Yankees' Shane Greene (7.1IP 0R 9K) tops players for Saturday, July 12

Yankees pitcher Shane Greene is Saturday's Player of the Day. Greene pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 3-0 win over the Orioles.

This was Greene’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,381st player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. Greene made his Major League debut April 24 and was pitching in his third game, making his second start.

Dodgers pitcher Paul Maholm is National League Player of the Day. Maholm pitched six scoreless innings in the 1-0 win over the Padres. He did not earn the win because when he left the game, the score was tied at 0-0.

Kevin Kiermaier of the Rays is American League Batter of the Day. Kiermaier doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in three runs, in the 10-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates is NL Batter of the Day. McCutchen hit two homers and doubled in five at-bats, scoring three times, in the 6-5 win over the Reds. He earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 6.5 for the season and moving him to third place among NL batters in Box-Toppers player rankings. He also passes his Box-Toppers points total for 2013 of 6.0. McCutchen was 2013 NL Most Valuable Player but ranked 22nd among NL batters in Box-Toppers points last season.

Greene receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Maholm receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Kiermaier and McCutchen each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Saturday’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 Saturday, 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

712 Score Team Player AB R H BI BB K IP H R ER BB K
MLB 10.1 Yankees Shane Greene (W, 2-0) - - - - - - 7.1 4 0 0 2 9
NL 8.0 `Dodgers Paul Maholm - - - - - - 6.0 2 0 0 0 4
7.2 Mariners Hisashi Iwakuma (W, 8-4) - - - - - - 8.2 5 2 2 0 8
5.0 White Sox Scott Carroll (W, 4-5) - - - - - - 5.0 2 0 0 1 3
BAT 4.0 Rays Kevin Kiermaier CF 4 2 3 3 1 1 - - - - - -
4.0 Dbacks Wade Miley (W, 5-6) - - - - - - 7.0 4 0 0 3 4
4.0 Nationals Rafael Soriano (S, 22) - - - - - - 1.0 0 0 0 0 3
3.2 Astros Josh Fields (W, 2-4) - - - - - - 1.2 0 0 0 1 3
BAT 3.0 Pirates Andrew McCutchen CF 5 3 3 2 0 1 - - - - - -
3.0 Braves Chris Johnson 3B 5 2 2 4 0 1 - - - - - -
3.0 Cardinals Jhonny Peralta SS 3 2 2 2 0 0 - - - - - -
3.0 Mets Chris Young PH 1 1 1 2 0 0 - - - - - -
3.0 Angels Joe Smith (S, 14) - - - - - - 1.0 0 0 0 0 2
2.0 Tigers Alex Avila C 4 1 2 3 0 2 - - - - - -
2.0 Twins Kurt Suzuki PH, C 1 1 1 1 1 0 - - - - - -

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

 

Top players: Velander, Kershaw atop 2012-13 lists

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is the top-ranked player in Box-Toppers points since the start of the 2012 season.

Verlander has 26.8 Box-Toppers points in that span, 24.8 in 2012 and 2.0 so far in 2013.​

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw leads among all National League players with 23.8 points (20.8 in 2012 and ​3.0 in 2013).

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers leads among American League batters with ​15.9 points (11.7 in 2012 and 4.2 in 2013). Cabrera's strong performance so far this season has moved him to the top spot from third place on this list at the start of the season, passing both Adrian Beltre of the Rangers and Chris Davis of the Orioles.

Ryan Braun of the Brewers is NL's top batter with 12.5 points, all scored in 2012.​

The player with the most points so far in 2013 is Paul Maholm of the Braves with 4.7 points. ​He has moved up to eighth place among NL pitchers for 2012-13, with 15.4 points.

The combined two season totals for players gives a better, more accurate picture of where they stand, especially early into the new season.

What are those numbers after players' names?

