San Francisco Giants stay atop Box-Toppers team rankings, Blue Jays remain top AL team

Shawn Plank June 8, 2014

The San Francisco Giants are on top of Box-Toppers team rankings for the second straight week.

Giants players had accumulated 47.9 Box-Toppers points through Thursday, June 5.

The Giants are led by pitchers Madison Bumgarner (10.5 Box-Toppers points, third place in Box-Toppers player rankings, second place among National League pitchers), Tim Hudson (5.7 points, 14th place among NL pitchers) and Ryan Vogelsong (5.7 points, 15th place among NL pitchers).

Top 10 teams
Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, June 5. 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.





  
    605
    

Teams
    

BTP
    
BTP
/wk
    Last 
wk 
rank
  

    1
    Giants
    47.9
    6.0
    1
  

    2
    Blue Jays
    45.4
    6.0
    2
  

    3
    Athletics
    43.9
    6.0
    3
  

    4
    Marlins
    42.1
    5.2
    5
  

    5
    Brewers
    40.4
    4.7
    7
  

    6
    Angels
    39.3
    2.0
    4
  

    7
    White Sox
    39.0
    4.0
    8
  

    8
    Mariners
    37.3
    5.5
    14
  

    9
    Dodgers
    37.1
    3.2
    10
  

    10
    Cardinals
    36.5
    2.0
    9
  

BTP: Box-Toppers points

The Toronto Blue Jays remain the top American League team in Box-Toppers points and remain in second place among all teams. Blue Jays players have 45.4 Box-Toppers points.

The Blue Jays are led by pitchers Drew Hutchison (6.0 Box-Toppers points, 11th place among AL pitchers) and Mark Buehrle (5.7 points, 12th among AL pitchers).

The Cleveland Indians were the hottest team of the week with 7.7 Box-Toppers points. They rose from 22nd to 13th place in Box-Toppers team rankings with 35.6 Box-Toppers points.

The Seattle Mariners rose into the top 10 this week, picking up 5.5 Box-Toppers points over the past week, giving them 37.3 for the season, in eighth place overall. The Colorado Rockies fell out of the top 10, earning no Box-Toppers points over the week ending Thursday, June 6—with 36.5 points, they fell from sixth to 11th place.

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.

Cards' Shelby Miller pitches shutout, tops players for Saturday, June 7

Shawn Plank June 8, 2014

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller is Saturday’s Player of the Day. Miller pitched a complete game shutout in the 5-0 win over the Blue Jays.

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman is American League Player of the Day. Gausman allowed one run over seven innings in the 6-3 win over the Athletics.

Carlos Santana of the Indians is AL Batter of the Day. Santana hit a two-run homer and went 2-for-2 in the 8-3 win over the Rangers.

Jay Bruce of the Reds is National League Batter of the Day. Bruce hit a two-run homer and drove in three total runs in the 6-5 win over the Phillies.

Miller receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Gausman receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Santana and Bruce 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    607
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    10.0
    Cardinals
    Shelby Miller (W, 7-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    3
    0
    0
    1
    5
  

    
    8.0
    `Padres
    Andrew Cashner
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    0
    0
    1
    5
  

    AL
    6.0
    Orioles
    Kevin Gausman (W, 1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    1
    1
    1
    6
  

    
    6.0
    Twins
    Kyle Gibson (W, 5-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    3
    5
  

    
    5.0
    Cubs
    Jeff Samardzija (W, 2-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    5
    2
    2
    1
    8
  

    BAT
    4.0
    Indians
    Carlos Santana   1B
    2
    2
    2
    2
    2
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    Angels
    Cory Rasmus (W, 1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    3
  

    
    3.0
    Royals
    Salvador Perez   C
    4
    1
    3
    3
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Mariners
    Dustin Ackley   DH
    4
    2
    2
    3
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    3.0
    Reds
    Jay Bruce   RF
    2
    1
    1
    3
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Dbacks
    Randall Delgado (W, 1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    3
  

    
    2.0
    Giants
    Jeremy Affeldt (W, 2-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    1.0
    Tigers
    Nick Castellanos   3B
    4
    1
    3
    1
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    Brewers
    Khris Davis   LF
    4
    2
    2
    1
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    Rockies
    Brandon Barnes   RF
    2
    0
    2
    1
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

Nats' Tanner Roark (8IP 0R 11K) tops players for Friday, June 6

Shawn Plank June 7, 2014

Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark is Friday’s Player of the Day. Roark pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 11 in the 6-0 win over the Padres.

Rays pitcher Erik Bedard is American League Player of the Day. Bedard pitched six scoreless innings and struck out eight in the 4-0 win over the Mariners.

Russell Martin of the Pirates is National League Batter of the Day. Martin went 3-for-3, scored three times and drove in four runs in the 15-5 win over the Brewers.

Michael Choice of the Rangers is AL Batter of the Day. Choice hit the go-ahead home run and went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the 6-4 win over the Indians. This was Choice’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,348th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. Choice made his Major League debut on Sept. 2, 2013, and was playing in his 58th game.

Notable: Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. (See the updated top 10 player list on the home page.) Hammel (7IP 0R 8K ND in the 5-3 win over the Marlins) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 8.7 for the season. He ranks fifth among NL pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

Roark receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Bedard receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Martin and Choice 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    606
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    16.0
    Nationals
    Tanner Roark (W, 4-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    3
    0
    0
    0
    11
  

    AL
    9.0
    Rays
    Erik Bedard (W, 3-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    0
    0
    1
    8
  

    
    8.0
    `Cubs
    Jason Hammel
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    6
    0
    0
    1
    8
  

    
    7.2
    Phillies
    Cole Hamels (W, 2-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.2
    5
    0
    0
    2
    7
  

    BAT
    7.0
    Pirates
    Russell Martin   C
    3
    3
    3
    4
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    Braves
    Jason Heyward   RF
    4
    3
    3
    3
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    Astros
    Dallas Keuchel (W, 7-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    0
    0
    2
    6
  

    
    4.0
    Dodgers
    Dee Gordon   2B
    4
    2
    3
    3
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    Athletics
    Sean Doolittle (S, 8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    BAT
    3.0
    Rangers
    Michael Choice   DH
    3
    2
    2
    2
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    Giants
    Buster Posey   C
    4
    1
    3
    2
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    Tigers
    Torii Hunter   RF
    4
    2
    3
    1
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    Angels
    Kole Calhoun   RF
    4
    1
    2
    3
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    Blue Jays
    Marcus Stroman (W, 3-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    7
    1
    1
    2
    7
  

    
    1.0
    Yankees
    Mark Teixeira   1B
    2
    2
    1
    0
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

Giants' Bumgarner tops players for Thursday, June 5, rises to 3rd in Box-Toppers player rankings; Tanaka solidifies lead among AL pitchers

Shawn Plank June 6, 2014

Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is Thursday’s Player of the Day. Bumgarner gave up one run over eight innings in the 6-1 win over the Reds.

