Phillies' Cliff Lee (8IP 0R 10K) tops players for Monday, April 21

Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee is Monday’s Player of the Day. Lee pitched eight scoreless innings, striking out 10 and allowing only four hits, in the 7-0 win over the Dodgers.

Angels pitcher Garrett Richards is American League Player of the Day. Richards gave up one hit and one run over six innings in the 4-2 win over the Nationals. Richards picked up a no-decision and did not earn the win because he left the game with the Angels trailing 1-0.

Ike Davis of the Pirates (recently traded from the Mets) is National League Batter of the Day. Davis hit a grand slam and went 2-for-4 in the 6-5 win over the Reds.

Matt Dominguez of the Astros is AL Batter of the Day. Dominguez hit a two-run homer, drove in three and went 2-for-3 in the 7-2 win over the Mariners.

Lee receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Richards receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Davis and Dominguez each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

421	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	14.0	Phillies	Cliff Lee (W, 3-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	4	0	0	0	10
	8.0	Cubs	Travis Wood (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	1	1	0	9
	7.0	`Braves	Julio Teheran	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	1	1	1	8
	6.2	Mets	Jenrry Mejia (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.2	4	0	0	3	7
AL	5.0	`Angels	Garrett Richards	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	1	1	1	4	6
BAT	3.0	Pirates	Ike Davis 1B	4	1	2	4	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Rockies	Wilin Rosario C	4	2	2	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
BAT	3.0	Astros	Matt Dominguez DH	3	1	2	3	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Indians	Jason Kipnis 2B	4	2	2	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Rangers	Joakim Soria (S, 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Brewers	Scooter Gennett 2B	3	1	2	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	0.2	`White Sox	Ronald Belisario (H, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.2	2	0	0	0	1
	0.0	Orioles	Steve Clevenger C	4	2	1	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Dodgers' Josh Beckett (5IP 0R 7K ND) tops players for Sunday, April 20

Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Beckett pitched five scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out seven in the 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Beckett picked up a no-decision and did not pick up the win. He left with the game in a scoreless tie.

Yankees pitcher Vidal Nuno is American League Player of the Day. Nuno pitched five scoreless innings and struck out six in the 5-1, 12-inning win over the Rays. Nuno picked up a no-decision and did not earn the win. He left with the Yankees leading, but the Rays tied the game in the seventh. This was Nuno’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,314th player to debut on Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Ryan Howard of the Phillies is National League Batter of the Day. Howard homered, tripled, went 4-for-5, scored three times and drove in three in the 10-9 win over the Rockies.

Marcus Semien of the White Sox is AL Batter of the Day. Semien went 4-for-6 with a triple and drove in four runs in the 16-2 win over the Rangers.

Beckett receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Nuno receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Howard and Semien each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

420	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	9.0	`Dodgers	Josh Beckett	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	1	0	0	2	7
	7.0	`Mets	Daisuke Matsuzaka	-	-	-	-	-	-		3.0	0	0	0	1	5
AL	6.0	`Yankees	Vidal Nuno	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	3	0	0	2	6
BAT	5.0	Phillies	Ryan Howard 1B	5	3	4	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	5.0	`Nationals	Stephen Strasburg	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	5	2	2	1	9
	5.0	Reds	Homer Bailey (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	6	0	0	3	8
BAT	4.0	White Sox	Marcus Semien 2B	6	2	4	4	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Athletics	Josh Donaldson 3B	4	1	3	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Twins	Trevor Plouffe 3B	4	2	3	2	1	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Indians	Michael Brantley LF	3	2	2	2	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Tigers	Rick Porcello (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	1	1	1	4
	2.0	Red Sox	Jonny Gomes LF	4	1	2	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Brewers	Zach Duke (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	2	0	0	0	2
	2.0	Marlins	Mike Dunn (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	0.0	Giants	Buster Posey C	4	1	1	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Marlins' Henderson Alvarez (CG 0R 2H) tops players for Saturday, April 19; Braun rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers points

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez is Saturday’s Player of the Day. Alvarez pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout in the 7-0 win over the Mariners.

Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer is American League Player of the Day. Scherzer struck out nine over seven innings, allowing only one run, in the 5-2 win over the Angels.

Ryan Hanigan of the Rays is AL Batter of the Day. Hanigan hit two homers while going 3-for-4 and driving in six in the 16-1 win over the Yankees.

Ryan Braun of the Brewers is National League Batter of the Day. Braun hit two home runs—including a go-ahead, ninth-inning, two-run homer—and went 3-for-5 in the 8-7 win over the Pirates. Braun rises to second place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. He earned 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 4.5 for the season. (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Notables: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rises to fifth place on Box-Toppers player rankings and Braves pitcher Ervin Santana rises to sixth place after both were Players of the Game Saturday.  (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Kazmir (8IP 5K ND in 4-3 win vs. Astros) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.0 for the season.

Santana (7IP 7K W in 7-5 win vs. Mets) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.0 for the season.

