Wainwright tops players for Saturday, May 11; Darvish takes season lead in Box-Toppers points

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

On Saturday, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright was Player of the Day and Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish took the season lead in Box-Toppers points.

Wainwright threw a two-hit shutout in the 3-0 win over the Rockies, giving up his first hit in the eighth inning.​ Wainwright earns 2.0 Box-Toppers for being Player of the Day and now has 6.0 for the season, moving him up to sixth place.

Ubaldo Jimenez of the Indians is American League Player of the Day. Jimenez struck out eight over six innings in the 7-6 win over Detroit.​

Jose Tabata of the Pirates is National League Batter of the Day. Tabata went 4-for-5 and was a triple short of the cycle in the 11-2 win over the Mets.​

Joe Mauer of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Mauer went 3-for-4 in the 8-5 win over the Orioles.​

Darvish was Player of the Game in the Rangers' 8-7 win over the Astros. Darvish gave up three hits and struck out eight over seven innings. He earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being top player in the game, giving him 8.0 points for the season, taking the lead from Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, who has 7.2 points.​

Also Saturday, two pitchers were named Players of the Game for batting. Mat Latos of the Reds went 2-for-3 in the 13-7 win over the Brewers. And Edwin Jackson of the Cubs with 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs in the 8-2 win over the Nationals.​

Wainwright receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Jimenez receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Tabata and Mauer receive 1.5 each 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:

511ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB13.0Cardinals 0000000  Adam Wainwright (W, 5-2)9.020017
 10.0Giants 0000000  Madison Bumgarner (W, 4-1)7.0411211
AL8.0Indians 0000000  Ubaldo Jimenez (W, 3-2)6.031118
 5.1Rays 0000000  Cesar Ramos (W, 1-0)2.000003
BAT5.0Pirates Jose Tabata RF, LF534300  00.000000
 4.0Yankees 0000000  Andy Pettitte (W, 4-2)7.052217
 3.0Dodgers Andre Ethier RF434000  00.000000
BAT3.0Twins Joe Mauer C433111  00.000000
 3.0Reds Mat Latos P322201  00.000000
 3.0Rangers 0000000  Yu Darvish (W, 6-1)7.033338
 3.0`Blue Jays 0000000  Mark Buehrle 7.051125
 2.2Phillies 0000000  Jonathan Papelbon (S, 6)1.020003
 2.0Cubs Edwin Jackson P211201  00.000000
 1.0Angels Mike Trout CF412201  00.000000
 1.0Athletics 0000000  Grant Balfour (S, 6)1.010012

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

Miller, Lester, both with 1-hit shutouts, top players for Friday, May 10

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

A pair of pitchers threw complete game, one-hit shutouts to top all players for Friday.

Shelby Miller of the Cardinals is Friday's Player of the Day. Miller who gave up his only hit in the first inning (the only baserunner of the game) and struck out 13, led the Cards to a 3-0 win over the Rockies.​

Jon Lester of the Red Sox is American League Player of the Day. Lester also allowed only one baserunner, giving up a hit in the sixth inning, in the 5-0 win over the Blue Jays.​

Lyle Overbay of the Yankees is AL Batter of the Day. Overbay hit a two-run homer, went 4-for-5 and drove in five runs in the 11-6 win over the Royals.​

Ian Desmond of the Nationals is National League Batter of the Day. Desmond homered, went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs in the 7-3 win over the Cubs.​

Standings update: Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma moves up to ninth place among players in the 2013 season. Iwakuma was Player of the Game in the 6-3 win over the Athletics earning 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 5.7 for the season. Miller, who earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, moves up to 10th place with 5.7 points for the season.

Miller receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Lester receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Overbay and Desmond receive 1.5 each 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:

510ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB21.0Cardinals 0000000  Shelby Miller (W, 5-2)9.0100013
AL13.0Red Sox 0000000  Jon Lester (W, 5-0)9.010005
 8.0Mariners 0000000  Hisashi Iwakuma (W, 4-1)7.042209
BAT6.0Yankees Lyle Overbay 1B524500  00.000000
 6.0Giants 0000000  Matt Cain (W, 2-2)8.032227
 5.1Orioles 0000000  Tommy Hunter (W, 3-1)2.100003
BAT5.0Nationals Ian Desmond SS433300  00.000000
 5.0`Angels 0000000  Dane De La Rosa (H, 4)2.000003
 4.2`Rays 0000000  Alex Cobb 4.2533213
 3.0Pirates Garrett Jones 1B523300  00.000000
 3.0Marlins 0000000  Steve Cishek (S, 5)1.000002
 2.1Rangers 0000000  Robbie Ross (W, 1-0)1.100001
 2.0Reds Brandon Phillips 2B422212  00.000000
 2.0Tigers Alex Avila C412302  00.000000
 1.2Diamondbacks 0000000  Tony Sipp (W, 2-1)0.200001

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

Miguel Cabrera leads all players in season Box-Toppers points

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers leads all players in Box-Toppers points so far in the 2013 season.

The Detroit third baseman has 7.2 points.​ He is the only non-pitcher among the top 10 overall players.

​Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz ranks second with 7.1 points.

Pitcher Matt Harvey of the Mets leads among all National League players with 7.0 points.

Bryce Harper of the Nationals leads among NL batters with 4.9 points.

Individual player standings for the 2013 season were last posted on Box-Toppers on April 26, when Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish led all players with 5.0 points. Darvish, who now has 7.0 points, has slipped to third place overall.