Bumgarner earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 10.5 for the season and moving up to third place in Box-Toppers season player rankings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Bumgarner moves to second place among National League pitchers, behind overall Box-Toppers points leader, Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals (12.0).

Rangers pitcher Robbie Ross Jr. Is American League Player of the Day. Ross struck out two over two scoreless innings of middle relief, earning the win, in the 8-6 win over the Orioles.

Marcell Ozuna of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Ozuna homered, went 3-for-5, scored three times and drove in four runs in the 11-6 win over the Rays.

Robbie Grossman of the Astros is NL Batter of the Day. Grossman went 2-for-2 and drove in the go-ahead run on a squeeze bunt in the 8-5 win over the Angels.

Notables: Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees solidified his lead in Box-Toppers points among AL pitchers after earning Player of the Game honors Thursday. Tanaka (6IP 1R 4K W in the 2-1 win over the Athletics, earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.7 for the season. He remains in second place overall, behind only Wainwright with 12.0 (see the updated top 10 list on the home page) and is the top AL pitcher, ahead of Chris Sale of the White Sox with 8.0.

Cubs pitcher Travis Wood earned Player of the Game honors for batting. He is the fourth pitcher this season to earn Player of the Game for batting. Wood hit a two-run homer and drove in another run on a fielder’s choice in the 7-4 win over the Mets.

Bumgarner receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Ross receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Ozuna and Grossman 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    605
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    8.0
    Giants
    Madison Bumgarner (W, 8-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    3
    1
    1
    0
    5
  

    BAT
    5.0
    Marlins
    Marcell Ozuna   CF
    5
    3
    3
    4
    0
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    Dbacks
    Chris Owings   SS
    5
    2
    3
    4
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    Nationals
    Doug Fister (W, 4-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    2
    2
    0
    5
  

    AL
    4.0
    Rangers
    Robbie Ross Jr. (W, 2-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    BAT
    3.0
    Astros
    Robbie Grossman   LF
    2
    2
    2
    1
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Cubs
    Travis Wood   P
    2
    1
    1
    3
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Royals
    Greg Holland (S, 17)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    2.0
    Yankees
    Masahiro Tanaka (W, 9-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    1
    1
    1
    4
  

    
    2.0
    Brewers
    Francisco Rodriguez (S, 18)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    1.0
    Blue Jays
    Brett Lawrie   2B, 3B
    3
    2
    1
    1
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

Angels' Garrett Richards (8IP 0R 9K) tops players for Wednesday, June 4, Wainwright adds to Box-Toppers points lead

Shawn Plank June 5, 2014

Angels pitcher Garrett Richards is Wednesday’s Player of the Day. Richards pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 4-0 win over the Astros.

Miguel Montero of the Diamondbacks is National League Player of the Day. Montero homered, went 3-for-4 and drove in six runs in the 16-8 win over the Rockies.

Oswaldo Arcia of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Arcia hit a three-run homer and a go-ahead single in the 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Notable: Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright extended his overall Box-Toppers points lead for the season after earning Player of the Game honors Wednesday. Wainwright (8IP 8K ND in the 5-2 win over the Royals) had a no-hitter going through five innings but eventually gave up four hits. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 12.0 for the season. He has led all players in Box-Toppers points since May 25–the current second-place player, Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, has 9.7 Box-Toppers points. (See the updated season top 10 player list on the home page.)

Richards receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Montero receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Arcia receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day.

All of Wednesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    604
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    13.0
    Angels
    Garrett Richards (W, 5-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    4
    0
    0
    0
    9
  

    
    8.0
    Mariners
    Hisashi Iwakuma (W, 4-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    6
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    NL
    6.0
    Dbacks
    Miguel Montero   C
    4
    1
    3
    6
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    6.0
    Indians
    Carlos Carrasco (W, 1-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    4
  

    
    6.0
    `Cardinals
    Adam Wainwright
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    4
    2
    2
    2
    8
  

    
    5.1
    White Sox
    John Danks (W, 4-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.1
    2
    1
    1
    3
    5
  

    
    5.0
    Nationals
    Stephen Strasburg (W, 5-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    7
    4
    2
    0
    11
  

    BAT
    4.0
    Twins
    Oswaldo Arcia   RF
    4
    2
    2
    4
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.1
    Giants
    Ryan Vogelsong (W, 4-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    7
    2
    2
    1
    9
  

    
    3.0
    Blue Jays
    Melky Cabrera   LF
    5
    3
    3
    2
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Padres
    Ian Kennedy (W, 5-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    2
    2
    1
    7
  

    
    2.0
    Athletics
    Yoenis Cespedes   LF
    5
    2
    3
    2
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    Cubs
    Starlin Castro   SS
    4
    0
    3
    3
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    Orioles
    Nick Markakis   RF
    3
    1
    2
    2
    2
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    Marlins
    Donovan Solano   2B
    4
    1
    1
    3
    0
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

Blue Jays' Hutchison, Marlins' Alvarez top players for Tuesday, June 3

Shawn Plank June 4, 2014

Blue Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison is Tuesday’s Player of the Day. Hutchison pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out seven in the 5-3 win over the Tigers. Hutchison did not pick up the win because he left the game with the score tied 0-0.

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez is National League Player of the Day. Alvarez pitched a complete game shutout in the 1-0 win over the Rays.

Brian Dozier of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Dozier homered, went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs in the 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Chris Owings of the Diamondbacks is NL Batter of the Day. Owings homered, tripled and doubled, driving in two runs, in the 4-2 win over the Rockies. This was Owings’ Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,347th player to debut on Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. He made his Major League debut Sept. 3, 2013 and was playing in his 72nd game.