Alvarez receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Scherzer receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Hanigan and Braun each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

419	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	11.0	Marlins	Henderson Alvarez (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	2	0	0	0	4
AL	9.0	Tigers	Max Scherzer (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	1	1	2	9
BAT	7.0	Rays	Ryan Hanigan C	4	2	3	6	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
BAT	5.0	Brewers	Ryan Braun RF	5	4	3	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Braves	Ervin Santana (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	1	1	2	7
	3.0	Blue Jays	Mark Buehrle (W, 4-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	3	3
	3.0	Padres	Eric Stults (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	3	1	1	0	2
	3.0	`Royals	Danny Duffy (H, 1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	0	0	0	1	2
	3.0	Red Sox	Koji Uehara (S, 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	1	3
	2.0	Cubs	Welington Castillo C	4	2	2	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Dodgers	Adrian Gonzalez 1B	4	2	2	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	`Athletics	Scott Kazmir	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	6	3	2	0	5
	2.0	Rockies	Jordan Lyles (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	1	0	1	2
	2.0	Rangers	Joakim Soria (S, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Cardinals	Tony Cruz C	4	1	2	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Rangers' Martin Perez (CG 0R 8K) tops players for Friday, April 18

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez is Friday’s Player of the Day. Perez pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout, striking out eight, in the 12-0 win over the White Sox.

Perez rises to sixth place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. He earned 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 4.0 for the season. (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Padres pitcher Tyler Ross is National League Player of the Day. Ross pitched eight shutout innings, striking out nine, in the 2-1 win over the Giants.

Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Stanton hit a walk-off grand slam home run and went 3-for-3 and drove in five in the 8-4 win over the Mariners. Stanton rises to ninth place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. He earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 3.2 for the season. (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Howie Kendrick of the Angels is American League Batter of the Day. Kendrick hit a pair of two-run homers and went 3-for-5 in the 11-6 win over the Tigers.

Perez receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Ross receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Stanton and Kendrick each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

418	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	13.0	Rangers	Martin Perez (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	3	0	0	1	8
NL	12.0	Padres	Tyson Ross (W, 2-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	4	0	0	1	9
	9.0	Rockies	Tyler Chatwood (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	2	1	0	1	6
BAT	7.0	Marlins	Giancarlo Stanton RF	3	2	3	5	2	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	7.0	Nationals	Gio Gonzalez (W, 3-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	1	1	1	7
	6.0	Braves	Aaron Harang (W, 3-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	0	0	0	6	5
	5.0	`DBacks	Wade Miley	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	2	1	1	5	8
BAT	4.0	Angels	Howie Kendrick DH	5	2	3	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Athletics	Yoenis Cespedes LF	4	2	3	3	1	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Rays	Sean Rodriguez PH, LF	2	2	1	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Royals	Jason Vargas (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	7	0	0	1	4
	2.1	`Blue Jays	Drew Hutchison	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.1	8	2	2	0	9
	2.0	Orioles	Jonathan Schoop 3B	5	1	4	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Reds	Alfredo Simon (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	4	1	0	2	3
	1.0	Brewers	Martin Maldonado C	3	0	3	1	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Twins' Chris Colabello is unlikely leader in Box-Toppers points for 2014

Chris Colabello of the Twins, the 30-year-old in his first full Major League season after seven seasons in independent leagues, is the unlikely leader in Box-Toppers points so far this season.

Colabello, who has 5.2 Box-Toppers points, has played first base, designated hitter and right field. He has been Player of the Game in four of the Twins’ eight wins. He was in second place overall in last week’s player standings.

Top players

Through Thursday, April 17

	OVERALL LEADERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Colabello, Chris 3235	1b dh rf	min al	5.2
2	Hernandez, Felix 2064	pi sp	sea al	4.4
3	Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	4.0
4	Ryu, Hyun-Jin 3139	pi sp	lad nl	4.0
5	Cashner, Andrew 2807	pi sp	sd nl	4.0
6	Darvish, Yu 3003	pi sp	tex al	3.7
7	Freeman, Freddie 2887	1b	atl nl	3.2
8	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	3.0
9	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	chi al	3.0
10	Kazmir, Scott 1947	pi sp	oak al	3.0
	AL PITCHERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Hernandez, Felix 2064	pi sp	sea al	4.4
2	Darvish, Yu 3003	pi sp	tex al	3.7
3	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	chi al	3.0
4	Kazmir, Scott 1947	pi sp	oak al	3.0
5	McAllister, Zach 3088	pi sp	cle al	2.7
6	Chavez, Jesse 2780	pi sp	oak al	2.7
7	Tanaka, Masahiro 3305	pi sp	nyy al	2.7
8	Archer, Chris 3194	pi sp	tb al	2.0
9	Buehrle, Mark 1407	pi sp	tor al	2.0
10	Cobb, Alex 2916	pi sp	tb al	2.0
	AL BATTERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Colabello, Chris 3235	1b dh rf	min al	5.2
2	Murphy, David 2348	rf	cle al	3.0
3	Lowrie, Jed 2437	ss	oak al	2.0
4	Hamilton, Josh 2332	lf	ana al	1.7
5	Moss, Brandon 2520	1b	oak al	1.5
6	Joyce, Matt 2480	dh lf rf	tb al	1.5
7	Wieters, Matt 2643	ca	bal al	1.5
8	Hunter, Torii 1190	rf	det al	1.5
9	Moreland, Mitch 2799	dh 1b	tex al	1.5
10	Gillaspie, Conor 3218	3b	chi al	1.5
	NL PITCHERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	4.0
2	Ryu, Hyun-Jin 3139	pi sp	lad nl	4.0
3	Cashner, Andrew 2807	pi sp	sd nl	4.0
4	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	3.0
5	Santana, Ervin 2005	pi sp	atl nl	3.0
6	Gallardo, Yovani 2333	pi sp	mil nl	3.0
7	Hammel, Jason 2235	pi sp	chi nl	3.0
8	Greinke, Zack 1871	pi sp	lad nl	2.7
9	Bumgarner, Madison 2753	pi sp	sf nl	2.5
10	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	2.0
	NL BATTERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Freeman, Freddie 2887	1b	atl nl	3.2
2	Braun, Ryan J. 2300	rf	mil nl	3.0
3	Tulowitzki, Troy 2308	ss	col nl	2.7
4	Alvarez, Pedro 2817	3b	pit nl	2.5
5	Duda, Lucas 2818	1b lf	nym nl	2.5
6	Upton, Justin 2411	lf	atl nl	2.0
7	Utley, Chase 1861	2b	phi nl	2.0
8	Blackmon, Charlie 2891	cf lf	col nl	2.0
9	Stanton, Giancarlo 2737	rf	fla nl	1.7
10	Murphy, Daniel 2589	2b	nym nl	1.5