2012-2013 LEADERS   
 OVERALL LEADERSPOSTEAMPTS
1Verlander, Justin 2112pi spdet al26.8
2Kershaw, Clayton 2494pi splad nl23.8
3Dickey, R.A. 1734pi sptor al22.1
4Strasburg, Stephen 2736pi spdc nl21.4
5Hernandez, Felix 2064pi spsea al20.4
6Gonzalez, Gio 2626pi spdc nl19.7
7Lynn, Lance 2992pi spstl nl19.7
8Bumgarner, Madison 2753pi spsf nl19.4
9Darvish, Yu 3003pi sptex al18.8
10Scherzer, Max 2588pi spdet al18.7
     
 AL PITCHERS   
1Verlander, Justin 2112pi spdet al26.8
2Dickey, R.A. 1734pi sptor al22.1
3Hernandez, Felix 2064pi spsea al20.4
4Darvish, Yu 3003pi sptex al18.8
5Scherzer, Max 2588pi spdet al18.7
6Sale, Chris 2806pi spchi al17.7
7Sabathia, C.C. 1492pi spnyy al17.1
8Kuroda, Hiroki 2401pi spnyy al16.4
9Weaver, Jered 2178pi spana al15.4
10Shields, Jamie (James) 2157pi spkc al14.7
     
 AL BATTERS   
1Cabrera, Miguel 17763bdet al15.9
2Davis, Chris 24781b lf dh rfbal al14
3Beltre, Adrian 11413btex al13
4Hamilton, Josh 2332cf lfana al11.5
5Butler, Billy 23301b dhkc al11.2
6Trout, Mike 2949cf rf lfana al11
7Mauer, Joe 1869ca dhmin al10.5
8Moss, Brandon 25201boak al10
9Rios, Alex 1989rfchi al9.9
10Napoli, Mike 21611b cabos al9.2
     
 NL PITCHERS   
1Kershaw, Clayton 2494pi splad nl23.8
2Strasburg, Stephen 2736pi spdc nl21.4
3Gonzalez, Gio 2626pi spdc nl19.7
4Lynn, Lance 2992pi spstl nl19.7
5Bumgarner, Madison 2753pi spsf nl19.4
6Medlen, Kris 2596pi spatl nl18
7Chapman, Aroldis 2826pi cpcin nl16
8Maholm, Paul 2078pi spatl nl15.4
9Latos, Mat 2644pi spcin nl15.4
10Kimbrel, Craig 2825pi cpatl nl15
     
 NL BATTERS   
1Braun, Ryan J. 2300lfmil nl12.5
2Gonzalez, Carlos 2460lfcol nl12.2
3Holliday, Matt 1836lfstl nl11.7
4Phillips, Brandon 16912bcin nl11
5Kemp, Matt 2151cflad nl10
6Freese, David 27103bstl nl9.7
7McCutchen, Andrew 2637cfpit nl9.5
8Uggla, Dan 21582batl nl9.5
9Wright, David 19113bnym nl9.5
10Hill, Aaron 20562bari nl9

Braves top Box-Toppers team power rankings

The Atlanta Braves have moved up in Box-Toppers team power rankings to claim the top spot after being No. 2 last week.

The Braves have accumulated the most Box-Toppers points this season (15.4), followed by last week's top team, the Oakland Athletics (14.0). ​The Braves also have the best record in baseball at 13-2 and are 9-1 in their last 10 games. The A's have the best record in the American League at 12-4.

The Braves are led by pitchers Paul Maholm, the overall Box-Toppers points leader this season (4.7)​ and Tim Hudson (2.7). Nine different Braves have been named Player of the Game this season and have at least one Box-Toppers point.

Nine different A's players have also been named Player of the Game this season, led by first baseman Brandon Moss (with 3.0 Box-Toppers points) and shortstop Jed Lowrie (2.5)​

418Top 10 Teams 
1Braves15.4
2Athletics14.0
3Red Sox13.2
4Rockies13.0
5Cardinals12.5
6Tigers11.9
7Rangers11.7
8Reds11.5
9Nationals11.4
10Diamondbacks10.4

Buchholz, Maholm top players for Sunday, April 14

Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz, who was just six outs away from a no-hitter, is Sunday's Player of the Game. Buchholz gave up two hits, walked four and struck out 11 over eight innings in the 5-0 win over the Rays. Buchholz lost the no-hit bid with the Rays' Kelly Johnson's leadoff single in the eighth inning.

