Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, who flirted with a no-hitter and led Detroit to win the American League Division Series over the Athletics, is Thursday's Player of the Day.
Verlander gave up only two hits, no runs and struck out 10 over eight innings in the 3-0 win over the Athletics. He did not give up his first hit until two out in the seventh inning.
The Tigers won the series over the Athletics three games to two to move onto the best-of-seven American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, beginning Saturday in Boston. The Tigers are the top-ranked team in Box-Toppers points with 123.4. The Athletics rank eighth with 115.3.
Verlander had 10.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 53rd overall. In 2012, he led all players in Box-Toppers points with 24.8.
The four remaining teams in the playoffs are also the four top teams in Box-Toppers Team Power Rankings:
- Tigers, 123.4 Box-Toppers points
- Dodgers, 122.7 Box-Toppers points
- Cardinals, 122.4 Box-Toppers points
- Red Sox, 121.7 Box-Toppers points
The Cardinals will face the Dodgers beginning Friday in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series.
Coming Friday: Check back Friday for a Box-Toppers preview of the NLCS. Find out how the starters from each team stack up against each other in Box-Toppers points. Who's the best left fielder? Carlos Beltran or Yasiel Puig? Which team has the best pitchers in terms of Box-Toppers points?
In
regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of
the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top
batter in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games. However, no Box-Toppers points are awarded during
the postseason.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1010 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 15.0 | Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Justin Verlander (W, 1-0) | 8.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 |