BTP: Box-Toppers points

Last week’s top player, Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, falls to second place overall with 4.4 Box-Toppers points. He still leads all American League pitchers.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, in third place overall with 4.0 Box-Toppers points, is top National League pitcher.

Freddie Freeman of the Braves, in seventh place overall with 3.2 Box-Toppers points, leads all NL batters.

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.

What are those numbers after players' names?

St. Louis Cardinals' hot week puts them atop Box-Toppers team rankings

The St. Louis Cardinals put up more Box-Toppers points than any other team during the past week and are now on top of Box-Toppers team power rankings.

Cardinals players accumulated 7.0 points for the week ending Thursday, April 17, giving them 13.0 for the season. They rose from 13th place in last week’s standings.

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, April 17. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

417	Teams	BTP	BTP/wk	Last week rank
1	Cardinals	13.0	7.0	13
2	Brewers	12.7	4.7	3
3	Dodgers	12.7	4.7	4
4	Athletics	12.2	5.7	7
5	Braves	12.2	5.5	6
6	White Sox	11.5	4.5	5
7	Yankees	11.4	5.7	15
8	Rockies	11.2	3.0	1
9	Giants	10.5	4.5	14
10	Nationals	10.5	2.5	2

The Cardinals are one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central division with a 10-6 record. The Brewers, at 11-5 with the best record in baseball, are in second place on Box-Toppers power rankings with 12.7 points, rising from third place last week.

The Cardinals are led by pitchers Adam Wainwright (4.0 Box-Toppers points) and Lance Lynn (2.0).

The Oakland Athletics are the top American League team, in fourth place overall with 12.2 Box-Toppers points. The Athletics are led by pitchers Scott Kazmir (3.0) and Jesse Chavez (2.7).

Last week’s leading team, the Colorado Rockies, fell to eighth place, scoring 3.0 Box-Toppers points during the week, giving them 11.2 for the season.

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.

Cardinals' Wainwright tops players for Thursday, April 17; Twins' Colabello takes Box-Toppers points lead

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is Thursday’s Player of the Day, while Chris Colabello of the Twins takes the lead in Box-Toppers season player standings.

Wainwright pitched a complete-game, two-hit shutout, striking out eight, in the 8-0 win over the Nationals. He earned 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 4.0 for the season, rising to third place in Box-Toppers player rankings. (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Colabello rose from second to first place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season after earning Player of the Game honors in the Twins 9-5 win over the Blue Jays. Colabello (3-4 3RBI) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 5.2 this season. (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Royals pitcher James Shields is American League Player of the Day. Shields allowed one run over eight innings and struck out 12 in the 5-1 win over the Astros. Shields and Wainwright were tied with Box-Toppers game scores of 12.0, but Wainwright was given the nod as Player of the Day because he had more innings pitched (nine vs. eight).

Mitch Moreland of the Rangers is AL Batter of the Day. Moreland went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs in the 8-6 win over the Mariners.

Pedro Alvarez of the Pirates is National League Batter of the Day. Alvarez hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-3 in the 11-2 win over the Brewers.

Notable: Hyun-Jin Ryu rose to fourth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season after earning Player of the Game honors. Ryu (7IP 0R W in the 2-1 win over the Giants) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.0 for the season. (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Wainwright receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Shields receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Moreland and Alvarez each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Thursday'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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

417	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	12.0	Cardinals	Adam Wainwright (W, 3-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	2	0	0	3	8
AL	12.0	Royals	James Shields (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	4	1	1	2	12
	8.0	Red Sox	Jon Lester (W, 2-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	7	1	1	0	9
	7.0	Twins	Kyle Gibson (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	4	0	0	1	4
	7.0	`Phillies	A.J. Burnett	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	0	0	2	5
	5.0	Dodgers	Hyun-Jin Ryu (W, 3-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	1	3
BAT	4.0	Rangers	Mitch Moreland DH	3	2	2	3	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Rockies	Franklin Morales (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	4	1	1	1	5
BAT	3.0	Pirates	Pedro Alvarez 3B	3	1	2	3	2	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Yankees	Brian Roberts 2B	5	2	3	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Tigers	Ian Kinsler 2B	5	1	2	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Twins	Chris Colabello 1B	4	0	3	3	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Reds' Johnny Cueto (CG 0R 3H 12K) tops players for Wednesday, April 16

Reds pitchers Johnny Cueto is Wednesday’s Player of the Day. Cueto pitched a complete-game shutout, struck out 12 and gave up just three hits in the 4-0 win over the Pirates.

Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is American League Player of the Day. Tanaka pitched eight shutout innings, struck out 10 and gave up just two hits in the 3-0 win over the Cubs.

Zach Walters of the Nationals is National League Batter of the Day. Walters hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead home run in the 6-3 win over the Marlins. This was Walter's Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,311th player to debut since Box-Toppers record keeping began in 1995.

There is no AL Batter of the Day for Wednesday because no AL batter earned Player of the Game honors.

Notable: Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish rises to fourth place in Box-Toppers player rankings. Darvish (7IP 8K ND in 3-2 win vs. Mariners) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 3.7 for the season. (See updated Box-Toppers Player Rankings for the season.)

Cueto receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Tanaka receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Walters receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Wednesday’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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

416	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	18.0	Reds	Johnny Cueto (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	3	0	0	0	12
AL	15.0	Yankees	Masahiro Tanaka (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	2	0	0	1	10
	10.0	Braves	Julio Teheran (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	3	0	0	0	4
	7.0	Mets	Dillon Gee (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	0	0	0	3
	5.0	Orioles	Miguel Gonzalez (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	3	0	0	3	6
	4.2	Red Sox	Chris Capuano (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.2	1	0	0	0	3
	4.0	Yankees	Michael Pineda (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	4	0	0	1	3
	4.0	`Angels	Fernando Salas	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Giants	Sergio Romo (S, 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
BAT	2.0	Nationals	Zach Walters PH	1	1	1	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	`Rangers	Yu Darvish	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	7	2	2	2	8
	2.0	Indians	Zach McAllister (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	4	1	1	2	4
	2.0	Royals	Danny Duffy (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	3	0	0	1	4
	2.0	Padres	Huston Street (S, 5)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	1	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Brewers	Aramis Ramirez 3B	4	1	3	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

White Sox' Erik Johnson (6.2IP 9K ND) tops players for Tuesday, April 15

White Sox pitcher Erik Johnson is Tuesday’s Player of the Day. Johnson struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings in the 2-1 win over the Red Sox.

Johnson picked up a no-decision and did not earn the win because he left the mound with the game tied 1-1.

Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins is National League Player of the Day. Stanton hit a three-run homer, drove in five runs, scored three times and went 2-for-4 in the 11-2 win over the Nationals.

Brett Lawrie of the Blue Jays is American League Batter of the Day. Lawrie hit a grand slam and drove in five runs in the 9-3 win over the Twins.

Notable: Reds pitcher Mike Leake was Player of the Game for batting in the 7-5 win over the Pirates. Leake hit a two-run homer and doubled, scored two runs and went 2-for-3 at the plate, giving him a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0. He narrowly beat out Mike Leake (himself) the pitcher for top player in the game. Leake struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings and had a Box-Toppers game score of +2.2 as a pitcher. Leake is the second pitcher this season to earn Player of the Game honors as a batter (Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner did it on April 11.) In 2013, six pitchers won Player of the Game honors for batting.

Johnson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Stanton receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Lawrie receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day.

All of Tuesday’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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

415	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	8.2	`White Sox	Erik Johnson	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.2	3	1	1	2	9
NL	6.0	Marlins	Giancarlo Stanton RF	4	3	2	5	1	2		-	-	-	-	-	-
	5.0	Cardinals	Shelby Miller (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	3	1	1	3	7
	4.2	Rangers	Robbie Ross Jr. (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.2	5	0	0	0	2
	4.0	Royals	Yordano Ventura (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	2	1	3	7
	4.0	Mets	Jenrry Mejia (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	2	0	0	2	3
BAT	3.0	Blue Jays	Brett Lawrie 3B	4	1	1	5	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Reds	Mike Leake P	3	2	2	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	`Giants	Tim Lincecum	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	5	1	1	0	5
	3.0	Pirates	Jason Grilli (S, 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Athletics	Jed Lowrie SS	5	2	3	1	1	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	1.0	Rockies	Troy Tulowitzki SS	3	2	2	0	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Cardinals' Lance Lynn (7IP 0R 11K) tops players for Monday, April 14

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn is Monday’s Player of the Day. Lynn pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out 11 in the 4-0 win over the Brewers.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez is American League Player of the Day. Chavez struck out nine over seven innings in the 3-2 win over the Angels. Chavez earned a no-decision in the game and did not pick up the win because he left the game with the Athletics trailing, 2-1.

Lucas Duda of the Mets is National League Batter of the Day. Duda went 4-for-5 and drove in two runs in the 7-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Matt Wieters of the Orioles is AL Batter of the Day. Wieters went 3-for-4, drove in one run and scored twice in the 7-1 win over the Rays.

Notable: Braves pitcher Ervin Santana rises to eighth place on Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. Santana (6IP 11K ND) was Player of the Game in the 9-6 win over the Phillies, earning 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 3.0 for the season. (See updated top 10 player rankings for the season.)