Braves pitcher Paul Maholm is National League Player of the Day. ​Maholm struck out seven over 7 2/3 innings and gave up no runs, four hits and one walk in the 9-0 win over the Nationals. It was the Braves' ninth straight win. Maholm, who earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for the day, becomes the season leader in points so far with 4.7.

Michael McKenry of the Pirates was National League Batter of the Day. McKenry homered twice and drove in three runs in the 10-7 win over the Reds.​

No AL batter was named Player of the Game, so no bonus points were awarded Sunday for AL Batter of the Day.

Buchholz receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Maholm receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. McKenry receives 1.5 points for NL Batter of the Day.

All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

414ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB13.0Red Sox 0000000  Clay Buchholz (W, 3-0)8.0200411
 11.0White Sox 0000000  Jake Peavy (W, 2-1)7.0511011
NL9.2Braves 0000000  Paul Maholm (W, 3-0)7.240017
 9.0Yankees 0000000  Hiroki Kuroda (W, 2-1)9.050005
 9.0Rockies 0000000  Jorge De La Rosa (W, 1-1)6.020027
 6.0Tigers 0000000  Anibal Sanchez (W, 2-0)7.031148
 5.1`Diamondbacks 0000000  Trevor Cahill 7.160004
 4.1Angels 0000000  Ernesto Frieri (S, 2)1.110004
BAT3.0Pirates Michael McKenry C422301  00.000000
 2.1`Mariners 0000000  Stephen Pryor (H, 3)1.100012
 2.0Giants Hunter Pence RF423111  00.000000
 2.0Phillies Laynce Nix PH111100  00.000000
 2.0Royals 0000000  Kelvin Herrera (W, 1-0)1.000001
 1.1Brewers 0000000  Brandon Kintzler (W, 1-0)1.100011

Top 10: Kershaw among best players for 2013

Five players are tied at the top the 2013 Box-Toppers ​leaders list less than two weeks into the season.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who led National League players in Box-Toppers points in 2012, is one of the five with 3.0 Box-Toppers points.

The others are Braves pitcher Paul Maholm, Indians pitcher Justin Masterson, Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss and Mets pitcher Matt Harvey.

All five players have been named Player of the Game in two of their teams' wins. In one of the wins, each player was also named Player of the Day, earning 2.0 Box-Toppers points for the game. ​

Kershaw, Maholm and Harvey lead all NL pitchers. ​

Masterson leads all American League pitchers.​

Moss leads all AL batters.​

Two players are tied at the top of the NL batters list: Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter and Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer both have 2.5 Box-Toppers points.

Obviously, the season is very young, teams have only played about 10 games and most players on the list have only been named Player of the Game once, so the statistics are a little threadbare. As the season progresses, those statistics will fill in, giving a better picture of the best players. We'll have another report on 2013's top players in a couple of weeks.

What are those numbers after players' names?

2013 LEADERS   
 OVERALL LEADERSPOSTEAMPTS
1Kershaw, Clayton 2494pi splad nl3
2Maholm, Paul 2078pi spatl nl3
3Masterson, Justin 2462pi spcle al3
4Moss, Brandon 25201boak al3
5Harvey, Matt 3075pi spnym nl3
6Cabrera, Miguel 17763bdet al2.7
7Moore, Matt 2975pi sptb al2.7
8Carpenter, Matt 29872b lf 1b rfstl nl2.5
9Cuddyer, Michael 1826 rf phcol nl2.5
10Gonzalez, Gio 2626pi spdc nl2
     
 AL PITCHERS   
1Masterson, Justin 2462pi spcle al3
2Moore, Matt 2975pi sptb al2.7
3Darvish, Yu 3003pi sptex al2
4Sale, Chris 2806pi spchi al2
5Bedard, Erik 1914pi sphou al2
6Hernandez, Felix 2064pi spsea al1.7
7Buchholz, Clay 2363pi spbos al1.7
8Guthrie, Jeremy 2290pi spkc al1.7
9Happ, J.A. 2536pi sptor al1.7
10Ogando, Alexi 2739pi sptex al1.7
     