Notable: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rises to ninth place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday (see the updated top 10 player list on the home page). Kazmir (6.1IP 10K ND in the 5-2 win over the Yankees) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 7.7 for the season. He ranks fourth among AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

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

All of Tuesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    603
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    11.0
    `Blue Jays
    Drew Hutchison
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    NL
    6.0
    Marlins
    Henderson Alvarez (W, 3-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    8
    0
    0
    0
    5
  

    
    6.0
    Nationals
    Jordan Zimmermann (W, 4-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    5
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    
    6.0
    Mariners
    Dominic Leone (W, 2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    4
  

    
    5.0
    Astros
    Collin McHugh (W, 4-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    4
  

    
    4.1
    `Athletics
    Scott Kazmir
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    6
    2
    2
    2
    10
  

    BAT
    4.0
    Twins
    Brian Dozier   2B
    3
    2
    3
    2
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.2
    Pirates
    Gerrit Cole (W, 6-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.2
    4
    1
    1
    2
    6
  

    
    3.1
    Indians
    Nick Hagadone (W, 1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    3.0
    Royals
    Greg Holland (S, 16)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    Orioles
    Adam Jones   CF
    5
    2
    4
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    2.0
    Dbacks
    Chris Owings   SS
    4
    1
    3
    2
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    White Sox
    Jose Abreu   1B
    4
    1
    2
    3
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    Reds
    Jay Bruce   RF
    4
    2
    2
    2
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    0.0
    Cubs
    Nate Schierholtz   RF
    4
    0
    3
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

Indians' Masterson, Dodgers' Kershaw top players for Monday, June 2

Shawn Plank June 3, 2014

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson is Monday’s Player of the Day. Masterson pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 in the 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is National League Player of the Day. Kershaw struck out nine over eight innings in the 5-2 win over the White Sox. Kershaw rises to 15th place in Box-Toppers player rankings—he earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 6.7 for the season. He ranks eighth among NL pitchers.

Kyle Seager of the Mariners is American League Batter of the Day. Seager hit a three-run homer, two triples and a double in the 10-2 win over the Yankees.

Jordy Mercer of the Pirates is NL Batter of the Day. Mercer homered, went 4-for-5, scored four times and drove in two runs in the 10-3 win over the Padres.

Masterson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kershaw receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Seager and Mercer 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    602
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    10.0
    Indians
    Justin Masterson (W, 3-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    4
    10
  

    NL
    9.0
    Dodgers
    Clayton Kershaw (W, 4-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    4
    2
    2
    0
    9
  

    
    9.0
    Royals
    Danny Duffy (W, 3-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    1
    0
    0
    1
    5
  

    
    7.0
    Marlins
    Randy Wolf (W, 1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    1
    1
    1
    7
  

    
    6.1
    Brewers
    Matt Garza (W, 3-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    6
    0
    0
    2
    8
  

    BAT
    5.0
    Mariners
    Kyle Seager   3B
    5
    3
    4
    3
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    5.0
    Pirates
    Jordy Mercer   SS
    5
    4
    4
    2
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    Mets
    Wilmer Flores   SS
    5
    1
    2
    6
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

White Sox' Sale, Brewers' Lohse top players for Sunday, June 1

Shawn Plank June 2, 2014

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Sale pitched a complete-game two-hitter, allowing just one run and striking out nine in the 4-1 win over the Padres.

Sale earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 8.0 for the season. He rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers season player rankings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page) and is in second place among American League pitchers, behind Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees (9.7 Box-Toppers points).

Kyle Lohse of the Brewers is National League Player of the Day. Lohse pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing only three hits and striking out six, in the 9-0 win over the Cubs.

Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates is NL Batter of the Day. McCutchen hit a homer and two doubles in the 5-3 win over the Dodgers. This was the first time this season McCutchen has earned Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors. McCutchen had 6.0 Box-Toppers points in 2013, his NL Most Valuable Player season—he ranked 22nd among NL batters in Box-Toppers player rankings. With 1.5 Box-Toppers points this season, he currently ranks 41st among NL batters.

There was no AL Batter of the Day Sunday because no AL batter earned Player of the Game honors. In fact, only one batter—McCutchen—earned Player of the Game honors; the top player in the 14 other games played were pitchers.

Sale receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Lohse receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. McCutchen earns 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    601
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    14.0
    White Sox
    Chris Sale (W, 5-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    2
    1
    1
    0
    9
  

    
    14.0
    Red Sox
    Jon Lester (W, 6-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    0
    0
    1
    12
  

    
    13.0
    Mariners
    Roenis Elias (W, 4-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    3
    0
    0
    1
    8
  

    
    13.0
    Rangers
    Yu Darvish (W, 5-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    5
    0
    0
    2
    12
  

    NL
    12.0
    Brewers
    Kyle Lohse (W, 7-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    3
    0
    0
    0
    6
  

    
    8.0
    Giants
    Tim Hudson (W, 6-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    2
    6
  

    
    5.0
    Twins
    Phil Hughes (W, 6-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    3
    2
    2
    2
    6
  

    
    4.1
    Orioles
    Wei-Yin Chen (W, 6-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.1
    4
    1
    1
    1
    6
  

    
    4.0
    Blue Jays
    Mark Buehrle (W, 10-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    6
    0
    0
    1
    3
  

    
    4.0
    Athletics
    Sean Doolittle (S, 5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    4.0
    Mets
    Josh Edgin (W, 1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    3.2
    `Indians
    Josh Tomlin
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.2
    4
    3
    2
    1
    8
  

    BAT
    3.0
    Pirates
    Andrew McCutchen   CF
    4
    3
    3
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Reds
    Aroldis Chapman (S, 7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.1
    Braves
    Alex Wood (W, 5-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

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

Red Sox' De La Rosa, Cubs' Hammel top players for Saturday, May 31; Yankees' Tanaka rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers points

Shawn Plank June 1, 2014

Red Sox pitcher Rubby De La Rosa is Saturday’s Player of the Day. De La Rosa pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out eight in the 7-1 win over the Rays.

This was De La Rosa’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,342nd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. De La Rosa made his Major League debut May 24, 2011 and was playing in the 26th game of his career and his first of the season.

Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel is National League Player of the Day. Hammel pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out eight in the 8-0 win over the Brewers. Hammel earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 7.7 for the season, moving him up to eighth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings (see the top 10 list on the home page). He ranks fifth in Box-Toppers points among NL pitchers.

De La Rosa and Hammel had virtually identical statistics Saturday and were tied for highest Box-Toppers game score of the day with 11.0. But De La Rosa was given the nod as Player of the Day because he hit no batters and Hammel hit two.

Hanley Ramirez of the Dodgers is NL Batter of the Day. Ramirez hit two home runs, went 4-for-4 and drove in five runs in the 12-2 win over the Pirates.

Yoenis Cespedes of the Athletics is American League Player of the Day. Cespedes hit a three-run homer, a two-run triple and doubled in the 11-3 win over the Angels.

Notables: Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka rose to second place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Saturday. Tanaka (8IP 1R 9K W in the 3-1 win over the Twins) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 9.7 for the season. He remains the top-ranked AL pitcher and trails only Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (11.0 Box-Toppers points).

Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto rises to fifth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Saturday. Cueto (7.1IP 0R 7K W in the 5-0 win over the Diamondbacks) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 8.7 for the season. He rises to third place among NL pitchers.