Lynn receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Chavez receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Duda and Wieters each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Monday’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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

414	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	12.0	Cardinals	Lance Lynn (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	0	0	3	11
AL	9.0	`Athletics	Jesse Chavez	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	2	1	0	9
	9.0	`Braves	Ervin Santana	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	4	1	1	2	11
	3.0	Nationals	Jordan Zimmermann (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	2	2	1	7
	2.2	Mariners	Roenis Elias (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.2	5	1	1	2	5
BAT	2.0	Mets	Lucas Duda 1B, LF	5	1	4	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
BAT	2.0	Orioles	Matt Wieters C	4	2	3	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Padres	Tommy Medica PH	1	1	1	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Athletics' Scott Kazmir (6IP 0R 9K) tops players for Sunday, April 13

Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Kazmir pitched six scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 3-0 win over the Mariners.

Kazmir earned a no decision Sunday and did not pick up the win because he left the mound with the game tied 0-0. Kazmir rises to seventh place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season. He earned 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 3.0 for the season.

Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse is National League Player of the Day. Lohse struck out nine and gave up one run over 8 2/3 innings in the 4-1 win over the Pirates.

Freddie Freeman of the Braves is NL Batter of the Day. Freeman hit a two-run homer and went 2-for-3 and drove in four runs in the 10-2 win over the Nationals. Freeman, who earned 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, rises to fourth place among all players for the season, with 3.2 Box-Toppers points.

Colby Rasmus of the Blue Jays is American League Batter of the Day. Rasmus homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, driving in three runs in the 11-3 win over the Orioles.

Kazmir receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Lohse receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Freeman and Rasmus 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

413	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	13.0	`Athletics	Scott Kazmir	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	2	0	0	0	9
NL	11.2	Brewers	Kyle Lohse (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.2	4	1	1	0	9
BAT	5.0	Braves	Freddie Freeman 1B	3	2	2	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	5.0	Reds	Chris Heisey PH	1	1	1	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	5.0	Padres	Tyson Ross (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	1	1	1	7
BAT	4.0	Blue Jays	Colby Rasmus CF	4	2	3	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Angels	Ian Stewart 3B	4	2	2	3	1	2		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	`White Sox	Jose Quintana	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	5	1	1	2	6
	3.0	Twins	Glen Perkins (S, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Dodgers	Kenley Jansen (S, 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Yankees	Shawn Kelley (S, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.1	Cardinals	Michael Wacha (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.1	5	3	3	1	8
	2.0	Phillies	Chase Utley 2B	4	2	3	1	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Rangers	Martin Perez (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	5	0	0	3	2
	1.0	Giants	Brandon Crawford SS	3	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.

Rays' Alex Cobb (7IP 0R) tops players for Saturday, April 12

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb is Saturday’s Player of the Day. Cobb pitched seven scoreless innings in the 1-0 win over the Reds.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is National League Player of the Day. Greinke struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings in the 8-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

David Murphy of the Indians is American League Batter of the Day. Murphy homered, tripled and drove in four runs in the 12-6 win over the White Sox. Murphy earned 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 3.0 for the season, and now ranks ninth place among all players in Box-Toppers points for the season.

Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies is NL Batter of the Day. Rollins hit a 10th inning, walk-off home run in the 5-4 win over the Marlins. He went 3-5 in the game and drove in two runs.

Notable: Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. Gallardo (6IP 6K ND) was top player in the 3-2 win over the Pirates. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 3.0 for the season.

Cobb receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Greinke receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Murphy and Rollins 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 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

412	Score	Team	Players	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	8.0	Rays	Alex Cobb (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	0	5
	7.0	Athletics	Sonny Gray (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	1	1	2	9
	4.0	Twins	Ricky Nolasco (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	5	1	1	1	4
NL	3.1	Dodgers	Zack Greinke (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.1	8	1	1	0	8
BAT	3.0	Indians	David Murphy RF	5	2	2	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Yankees	Brian McCann C	4	2	2	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	`Orioles	Bud Norris	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	0	0	3	4
	3.0	`Rockies	Brett Anderson	-	-	-	-	-	-		3.0	1	0	0	1	2
BAT	2.0	Phillies	Jimmy Rollins SS	5	2	3	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Braves	Justin Upton LF	4	2	3	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Astros	Robbie Grossman LF	4	1	2	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Tigers	Justin Verlander (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	8	2	2	1	8
	2.0	Mets	John Lannan (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Cardinals	Daniel Descalso SS, 2B	4	2	2	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	1.0	`Brewers	Yovani Gallardo	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	6	2	2	1	6

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

Padres' Andrew Cashner pitches shutout, tops players for Friday, April 11

Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner is Friday’s Player of the Day. Cashner pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout, striking out 11, in the 6-0 win over the Tigers.

Cashner earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 4.0 for the season, moving him into third place among all players in Box-Toppers player rankings.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish is American League Player of the Day. Darvish pitched eight scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and striking out nine, in the 1-0, 12-inning win over the Astros. Darvish earned a no-decision and did not pick up the win because he left when the game was in a scoreless tie.

Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is National League Batter of the Day. Bumgarner hit a grand slam and a sacrifice fly, driving in five runs and going 1-1 in the 6-5 win over the Rockies. Bumgarner also picked up the win as pitcher, though his Box-Toppers game score as pitcher was −6, while his Box-Toppers game score as batter of +6 topped all players for the Giants. He is the first pitcher to earn Player of the Game honors for batting in 2014. In 2013, six pitchers won Player of the Game honors for batting.

Connor Gillaspie of the White Sox is AL Batter of the Day. Gillaspie drove in four runs and went 2-3 in the 9-6 win over the Indians.

