 2-0 win over the White Sox.
Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee is National League Player of the Day. Lee struck out 11 over 7 2/3 innings in the 7-5 win over the Brewers.
Marcell Ozuna of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Ozuna went 3-for-5 and was a homer short of the cycle in the 11-6 win over the Mets.
Yunel Escobar of the Rays is American League Batter of the Day. Escobar hit a two-run homer and went 3-for-5 in the 11-3 win over the Indians.
Standings update: Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz scored 1.0 Box-Toppers point Sunday to maintain third place in player standings (see updated standings on the home page) for the 2013 season. Also, Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish rose to fourth place on the list. Buchholz (5IP 4K) was Player of the Game in the rain-shortened, six-inning 3-0 win over the Yankees. Darvish (7IP 0R 6K ND) was Player of the Game in the 3-1 win over the Royals. Both Buchholz and Darvish earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game. Buchholz now has 10.1 Box-Toppers points, Darvish has 9.0. Box-Toppers leader Miguel Cabrera has 10.7.
Parker receives 2.0 Box-Toppers
points for being Player of the Day. Lee receives 1.7 for NL
Player of the Day. Ozuna and Escobar each receive 1.5 for being top
Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:
| 602 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 9.1 | Athletics | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Jarrod Parker (W, 4-6) | 6.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 8.0 | `Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Yu Darvish | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | |||
| 6.0 | Red Sox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Clay Buchholz (W, 8-0) | 5.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |||
| NL | 5.2 | Phillies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cliff Lee (W, 7-2) | 7.2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 11 | ||
| BAT | 4.0 | Marlins | Marcell Ozuna RF | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4.0 | Rockies | Dexter Fowler CF | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 4.0 | Twins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Scott Diamond (W, 4-4) | 6.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 4.0 | Pirates | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Justin Wilson (W, 5-0) | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||
| 3.0 | Diamondbacks | Paul Goldschmidt 1B | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 3.0 | Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Chad Gaudin (W, 1-1) | 6.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | |||
| 3.0 | `Orioles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Kevin Gausman | 6.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |||
| BAT | 2.0 | Rays | Yunel Escobar SS | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2.0 | Blue Jays | Mark DeRosa PH, 4,5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1.0 | Astros | Carlos Pena DH | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1.0 | Braves | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Craig Kimbrel (S, 17) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Liriano threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out nine in the 1-0 win over the Cubs.
Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson is American League Player of the Day. Wilson allowed only one run and struck out 10 over eight innings in the 7-1 win over the Mariners.
Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays is American League Batter of the Day. Bautista homered twice, hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning, drove in all of Toronto's four runs and went 4-for-4 in the 4-3 win over the Rays.
Joey Votto of the Reds is National League Batter of the Day. Votto homered and went 2-for-3 in the 7-4 win over the Mets.
Standings update: Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz rises to second place in player standings (see updated standings on the home page) for the 2013 season and Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers rises to fifth. Buchholz (7IP 1R) was Player of the Game in the 6-2 win over the White Sox. Cabrera (HR 2-for-4) was Player of the Game in the 11-7 win over the Indians. Both players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point Wednesday. Buchholz now has 9.1 and Cabrera has 8.2, trailing season leader Justin Masterson of the Indians (9.7).
Liriano receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Wilson receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Bautista and Votto receive 1.5 each for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Wednesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:
| 522 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 13.0 | Pirates | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Francisco Liriano (W, 3-0) | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | ||
| 9.0 | Phillies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cliff Lee (W, 5-2) | 9.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | |||
| AL | 8.0 | Angels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C.J. Wilson (W, 4-3) | 8.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | ||
| BAT | 6.0 | Blue Jays | Jose Bautista RF | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4.1 | `Nationals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Gio Gonzalez | 7.1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |||
| 4.0 | Orioles | Chris Davis 1B | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| BAT | 4.0 | Reds | Joey Votto 1B | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4.0 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tyler Lyons (W, 1-0) | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||
| 4.0 | `Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Neal Cotts (H, 1) | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||
| 3.0 | Tigers | Miguel Cabrera 3B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 3.0 | Braves | Evan Gattis C | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2.0 | Dodgers | Carl Crawford LF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2.0 | Rockies | Carlos Gonzalez LF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1.0 | Astros | Jason Castro C | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1.0 | Red Sox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Clay Buchholz (W, 7-0) | 7.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
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. Players earn Box-Toppers points 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.