De La Rosa receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Hammel receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Ramirez and Cespedes 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    531
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    11.0
    Red Sox
    Rubby De La Rosa (W, 1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    0
    0
    0
    8
  

    NL
    11.0
    Cubs
    Jason Hammel (W, 6-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    0
    0
    0
    8
  

    
    10.0
    Yankees
    Masahiro Tanaka (W, 8-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    4
    1
    0
    2
    9
  

    
    10.0
    Cardinals
    Michael Wacha (W, 4-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    BAT
    9.0
    Dodgers
    Hanley Ramirez   SS
    4
    4
    4
    5
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    8.1
    Reds
    Johnny Cueto (W, 5-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.1
    5
    0
    0
    1
    7
  

    
    6.1
    `Mets
    Jacob deGrom
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    3
    3
    3
    2
    11
  

    BAT
    5.0
    Athletics
    Yoenis Cespedes   LF
    5
    2
    3
    5
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    `Indians
    Trevor Bauer
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    2
    2
    1
    8
  

    
    5.0
    Blue Jays
    Marcus Stroman (W, 2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    1
    1
    0
    6
  

    
    4.0
    Orioles
    Nelson Cruz   DH
    2
    1
    2
    3
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Nationals
    Anthony Rendon   3B
    5
    3
    4
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Padres
    Will Venable   RF, CF
    4
    1
    4
    2
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Mariners
    Chris Young (W, 5-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    2
    2
    2
    6
  

    
    2.0
    Braves
    Gerald Laird   C
    4
    3
    2
    1
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

Giants' Bumgarner, Indians' Kluber top players for Friday, May 30; Tigers' Cabrera earns Player of the Game 3rd time in 4 days

Shawn Plank May 31, 2014

Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is Friday’s Player of the Day. Bumgarner pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 in the 9-4 win over the Cardinals.

Bumgarner earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 8.7 for the season and rising to fifth place in Box-Toppers player rankings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He is in third place among National League pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber is American League Player of the Day. Kluber struck out 12 over 7 1/3 innings in the 5-2 win over the Rockies.

Kluber earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 7.4 for the season, rising to 10th place in Box-Toppers player rankings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He ranks third among AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

Josh Donaldson of the Athletics is AL Batter of the Day. Donaldson hit two home runs and went 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in four runs in the 9-5 win over the Angels.

Devin Mesoraco of the Reds is NL Batter of the Day. Mesoraco hit two homers, including a grand slam, in the 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Notables: Braves pitcher Julio Teheran rises to third place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. Teheran (7.1IP 2R 5K W in the 3-2 win over the Marlins) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 8.7 for the season (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He is in second place among NL pitchers.

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers rises to eighth place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. Cabrera (2-3 HR 2R 2RBI in the 6-3 win over the Mariners) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 7.5 for the season (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Cabrera, who has now earned Player of the Game honors three of the past four days, maintains his lead in Box-Toppers points among AL batters. He moves into the top 10 for the first time this season—in 2013, he was the only batter among the top 10 in Box-Toppers points, finishing in eighth place with 16.9.

Bumgarner receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kluber receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Donaldson and Mesoraco 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    530
    Score
    Team
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    13.0
    Giants
    Madison Bumgarner (W, 7-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    1
    10
  

    AL
    9.1
    Indians
    Corey Kluber (W, 6-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.1
    5
    2
    2
    1
    12
  

    
    6.2
    Pirates
    Francisco Liriano (W, 1-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.2
    5
    0
    0
    2
    8
  

    BAT
    6.0
    Athletics
    Josh Donaldson   3B
    4
    3
    3
    4
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    6.0
    Nationals
    Stephen Strasburg (W, 4-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    6
    2
    0
    1
    9
  

    
    6.0
    Padres
    Ian Kennedy (W, 4-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    1
    1
    3
    9
  

    BAT
    5.0
    Reds
    Devin Mesoraco   C
    4
    2
    2
    5
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    Royals
    Lorenzo Cain   CF, RF
    4
    1
    3
    4
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    Brewers
    Rickie Weeks   2B
    4
    3
    3
    2
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.1
    Astros
    Chad Qualls (S, 5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    Tigers
    Miguel Cabrera   1B
    3
    2
    2
    2
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    Phillies
    Justin De Fratus (W, 1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    2
  

    
    2.1
    Braves
    Julio Teheran (W, 5-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.1
    5
    2
    2
    1
    5
  

    
    2.0
    Twins
    Trevor Plouffe   3B
    3
    2
    1
    2
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    `Red Sox
    Koji Uehara
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

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

Cards' Adam Wainwright leads players in Box-Toppers points

Shawn Plank May 30, 2014

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright leads all players in Box-Toppers points.

Wainwright has 11.0 points this season and took the overall lead May 25, passing Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies. Tulowitzki, with 9.1 Box-Toppers points, is in second place overall and still leads all National League batters.

Top players
Through Thursday, May 29





  
    

    OVERALL LEADERS
    POS
    TEAM
    BTP
  

    1
    Wainwright, Adam 2150
    pi sp
    stl nl
    11
  

    2
    Tulowitzki, Troy 2308
    ss
    col nl
    9.1
  

    3
    Tanaka, Masahiro 3305
    pi sp
    nyy al
    8.7
  

    4
    Scherzer, Max 2588
    pi sp
    det al
    7.7
  

    5
    Teheran, Julio 3176
    pi sp
    atl nl
    7.7
  

    6
    Cueto, Johnny 2400
    pi sp
    cin nl
    7.7
  

    7
    Greinke, Zack 1871
    pi sp
    lad nl
    7.4
  

    8
    Hernandez, Felix 2064
    pi sp
    sea al
    7.1
  

    9
    Fernandez, Jose 3147
    pi sp
    fla nl
    7
  

    10
    Kazmir, Scott 1947
    pi sp
    oak al
    6.7
  

    
    
    
    
    
  

    
    AL PITCHERS
    POS
    TEAM
    BTP
  

    1
    Tanaka, Masahiro 3305
    pi sp
    nyy al
    8.7
  

    2
    Scherzer, Max 2588
    pi sp
    det al
    7.7
  

    3
    Hernandez, Felix 2064
    pi sp
    sea al
    7.1
  

    4
    Kazmir, Scott 1947
    pi sp
    oak al
    6.7
  

    5
    Keuchel, Dallas 3050
    pi sp
    hou al
    6.7
  

    6
    Sale, Chris 2806
    pi sp
    chi al
    6
  

    7
    Lackey, John 1640
    pi sp
    bos al
    6
  

    8
    Darvish, Yu 3003
    pi sp
    tex al
    5.7
  

    9
    Kluber, Corey 3200
    pi sp
    cle al
    5.7
  

    10
    Chavez, Jesse 2780
    pi sp
    oak al
    5.7
  

    
    
    
    
    
  