Notable: Box-Toppers points leader for 2014 Felix Hernandez scored again to maintain his lead. The Mariners pitcher was Player of the Game in the 6-4 win over the Athletics. Hernandez (7IP 2R 11K W) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.4 for the season, in first place among all players.

Hernandez now has 126.9 career Box-Toppers points, ranked 25th on the all-time list (Box-Toppers record keeping began in 1995). With Friday's point, Hernandez passed both David Ortiz and Mariano Rivera on the list, both of whom have 126.4 career Box-Toppers points.

Chris Colabello of the Twins maintained his hold on second place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors in the 10-1 win over the Royals. Colabello (2-3 3RBI R) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.2 for the season.

Cashner receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Darvish receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Bumgarner and Gillaspie each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Friday’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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

411	Score	Team	Players	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	17.0	Padres	Andrew Cashner (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	1	0	0	2	11
AL	15.0	`Rangers	Yu Darvish	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	1	0	0	1	9
	12.0	Dodgers	Hyun-Jin Ryu (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	2	0	0	1	8
	11.1	Rays	David Price (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.1	4	1	1	1	10
	10.0	Mariners	Felix Hernandez (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	2	2	0	11
BAT	6.0	Giants	Madison Bumgarner P	1	1	1	5	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.2	`Blue Jays	Brett Cecil (H, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.2	0	0	0	0	3
	4.0	Braves	Justin Upton LF	3	2	3	2	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Brewers	Francisco Rodriguez (S, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	3.0	White Sox	Conor Gillaspie 3B	3	0	2	4	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Twins	Chris Colabello RF	3	1	2	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	`Cubs	Jeff Samardzija	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	1	1	0	4
	3.0	`Angels	Ernesto Frieri	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.2	Phillies	Jake Diekman (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		0.2	0	0	0	0	2
	2.0	Red Sox	Grady Sizemore LF	4	1	2	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Mariners' Felix Hernandez leads all players in Box-Toppers points for 2014

Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez leads all players in Box-Toppers points two weeks into the season.

Hernandez has 3.4 Box-Toppers points. He earned 1.7 Box-Toppers points on March 31 and another 1.7 on April 5, earning American League Player of the Day honors in both starts.

Chris Collabello of the Twins is ranked second among all players and first among AL batters with 3.2 Box-Toppers points.

Top players

Through Thursday, April 10

	2014 LEADERS
	OVERALL LEADERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Hernandez, Felix 2064	pi sp	sea al	3.4
2	Colabello, Chris 3235	1b dh	min al	3.2
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	3.0
4	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	chi al	3.0
5	Braun, Ryan J. 2300	rf	mil nl	3.0
6	Hammel, Jason 2235	pi sp	chi nl	3.0
7	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	2.0
8	Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	2.0
9	Gonzalez, Gio 2626	pi sp	dc nl	2.0
10	Archer, Chris 3194	pi sp	tb al	2.0
	AL PITCHERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Hernandez, Felix 2064	pi sp	sea al	3.4
2	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	chi al	3.0
3	Archer, Chris 3194	pi sp	tb al	2.0
4	Buehrle, Mark 1407	pi sp	tor al	2.0
5	Wilson, C.J. 2074	pi sp	ana al	2.0
6	Feldman, Scott 2632	pi cp	hou al	2.0
7	Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	bos al	2.0
8	Smyly, Drew 3009	pi mr cp	det al	2.0
9	McAllister, Zach 3088	pi sp	cle al	1.7
10	Phelps, David 2994	pi cp sp	nyy al	1.7
	AL BATTERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Colabello, Chris 3235	1b dh	min al	3.2
2	Hamilton, Josh 2332	lf	ana al	1.7
3	Moss, Brandon 2520	1b	oak al	1.5
4	Joyce, Matt 2480	dh lf rf	tb al	1.5
5	Hunter, Torii 1190	rf	det al	1.5
6	Murphy, David 2348	rf	cle al	1.5
7	Ramirez, Alexei 2537	ss	chi al	1.5
8	Abreu, Jose 3308	1b	chi al	1.5
9	Schoop, Jonathan 3307	3b	bal al	1.5
10	Davis, Chris 2478	1b	bal al	1.0
	NL PITCHERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	3.0
2	Hammel, Jason 2235	pi sp	chi nl	3.0
3	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	2.0
4	Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	2.0
5	Gonzalez, Gio 2626	pi sp	dc nl	2.0
6	Santana, Ervin 2005	pi sp	atl nl	2.0
7	Haren, Danny 1787	pi sp	lad nl	2.0
8	Ryu, Hyun-Jin 3139	pi sp	lad nl	2.0
9	Gallardo, Yovani 2333	pi sp	mil nl	2.0
10	Cashner, Andrew 2807	pi sp	sd nl	2.0
	NL BATTERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Braun, Ryan J. 2300	rf	mil nl	3.0
2	Blackmon, Charlie 2891	cf lf	col nl	2.0
3	Freeman, Freddie 2887	1b	atl nl	1.7
4	Tulowitzki, Troy 2308	ss	col nl	1.7
5	Murphy, Daniel 2589	2b	nym nl	1.5
6	Pacheco, Jordan 2961	ca 1b	col nl	1.5
7	LeMahieu, DJ 3091	2b	col nl	1.5
8	Asche, Cody 3268	3b	phi nl	1.5
9	McGehee, Casey 2541	3b 1b	fla nl	1.5
10	Kalish, Ryan 2805	lf	chi nl	1.5

BTP: Box-Toppers points for 2014

Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, ranked third among all players, tops all National League pitchers with 3.0 Box-Toppers points.