 AL BATTERS   
1Moss, Brandon 25201boak al3
2Cabrera, Miguel 17763bdet al2.7
3Davis, Chris 24781b lf dh rfbal al2
4Fielder, Prince 20291bdet al2
5Butler, Billy 23301b dhkc al1.5
6Pujols, Albert 1438dh 1bana al1.5
7Wieters, Matt 2643cabal al1.5
8Reddick, Josh 2936rfoak al1.5
9Saltalamacchia, Jarod 2355cabos al1.5
10Hosmer, Eric 28861bkc al1.5
     
 NL PITCHERS   
1Kershaw, Clayton 2494pi splad nl3
2Maholm, Paul 2078pi spatl nl3
3Harvey, Matt 3075pi spnym nl3
4Gonzalez, Gio 2626pi spdc nl2
5Lynn, Lance 2992pi spstl nl2
6Greinke, Zack 1871pi splad nl2
7Samardzija, Jeff 2495pi spchi nl2
8Minor, Mike 2894pi spatl nl2
9Lee, Cliff 1798pi spphi nl2
10Bumgarner, Madison 2753pi spsf nl1.7
     
 NL BATTERS   
1Carpenter, Matt 29872b lf 1b rfstl nl2.5
2Cuddyer, Michael 1826rf phcol nl2.5
3Harper, Bryce 3011lfdc nl1.7
4Pollock, A.J. 3142cfari nl1.7
5Phillips, Brandon 16912bcin nl1.5
6Gonzalez, Carlos 2460lfcol nl1.5
7Bruce, Jay 2453rfcin nl1.5
8Venable, Will 2621rfsd nl1.5
9Werth, Jayson 1664rfdc nl1.5
10Cowgill, Collin 3046cf lfnym nl1.5

Top 5: Oakland tops list of best teams

The Oakland Athletics are the top team in baseball two weeks into the season.

A's players ​have accumulated more Box-Toppers points than any other team (10.0), closely followed by the Atlanta Braves (9.7). The A's also lead the American League West with an 8-2 record. The Braves lead the National League East with an 8-1 record.

The A's are led by first baseman Brandon Moss, who has been Player of the Game in two Oakland wins and has 3.0 Box-Toppers points. The Braves are led by pitchers Paul Maholm (3.0 Box-Toppers points) and Mike Minor (2.0 Box-Toppers points).

411Top 5 Teams 
1Athletics10.0
2Braves9.7
3Rangers8.7
4Nationals8.2
5Dodgers8.0

Top players for Monday, April 8

Braves pitcher Paul Maholm is Monday's Player of the Day. Maholm pitched seven innings, striking out seven and allowing one hit, no runs and three walks in the 2-0 win over the Marlins.

Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is American League Player of the Day. Buchholz threw seven shutout innings and struck out eight in the 3-1 win over the Orioles.​

Travis Hafner of the Yankees is American League Batter of the Day. Hafner hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-3 in the 11-6 win over the Indians.​

Jay Bruce of the Reds is National League Batter of the Day. Bruce went 4-for-5 in the 13-4 win over the Cardinals.​

Maholm receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Buchholz receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Hafner receives 1.5 points for AL Batter of the Day. Bruce receives 1.5 points for NL Batter of the Day.

All of Monday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

408ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB10.0Braves 0000000  Paul Maholm (W, 2-0)7.010037
 9.0Mets 0000000  Matt Harvey (W, 2-0)7.031129
AL8.0Red Sox 0000000  Clay Buchholz (W, 2-0)7.030048
BAT6.0Yankees Travis Hafner DH332420  00.000000
 5.0`Pirates 0000000  Justin Wilson 3.000002
 4.1Mariners 0000000  Joe Saunders (W, 1-1)6.160015
 4.0Royals 0000000  Ervin Santana (W, 1-1)8.081117
 3.1`Giants 0000000  Santiago Casilla (H, 1)1.100002
 3.0Brewers 0000000  Marco Estrada (W, 1-0)7.052216
BAT2.0Reds Jay Bruce RF524110  00.000000
 2.0Rangers Mitch Moreland 1B313100  00.000000