    
    AL BATTERS
    POS
    TEAM
    BTP
  

    1
    Cabrera, Miguel 1776
    1b
    det al
    6.5
  

    2
    Ramirez, Alexei 2537
    ss
    chi al
    5.5
  

    3
    Colabello, Chris 3235
    1b dh rf
    min al
    5.2
  

    4
    Donaldson, Josh 3144
    3b
    oak al
    5
  

    5
    Aybar, Erick 2416
    ss
    ana al
    5
  

    6
    Rodriguez, Sean 2729
    lf 1b 2b dh ph
    tb al
    5
  

    7
    Abreu, Jose 3308
    1b dh
    chi al
    5
  

    8
    Davis, Chris 2478
    1b
    bal al
    4.2
  

    9
    Encarnacion, Edwin 2098
    1b dh
    tor al
    4
  

    10
    Choo, Shin-Soo 2267
    dh lf
    tex al
    4
  

    
    
    
    
    
  

    
    NL PITCHERS
    POS
    TEAM
    BTP
  

    1
    Wainwright, Adam 2150
    pi sp
    stl nl
    11
  

    2
    Teheran, Julio 3176
    pi sp
    atl nl
    7.7
  

    3
    Cueto, Johnny 2400
    pi sp
    cin nl
    7.7
  

    4
    Greinke, Zack 1871
    pi sp
    lad nl
    7.4
  

    5
    Fernandez, Jose 3147
    pi sp
    fla nl
    7
  

    6
    Bumgarner, Madison 2753
    pi sp
    sf nl
    6.5
  

    7
    Santana, Ervin 2005
    pi sp
    atl nl
    6
  

    8
    Hammel, Jason 2235
    pi sp
    chi nl
    6
  

    9
    Colon, Bartolo
    pi sp
    nym nl
    5.7
  

    10
    Kershaw, Clayton 2494
    pi sp
    lad nl
    5
  

    
    
    
    
    
  

    
    NL BATTERS
    POS
    TEAM
    BTP
  

    1
    Tulowitzki, Troy 2308
    ss
    col nl
    9.1
  

    2
    Freeman, Freddie 2887
    1b
    atl nl
    6.2
  

    3
    Morse, Michael 2020
    lf
    sf nl
    5.5
  

    4
    Stanton, Giancarlo 2737
    rf
    fla nl
    4.7
  

    5
    Braun, Ryan J. 2300
    rf
    mil nl
    4.5
  

    6
    Howard, Ryan 2040
    1b
    phi nl
    4.2
  

    7
    Rizzo, Anthony 3063
    1b
    chi nl
    4
  

    8
    Upton, Justin 2411
    lf
    atl nl
    3.7
  

    9
    Rollins, Jimmy 1516
    ss
    phi nl
    3.5
  

    10
    Duda, Lucas 2818
    1b lf
    nym nl
    3.5
  

BTP: Box-Toppers points 

Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has regained the lead among American League pitchers, with 8.7 Box-Toppers points. He is in third place overall and passes last week’s AL pitching leader, Max Scherzer of the Tigers (7.7 Box-Toppers points).

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers has taken the lead among AL batters with 6.5 Box-Toppers points. He passes Chris Colabello of the Twins (5.2 Box-Toppers points), who had led AL batters for the first eight weeks of the season. After a hot start, Colabello went into a slump and was sent to the Twins AAA minor league affiliate. He drops to third place among AL batters.

Cabrera is currently in 12th place among all players in Box-Toppers points. He led AL batters in 2013 with 16.9 Box-Toppers points.

What are those numbers after players' names?

San Francisco Giants back on top of Box-Toppers team rankings

Shawn Plank May 30, 2014

The San Francisco Giants are back on top of Box-Toppers team rankings after a week when they slipped to fourth place.

Top 10 teams
Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, May 29. 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.





529

Teams

BTP
BTP
/wkLast 
wk 
rank
1Giants41.98.24
2Blue Jays39.46.55
3Athletics37.92.01
4Angels37.34.56
5Marlins36.92.02
6Rockies36.52.03
7Brewers35.74.58
8White Sox35.04.09
9Cardinals34.54.510
10Dodgers33.94.011

BTP: Box-Toppers points

Giants players have accumulated 41.9 Box-Toppers points this season, including a National League-high 8.2 points during the past week. They pass last week’s top team, the Oakland Athletics, which fell to third. The Giants were the top team two weeks ago, the week of May 15, before falling to fourth last week.

The Giants also pass last week’s top NL team, the Miami Marlins, which fell to fifth place in Box-Toppers team rankings.

The Giants are led by pitcher Madison Bumgarner (6.5 Box-Toppers points, sixth place among NL pitchers) and left fielder Michael Morse (5.5 Box-Toppers points, third place among NL batters).

The Giants also have baseball’s best winning percentage (.648).

The Toronto Blue Jays are the top American League team with 39.4 Box-Toppers points. They are in second place overall, rising from fifth place a week ago. They pass the Athletics, who held the top spot among AL teams for the past six weeks.

The Blue Jays are led by pitcher Mark Buehrle (4.7 Box-Toppers points, 15th place among AL pitchers) and first baseman and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (4.0 Box-Toppers points, ninth place among AL batters).

The Blue Jays have the third-best winning percentage in the AL (.582). The Detroit Tigers have the best winning percentage in the AL (.600) and rank 13th in Box-Toppers team rankings.

The Houston Astros were the hottest team of the past week, picking up 9.9 Box-Toppers points, giving them 29.8 for the season. The Astros rose from 29th place last week (next-to-last, ahead of only the Chicago Cubs) to 16th place this week (the Cubs still rank last with 23.7 Box-Toppers points). During the team’s six-game winning streak, their Players of the Game have picked up Box-Toppers bonus points five times.

The Los Angeles Dodgers rose into the top 10 this week, rising from 11th to 10th place overall. The Atlanta Braves fell out of the top 10, falling from seventh to 11th place.

D-backs' Josh Collmenter (CG 3H 0R) tops players for Thursday, May 29

Shawn Plank May 30, 2014

Diamondbacks pitcher Josh Collmenter is Thursday’s Player of the Day. Collmenter pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout, facing the minimum 27 batters, in the 4-0 win over the Reds.

Astros pitcher Brad Peacock is American League Player of the Day. Peacock struck out eight over six innings in the 3-1 win over the Orioles. Peacock did not earn the win because he left with the game tied, 1-1.

Erick Aybar of the Angels is AL Batter of the Day. Aybar hit a three-run homer and went 3-for-5 in the 7-5 win over the Mariners.

Michael Morse of the Giants is National League Batter of the Day. Morse homered and hit a two-run, go-ahead double in the 6-5 win over the Giants. Morse earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 5.5 for the season. He is in 24th among all players in Box-Toppers rankings and third place among NL batters.

Notable: Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers rose to 12th place in Box-Toppers player rankings—and maintained his spot as top AL batter—after earning Player of the Game honors Thursday. Cabrera (1-3 2RBI in the 5-4 win over the Athletics) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 6.5 for the season.