And Ryan Braun of the Brewers, fifth place among all players, is the top NL batter with 3.0 Box-Toppers points. (Fernandez ranks higher than Braun on the overall player list because he had more points than Braun in 2013—19.0 vs. 3.5.)

Last season’s overall leader, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, ranks seventh overall with 2.0 Box-Toppers points. In 2013, he had 21.7 points.

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.

What are those numbers after players' names?

Colorado Rockies top Box-Toppers first Team Power Rankings for 2014

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, April 10. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

410	Teams	BTP	BTP/wk
1	Rockies	8.2	6.7
2	Nationals	8.0	5.0
3	Brewers	8.0	7.0
4	Dodgers	8.0	2.0
5	White Sox	7.0	4.5
6	Braves	6.7	4.0
7	Athletics	6.5	4.5
8	Marlins	6.5	3.0
9	Mariners	6.4	2.7
10	Indians	6.2	4.2

The Colorado Rockies are on top of Box-Toppers Team Power Rankings two weeks into the season.

Rockies players have accumulated 8.2 Box-Toppers points, including 6.7 over the past week (from Friday, April 4 through Thursday, April 10).

Though the Rockies are just 5-5 and a game back of the Dodgers and the Giants in the National League West, each of the five Rockies who have earned Player of the Game honors have also earned Box-Toppers bonus points for being top overall player, top NL player or top NL batter of the day.

The Rockies are led so far in the young season by outfielder Charlie Blackmon with 2.0 Box-Toppers points, earned when he was overall Player of the Day April 4.

The Chicago White Sox lead all American League teams with 7.0 Box-Toppers points. The White Sox are in second place in the AL Central, 1.5 games back of the Tigers. They are led so far by pitcher Chris Sale with 3.0 Box-Toppers points.

The Milwaukee Brewers picked up the most Box-Toppers points in the past week with 7.0. The Brewers have 8.0 total points for the season, in third place overall.

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.

Nats' Stephen Strasburg (6.2IP 12K) tops players for Thursday, April 10

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is Thursday’s Player of the Day. Strasburg struck out 12 over 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run and three hits, in the 7-1 win over the Marlins.

Yankees closing pitcher David Phelps is American League Player of the Day. Phelps struck out three over 2 1/3 innings, picking up the save, in the 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

Daniel Murphy of the Mets is National League Batter of the Day. Murphy went 3-4 and drove in three runs in the 6-4 win over the Braves.

Jose Abreu of the White Sox is AL Batter of the Day. Abreu homered twice and drove in three runs in the 7-3 win over the Indians. This was Abreu’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,308th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Notable: Ryan Braun of the Brewers, top player in the 6-2 win over the Phillies, earns Player of the Game honors for the second time in three days and now has 3.0 Box-Toppers points on the season, rising to fifth place among all players.

Strasburg receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Phelps receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Murphy and Abreu each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Thursday’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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

410	Score	Team	PLAYERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	12.2	Nationals	Stephen Strasburg (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.2	3	1	1	1	12
AL	5.1	Yankees	David Phelps (S, 1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.1	0	0	0	0	3
	5.0	Athletics	Dan Straily (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7	3	1	1	2	5
BAT	4.0	Mets	Daniel Murphy 2B	4	2	3	3	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Astros	Dallas Keuchel (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7	5	1	1	2	6
BAT	3.0	White Sox	Jose Abreu 1B	4	2	2	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	DBacks	J.J. Putz (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1	0	0	0	0	2
	2.0	Pirates	Travis Snider PH, RF	2	1	1	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	1.0	Brewers	Ryan Braun RF	3	1	2	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

Braves' Ervin Santana (8IP 0R) is top player for Wednesday, April 9

Braves pitcher Ervin Santana is Wednesday’s Player of the Day. He pitched eight shutout innings, allowing only three hits, in the 4-3 win over the Mets.

Indians pitcher Zach McAllister is American League Player of the Day. McAllister pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings and struck out seven in the 2-0 win over the Padres.

DJ LeMahieu of the Rockies is National League Batter of the Day. LeMahieu went 3-4 and drove in three runs in the 10-4 win over the White Sox.

Jonathan Schoop of the Orioles is AL Batter of the Day. Schoop hit a three-run home run and went 2-4 in the 5-4 win over the Yankees. This was Schoop’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,307th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Santana receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. McAllister receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. LeMahieu and Schoop each receive 1.5 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.