Collmenter receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Peacock receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Aybar and Morse 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

529ScoreTeamPlayerABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB11.0DbacksJosh Collmenter (W, 4-2)------9.030005
9.1MetsZack Wheeler (W, 2-5)------6.141109
AL6.0`AstrosBrad Peacock------6.061108
4.0RoyalsWade Davis (W, 4-1)------2.000002
BAT2.0AngelsErick Aybar   SS513300------
BAT2.0GiantsMichael Morse   1B412301------
2.0RangersLeonys Martin   CF332010------
1.0Red SoxBrock Holt   3B413111------
1.0PiratesClint Barmes   SS423000------
1.0TigersMiguel Cabrera   1B311210------

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

Mets' Colon, Mariners' Fernandez top players for Wednesday, May 28

Shawn Plank May 29, 2014

Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon is Wednesday’s Player of the Day. Colon pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 5-0 win over the Pirates.

Colon earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 128.4 for his career, moving him into 24th place on Box-Toppers “all-time” list (record keeping began in 1995). He is just ahead of Vladimir Guerrero (128.3 Box-Toppers points).

Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is American League Player of the Day. Hernandez gave up one run over 8 2/3 innings and struck out nine in the 3-1 win over the Angels.

Hernandez earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 7.1 for the season, moving into eighth place on Box-Toppers season player rankings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He is in third place among AL pitchers.

Hernandez also has 129.6 Box-Toppers points for his career, in 21st place on the “all-time” list (record keeping began in 1995), moving past Trevor Hoffman (129.4) and David Ortiz (128.9).

A.J. Pollock of the Diamondbacks is National League Batter of the Day. Pollock doubled twice, went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs in the 12-6 win over the Padres.

Chris Carter of the Astros is AL Batter of the Day. Carter hit two homers and drove in four runs in the 9-3 win over the Royals.

Notable: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rose to 10th place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Wednesday (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Kazmir (CG 1R 8K W in the 3-1 win over the Tigers) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 6.7 for the season. He is in fourth place among AL pitchers.

Colon receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Hernandez receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Pollock and Carter 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

528ScoreTeamPlayerABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB10.1MetsBartolo Colon (W, 4-5)------7.150019
AL9.2MarinersFelix Hernandez (W, 7-1)------8.241129
9.0AthleticsScott Kazmir (W, 6-2)------9.061108
7.1Red SoxJohn Lackey (W, 6-3)------6.180009
6.0`GiantsTim Lincecum------5.000045
5.1`White SoxHector Noesi------7.151105
BAT4.0DbacksA.J. Pollock   CF433200------
BAT4.0AstrosChris Carter   DH422411------
4.0BrewersKhris Davis   LF322310------
4.0`Blue JaysLiam Hendriks------6.032205
4.0`RangersJoe Saunders------5.050026
3.0YankeesJacoby Ellsbury   CF523300------
3.0PhilliesRyan Howard   1B412411------
3.0RedsHomer Bailey (W, 5-3)------7.052216
2.0MarlinsCasey McGehee   3B524100------

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

Astros' McHugh, Giants' Hudson top players for Tuesday, May 27; Tigers' Cabrera leads AL batters in Box-Toppers points

Shawn Plank May 28, 2014

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh is Tuesday’s Player of the Day. McHugh pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 3-0 win over the Royals.

Giants pitcher Tim Hudson is National League Player of the Day. Hudson pitched seven scoreless innings in the 4-0 win over the Cubs.

Hudson earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 4.7 for the season and 149.0 for his career (1999-present). He moves into 15th place on the all-time list (Box-Toppers record keeping began in 1995), passing Chipper Jones (149.0) and Javier Vazquez (148.3) and just behind Greg Maddux (151.7).

Hudson is in fifth place among active players, behind CC Sabathia (179.3), Manny Ramirez (167.2), Johan Santana (166.6) and Albert Pujols (161.3).

Matt Holliday of the Cardinals is NL Batter of the Day. Holliday homered and went 3-for-3 in the 6-0 win over the Yankees. Holliday beat out teammate and pitcher Lance Lynn, who pitched a complete game shutout, for Player of the Game. Both Holliday and Lynn had Box-Toppers game scores of +3.0, but in case of game score ties, batters beat pitchers, giving Holliday the edge.

Adam Lind of the Blue Jays is American League Batter of the Day. Lind homered, went 3-for-5 and drove in two runs in the 9-6 win over the Rays.

Notables: Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers season player rankings. Greinke (7.2IP 3R 11K W in the 6-3 win over the Reds) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 7.4 for the season. He is in fourth place among NL pitchers in Box-Toppers points. (See the updated top 10 list on the home page.)

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers rises to first place among AL batters in Box-Toppers points. Cabrera (HR 2-4 2R 2RBI in the 6-5 win over the Athletics) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 5.5 for the season. He passes previous AL batting leader Alexei Ramirez of the White Sox—both Ramirez and Cabrera have 5.5 Box-Toppers points but Cabrera has the edge because he has more combined points over 2013-14 (22.4 vs. 6.5). Cabrera now ranks 19th among all players in Box-Toppers points. Cabrera led AL batters in Box-Toppers points in 2013 with 16.9.

McHugh receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Hudson receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Holliday and Lind each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Tuesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

527ScoreTeamPlayerABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB11.0AstrosCollin McHugh (W, 3-3)------7.050009
NL6.0GiantsTim Hudson (W, 5-2)------7.060005
6.0`White SoxChris Sale------3.000014
4.2DodgersZack Greinke (W, 8-1)------7.2833011
BAT3.0CardinalsMatt Holliday   LF323110------
3.0Red SoxKoji Uehara (S, 11)------1.000002
BAT2.0Blue JaysAdam Lind   1B523200------
2.0PadresTommy Medica   1B413201------
2.0TigersMiguel Cabrera   1B422201------
2.0AngelsC.J. Cron   DH422202------
2.0MetsRuben Tejada   SS222020------
1.0TwinsOswaldo Arcia   RF422101------
1.0BrewersMark Reynolds   3B, 1B422110------
1.0RockiesWilin Rosario   C411300------

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

Astros' George Springer (HR 4-4 5R 3RBI) tops players for Monday, May 26

Shawn Plank May 27, 2014

George Springer of the Astros is Monday’s Player of the Day. Springer homered, went 4-for-4, scored five times and drove in three runs in the 9-2 win over the Royals.

Ryan Howard of the Phillies is National League Player of the Day. Howard homered, went 3-for-4, scored twice and drove in five runs in the 9-0 win over the Rockies.