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

409	Score	Team	PLAYER	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	11.0	Braves	Ervin Santana (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	3	0	0	0	6
AL	9.2	Indians	Zach McAllister (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.2	5	0	0	0	7
	9.0	Angels	Garrett Richards (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	1	0	0	3	6
	8.0	`Athletics	Jesse Chavez	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	1	1	0	9
	6.0	Reds	Mike Leake (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	4	0	0	1	3
	6.0	Padres	Robbie Erlin (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	4	1	1	0	6
	5.2	`Red Sox	Jake Peavy	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.2	3	1	1	4	8
	5.0	`Tigers	Drew Smyly (H, 1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		3.0	1	0	0	0	3
	4.1	`Nationals	Craig Stammen	-	-	-	-	-	-		3.1	2	0	0	1	4
BAT	4.0	Rockies	DJ LeMahieu 2B	4	2	3	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Royals	Jeremy Guthrie (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	1	1	1	4
	4.0	DBacks	Josh Collmenter (S, 1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		4.0	3	0	0	1	4
	4.0	Brewers	Tyler Thornburg (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	0	0	0	0	2
BAT	3.0	Orioles	Jonathan Schoop 3B	4	2	2	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Cubs	Jason Hammel (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	3	3	1	6
	3.0	Blue Jays	Brandon Morrow (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	5	3	3	1	9

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

Brewers' Ryan Braun (3 HR 7RBI) tops players for Tuesday, April 8

Ryan Braun of the Brewers is Tuesday’s Player of the Day. Braun hit three home runs, drove in seven runs and went 3-5 in the 10-4 win over the Phillies.

It is the first time Braun has been Player of the Game since his drug suspension last season. He last earned Box-Toppers points May 7, 2013.

David Murphy of the Indians is American League Player of the Day. Murphy hit a three-run homer and an RBI double in the 8-6 win over the Padres.

Braun receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Murphy receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. No pitcher earned bonus points since batters had higher Box-Toppers game scores in both leagues.

All of Tuesday’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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

408	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K			PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	8.0	Brewers	Ryan Braun RF	5	3	3	7	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
AL	6.0	Indians	David Murphy RF	3	3	2	4	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	6.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Bartolo Colon (W, 1-1)	7.0	6	0	0	0	5
	6.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Gio Gonzalez (W, 2-0)	6.0	3	0	0	2	5
	4.0	White Sox	Avisail Garcia RF	5	2	4	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Mariners	Corey Hart DH	4	2	2	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	`Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Dan Haren	6.0	3	1	1	1	4
	4.0	Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Sergio Santos (S, 3)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
	3.0	Orioles	Chris Davis 1B	3	2	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	`Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Archer	7.0	6	0	0	2	4
	2.0	Cardinals	Peter Bourjos CF	4	2	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Rangers	Robinson Chirinos C	4	2	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Giants	Brandon Belt 1B	4	2	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Pirates	Russell Martin C	3	2	2	1	0	1			0	0.0	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.

Angels' C.J. Wilson (8IP 1R 7K) tops players for Monday, April 7

Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson is Thursday’s Player of the Day. Wilson struck out seven over eight innings, allowing just one run, in the 9-1 win over the Astros.

Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies is National League Player of the Day. Tulowitzki went 3-3 with a homer and a double in the 8-1 win over the White Sox.

Brandon Moss of the Athletics is American League Batter of the Day. Moss drove in two runs, scored twice and went 1-4 in the 8-3 win over the Twins.

Wilson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Tulowitzki receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Moss receives 1.5 for AL Batter of the Day.

All of Monday’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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

407	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	8.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			C.J. Wilson (W, 1-1)	8.0	4	1	1	1	7
	4.0	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			John Lackey (W, 2-0)	7.0	5	1	0	2	5
NL	3.0	Rockies	Troy Tulowitzki SS	3	2	3	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jason Vargas (W, 1-0)	8.0	4	1	1	1	2
	2.0	`Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Adam Warren (H, 3)	1.0	0	0	0	1	2
BAT	1.0	Athletics	Brandon Moss 1B	4	2	1	2	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Cardinals	Matt Holliday LF	3	2	1	1	2	0			0	0.0	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.

White Sox' Chris Sale (8IP 0R 6K) tops players for Sunday, April 6

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Sale pitched eight shutout innings and struck out six in the 5-1 win over the Royals.

Sale moves into fourth place among players in Box-Toppers points in the young 2014 season. He has 3.0 points.

Reds pitcher Alfredo Simon is National League Player of the Day. Simon allowed one run over seven innings and struck out six in the 2-1 win over the Mets.

Hanley Ramirez of the Dodgers is NL Batter of the Day. Ramirez homered twice and went 3-4 in the 6-2 win over the Giants.

Chris Colabello of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Colabello drove in four runs and went 2-5 in the 10-7 win over the Indians. Colabello is the first batter to earn Player of the Game honors more than once so far this season. With 3.2 Box-Toppers points, he moves into second place among all players for the season, behind only Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (3.4).

Sale receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Simon receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Kemp and Colabello 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

406	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	White Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Sale (W, 2-0)	8.0	4	0	0	1	6
NL	6.0	Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Alfredo Simon (W, 1-0)	7.0	4	1	1	1	6
	5.1	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Tillman (W, 1-0)	8.1	5	1	1	1	5
	5.0	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yu Darvish (W, 1-0)	7.0	7	0	0	1	6
	5.0	Padres	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ian Kennedy (W, 1-1)	6.0	3	1	1	1	5
	4.1	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tony Watson (W, 1-0)	1.1	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	4.0	Dodgers	Hanley Ramirez SS	4	3	3	2	0	0
	4.0	Cubs	Ryan Kalish LF	3	2	2	3	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.2	Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yovani Gallardo (W, 2-0)	6.2	7	0	0	0	3
BAT	2.0	Twins	Chris Colabello DH	5	1	2	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Astros	Jonathan Villar SS	3	2	1	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Athletics	Jed Lowrie SS	1	1	1	1	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jerry Blevins (W, 1-0)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Yankees	Brett Gardner LF	4	2	1	2	1	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Diamondbacks	Mark Trumbo LF	3	1	1	2	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0