Notable: Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu rose to 23rd place in Box-Toppers player rankings (10th among NL pitchers) after earning Player of the Game honors Monday. Ryu (7.1IP 3H 3R 7K W in the 4-3 win over the Reds) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 5.0 for the season. Ryu was perfect through seven innings before giving up a double in the eighth, a day after teammate Josh Beckett pitched a no-hitter.

Springer receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Howard receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day.

All of Monday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

526ScoreTeamPlayerABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB8.0AstrosGeorge Springer   RF454310------
2AthleticsTommy Milone (W, 3-3)------6.240026
NL6.0PhilliesRyan Howard   1B423500------
1DodgersHyun-Jin Ryu (W, 5-2)------7.133307
1MarinersChris Young (W, 4-2)------6.121135
0Blue JaysMelky Cabrera   LF313310------
0PiratesGaby Sanchez   PH, 1B222200------
0CubsJeff Samardzija (W, 1-4)------7.0643010
1MarlinsNathan Eovaldi (W, 4-2)------6.132215
0White SoxConor Gillaspie   3B424100------
0Red SoxDavid Ortiz   1B311410------
0DdbacksBrad Ziegler (W, 1-1)------2.020003
0OriolesJonathan Schoop   2B523200------
0RangersChris Gimenez   C422201------
0YankeesAlfonso Soriano   PH000100------

Cards' Wainwright beats Beckett's no-hitter to top players for Sunday, May 25, takes the Box-Toppers points lead

Shawn Plank May 26, 2014

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is Sunday’s Player of the Day and rises to first place in Box-Toppers season player rankings.

Wainwright won Player of the Day honors over Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett who pitched a no-hitter (CG 0R 0H 3BB 6K) against the Phillies.

In addition Sunday, Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka rose to first place among American League pitchers in Box-Toppers points. And five of Sunday’s Players of the Game are in the top 10 of Box-Toppers season player rankings.

Wainwright pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 12 in the 4-0 win over the Reds. Wainwright earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Game, giving him 11.0 for the season—he is the first player to 10.0 Box-Toppers points in 2014. He passes Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies (9.1 Box-Toppers points) to take the overall Box-Toppers points lead. (See the updated top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings on the home page.)

Tulowitzki had led all players since May 2. Wainwright had 20.2 Box-Toppers points in 2013, in second place overall, behind Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (21.7).

Wainwright had a Box-Toppers game score of +14.0, beating out Beckett, who despite the no-hitter, had the second-highest Box-Toppers game score of the day, +12.0—still earning Player of the Game honors and picking up 1.0 Box-Toppers point. (See the chart below.)

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel is American League Player of the Day. Keuchel pitched a complete game, allowing one unearned run, in the 4-1 win over the Mariners. He earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 6.7 for the season. He is in eighth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings, third among AL pitchers. (See the updated top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings on the home page.)

Sean Rodriguez of the Rays is AL Batter of the Day. Rodriguez hit a pinch-hit, three-run home run in the 8-5 win over the Red Sox. Rodriguez earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 5.0 for the season and is now in fourth place among AL batters.

There is no National League Batter of the Day for Sunday because no NL batters earned Player of the Game honors.

Notables: In addition to Wainwright and Keuchel, three of Sunday’s other Players of the Game rank in Box-Toppers top 10 player rankings for the season:

• Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (6.2 IP 6K W in the 7-1 win over the White Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 8.7 for the season, third among all players and first among AL pitchers. He passes previous AL pitching leader, Max Scherzer of the Tigers (7.7 Box-Toppers points).

• Braves pitcher Julio Teheran (6IP 0R 7K W in the 7-0 win over the Rockies) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 7.7 for the season and is in fifth place overall, second among NL pitchers.

• Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (7IP 1R 10K W in the 8-1 win over the Twins) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 6.5 for the season and is in ninth place overall, fifth among NL pitchers.

Wainwright receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Keuchel receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Rodriguez receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day.

All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

525ScoreTeamPlayerABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB14.0CardinalsAdam Wainwright (W, 8-2)------8.0500112
0DodgersJosh Beckett (W, 3-1)------9.000036
0GiantsMadison Bumgarner (W, 6-3)------7.0311010
AL10.0AstrosDallas Keuchel (W, 6-2)------9.041006
0BravesJulio Teheran (W, 4-3)------6.040017
0Blue JaysJ.A. Happ (W, 4-1)------7.040037
0PadresIan Kennedy (W, 3-6)------6.021126
BAT4.0RaysSean Rodriguez   PH, DH111300------
0MetsDaisuke Matsuzaka (W, 2-0)------6.032216
2YankeesMasahiro Tanaka (W, 7-1)------6.251126
2BrewersJimmy Nelson (W, 1-0)------5.250036
0RangersMitch Moreland   1B513310------
0OriolesZach Britton (S, 2)------1.000001
1NationalsDoug Fister (W, 2-1)------5.161104
1`DbacksOliver Perez------1.110012
0AngelsChris Iannetta   C422102------

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

Giants' Ryan Vogelsong (6.2IP 7K) tops players for Saturday, May 24

Shawn Plank May 25, 2014

Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong is Saturday’s Player of the Day. Vogelsong pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out seven in the 2-1 win over the Twins.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber is American League Player of the Day. Kluber pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 9-0 win over the Orioles. Kluber earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 5.7 for the season. He is now 14th among all players in Box-Toppers player rankings and fifth among AL pitchers.

Rougned Odor of the Rangers is AL Batter of the Day. Odor tripled, went 4-for-5 and drove in five runs in the 12-2 win over the Tigers. This was Odor’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,336th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. Odor made his Major League debut May 14 and was playing in his 12th big league game.

Odor also has our current favorite baseball name, pronounced “ROOG-ned oh-DORE,” according to Baseball-Reference.com. The Venezuelan-born player passes previous favorite name, Joey Terdoslavich of the Braves. (Terdoslavich is current on the Braves’ Triple-A minor league team. He played in Atlanta last season, but has yet to make his Box-Toppers debut.)

Ben Revere of the Phillies is National League Batter of the Day. Revere went 4-for-4 with a double and scored three runs in the 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

Vogelsong receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kluber receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Odor and Revere 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

524ScoreTeamPlayerABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB9.2GiantsRyan Vogelsong (W, 3-2)------6.230017
AL9.0IndiansCorey Kluber (W, 5-3)------7.050029
BAT5.0RangersRougned Odor   2B514500------
5.0RockiesJuan Nicasio (W, 5-2)------6.020045
4.0AstrosGeorge Springer   RF522500------
BAT4.0PhilliesBen Revere   CF434100------
4.0`RoyalsWade Davis------2.000002
3.1MarlinsSteve Cishek (S, 10)------1.110003
3.0RaysCesar Ramos (W, 2-3)------3.010023
3.0YankeesDavid Robertson (S, 10)------1.010003
2.2CardinalsJaime Garcia (W, 1-0)------5.262207
2.1Blue JaysR.A. Dickey (W, 5-4)------8.152214
2.0CubsLuis Valbuena   3B221120------
2.0PiratesMark Melancon (S, 9)------1.000001
1.0DbacksMartin Prado   3B302201------

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

Dodgers' Kershaw tops players for Friday, May 23; White Sox' Ramirez takes AL batting lead in Box-Toppers points

Shawn Plank May 24, 2014

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is Friday’s Player of the Day. Kershaw pitched six scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 2-0 win over the Phillies.

Kershaw, the 2013 overall Box-Toppers points leader with 21.7, earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 5.0 for the season. He is currently in 19th place in Box-Toppers player rankings and ninth among National League pitchers.

Rays pitcher Chris Archer is American League Player of the Day. Archer pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 11 in the 1-0 win over the Red Sox. Archer did not pick up the win because he left the game with the score tied 0-0.

Chris Davis of the Orioles is AL Batter of the Day. Davis hit a two-run homer and a two-run double in the 8-4 win over the Indians.

Carlos Gomez of the Brewers is NL Batter of the Day. Gomez went 4-for-5, scored twice and drove in two runs in the 9-5 win over the Marlins.

Notable: Alexei Ramirez rises to first place among AL batters in Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. Ramirez (3-for-4, HR in 6-5 win over the Yankees) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 5.5 for the season. He moves into 16th place among all players in Box-Toppers player rankings and first place among AL batters. He passes previous leader Chris Colabello of the Twins (5.2 Box-Toppers points).

Kershaw receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Archer receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Davis and Gomez 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

523ScoreTeamPlayerABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB10.0DodgersClayton Kershaw (W, 3-1)------6.020039
9.0MarinersFelix Hernandez (W, 6-1)------8.051119
AL9.0`RaysChris Archer------6.0400411
7.0PadresTim Stauffer (W, 2-0)------5.020015
BAT5.0OriolesChris Davis   1B322411------
4.0BravesCraig Kimbrel (S, 13)------1.000003
BAT3.0BrewersCarlos Gomez   CF524200------
3.0TigersIan Kinsler   2B433100------
2.2GiantsJean Machi (S, 2)------1.200001
2.0White SoxAlexei Ramirez   SS413200------
2.0RedsTodd Frazier   3B412301------
2.0AngelsErick Aybar   SS322110------
1.0Blue JaysSteve Tolleson   2B311200------
1.0PiratesJason Grilli (S, 5)------1.000011

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

Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki tops Box-Toppers player rankings, Cards' Wainwright close behind

Shawn Plank May 23, 2014

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is still atop Box-Toppers player rankings three weeks in a row, though other players are gaining on him.

Tulowitzki, with 9.1 Box-Toppers points, has held the overall lead since May 2.

Top players
Through Thursday, May 22




OVERALL LEADERSPOSTEAMBTP
1Tulowitzki, Troy 2308sscol nl9.1
2Wainwright, Adam 2150pi spstl nl9.0
3Scherzer, Max 2588pi spdet al7.7
4Cueto, Johnny 2400pi spcin nl7.7
5Tanaka, Masahiro 3305pi spnyy al7.7
6Fernandez, Jose 3147pi spfla nl7.0
7Teheran, Julio 3176pi spatl nl6.7
8Greinke, Zack 1871pi splad nl6.4
9Freeman, Freddie 28871batl nl6.2
10Santana, Ervin 2005pi spatl nl6.0
AL PITCHERSPOSTEAMBTP
1Scherzer, Max 2588pi spdet al7.7
2Tanaka, Masahiro 3305pi spnyy al7.7
3Darvish, Yu 3003pi sptex al5.7
4Kazmir, Scott 1947pi spoak al5.7
5Chavez, Jesse 2780pi spoak al5.7
6Sale, Chris 2806pi spchi al5.0
7Price, David 2593pi sptb al5.0
8Lackey, John 1640pi spbos al5.0
9Perez, Martin 3213pi sptex al5.0
10Keuchel, Dallas 3050pi sphou al5.0
AL BATTERSPOSTEAMBTP
1Colabello, Chris 32351b dh rfmin al5.2
2Donaldson, Josh 31443boak al5
3Abreu, Jose 33081b dhchi al5
4Cabrera, Miguel 17761bdet al4.5
5Ramirez, Alexei 2537sschi al4.5
6Encarnacion, Edwin 20981b dhtor al4
7Choo, Shin-Soo 2267dh lftex al4
8Hunter, Torii 1190rfdet al3.5
9Rodriguez, Sean 2729lf 1b 2b phtb al3.5
10Rasmus, Colby 2608cftor al3.2
NL PITCHERSPOSTEAMBTP
1Wainwright, Adam 2150pi spstl nl9.0
2Cueto, Johnny 2400pi spcin nl7.7
3Fernandez, Jose 3147pi spfla nl7.0
4Teheran, Julio 3176pi spatl nl6.7
5Greinke, Zack 1871pi splad nl6.4
6Santana, Ervin 2005pi spatl nl6.0
7Hammel, Jason 2235pi spchi nl6.0
8Bumgarner, Madison 2753pi spsf nl5.5
9Strasburg, Stephen 2736pi spdc nl5.0
10Alvarez, Henderson 2951pi spfla nl5.0
NL BATTERSPOSTEAMBTP
1Tulowitzki, Troy 2308sscol nl9.1
2Freeman, Freddie 28871batl nl6.2
3Stanton, Giancarlo 2737rffla nl4.7
4Braun, Ryan J. 2300rfmil nl4.5
5Rizzo, Anthony 30631bchi nl4.0
6Morse, Michael 2020lfsf nl4.0
7Upton, Justin 2411lfatl nl3.7
8Rollins, Jimmy 1516ssphi nl3.5
9Duda, Lucas 28181b lfnym nl3.5
10Murphy, Daniel 25892bnym nl3.0

BTP: Box-Toppers points 

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright has risen to second place in Box-Toppers player rankings with 9.0 Box-Toppers points and now leads all National League pitchers. He passes last week’s leader, Johnny Cueto of the Reds (7.7).

Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer regains the lead among American League pitchers, with 7.7 Box-Toppers points. He is in third place overall and passes last week’s AL pitching leader, Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees.

(Scherzer, Cueto and Tanaka all have 7.7 Box-Toppers points, but their tie is broken based on their total Box-Toppers points over 2013 and 2014—Scherzer has 25.8, Cueto has 11.7 and Tanaka has 7.7.)

Chris Colabello of the Twins remains the leader among AL batters with 5.2 Box-Toppers points. However, Colabello fell from 14th to 16th among all players.

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Box-Toppers

Tracking who most helps their teams win the most games, based on box score stats. A method to measure & compare baseball's top players.