What are those numbers after players' names?

Box-Toppers player rankings graphic.png
2013 LEADERS   
 OVERALL LEADERSPOSTEAMBTP
1Cabrera, Miguel 17763bdet al7.2
2Buchholz, Clay 2363pi spbos al7.1
3Darvish, Yu 3003pi sptex al7
4Harvey, Matt 3075pi spnym nl7
5Moore, Matt 2975pi sptb al6.7
6Hernandez, Felix 2064pi spsea al5.7
7Lynn, Lance 2992pi spstl nl5.7
8Masterson, Justin 2462pi spcle al5.7
9Corbin, Patrick 3027pi spari nl5.4
10Verlander, Justin 2112pi spdet al5
     
 AL PITCHERS   
1Buchholz, Clay 2363pi spbos al7.1
2Darvish, Yu 3003pi sptex al7
3Moore, Matt 2975pi sptb al6.7
4Hernandez, Felix 2064pi spsea al5.7
5Masterson, Justin 2462pi spcle al5.7
6Verlander, Justin 2112pi spdet al5
7Sale, Chris 2806pi spchi al4.7
8Iwakuma, Hisashi 3048pi spsea al4.7
9Peavy, Jake 1635pi spchi al4
10Holland, Derek 2634pi sptex al4
     
 AL BATTERS   
1Cabrera, Miguel 17763bdet al7.2
2Raburn, Ryan 2340rfcle al3.5
3Hafner, Travis 1650dh phnyy al3.5
4Moss, Brandon 25201boak al3
5Wieters, Matt 2643cabal al3
6Napoli, Mike 21611b cabos al2.5
7Kendrick, Howie 21912bana al2.5
8Lowrie, Jed 2437ssoak al2.5
9Loney, James 22061btb al2.5
10DeRosa, Mark 15051b 3b phtor al2.5
     
 NL PITCHERS   
1Harvey, Matt 3075pi spnym nl7
2Lynn, Lance 2992pi spstl nl5.7
3Corbin, Patrick 3027pi spari nl5.4
4Kershaw, Clayton 2494pi splad nl5
5Zimmermann, Jordan 2612pi spdc nl4.7
6Maholm, Paul 2078pi spatl nl4.7
7Slowey, Kevin 2377pi spfla nl4.7
8Gonzalez, Gio 2626pi spdc nl4
9Wainwright, Adam 2150pi spstl nl4
10Bumgarner, Madison 2753pi spsf nl3.7
     
 NL BATTERS   
1Harper, Bryce 3011lfdc nl4.9
2Gonzalez, Carlos 2460lfcol nl4
3Zimmerman, Ryan 21803bdc nl3.7
4Braun, Ryan J. 2300lfmil nl3.5
5Goldschmidt, Paul 29351bari nl3.5
6Frazier, Todd 29293bcin nl3.5
7Pollock, A.J. 3142cfari nl3.2
8Holliday, Matt 1836lfstl nl3
9Posey, Buster 2745casf nl3
10Bruce, Jay 2453rfcin nl3

BTP: Box-Toppers points

St. Louis Cardinals take top spot in Box-Toppers team power rankings

The St. Louis Cardinals take the top spot in this week's Box-Toppers team power rankings after being ranked second last week.

Cardinals players have accumulated the most Box-Toppers points for the season (28.4), followed by the Texas Rangers (27.4). The Rangers were  ranked third last week.

The Cardinals also have the best win-loss record in baseball at 21-12. The Rangers have the best record in the American League at 21-13.

The Boston Red Sox, last week's top team, fell to third place in Box-Toppers team rankings, accumulating the fewest Box-Toppers points of any AL team in the past week, 1.5.

The Cardinals are led by pitchers Lance Lynn, who has 5.7 Box-Toppers points and Adam Wainwright, with 4.0. The Rangers are led by pitchers Yu Darvish (7.0) and Derek Holland (4.0).

The hottest team in the past week has been the Cleveland Indians, accumulating 7.5 Box-Toppers points and rising to ninth place in team power rankings. The hottest National League team of the past week is the Arizona Diamondbacks, picking up 6.7 points and rising to eighth in power rankings.

The coldest team in the past week has been the Los Angeles Dodgers, accumulating no Box-Toppers points. The Dodgers, the Box-Toppers pre-season favorite to win the World Series, ranks 24th out of 30 teams in Box-Toppers power rankings, with 16.5 points. The Box-Toppers pre-season AL favorite team, ​the Toronto Blue Jays, ranks 27th with 15.2 points.

Oops.​

Box-Toppers team power rankings graphic.png
509Top 10 TeamsPtsLast week rank
1Cardinals28.42
2Rangers27.43
3Red Sox26.11
4Nationals26.04
5Tigers25.45
6Braves24.48
7Orioles23.57
8Diamondbacks23.1Not ranked
9Indians22.7Not ranked
10Reds22.710

Scott Kazmir, striking out 10, tops players for Thursday, May 9

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir, who struck out 10 over six innings, is Thursday's Player of the Day. Kazmir allowed only one run in the 9-2 win over the Athletics.​

Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin is National League Player of the Day. Corbin gave up just one run over 6 1/3 innings in the 2-1 win over the Phillies. As NL Player of the Day, Corbin picks up 1.7 Box-Toppers points, giving him 5.4 for the season, moving him up to ninth place among all players in 2013.​

​Brian McCann of the Braves is NL Batter of the Day. McCann homered and went 3-for-5 in the 6-3 win over the Giants.

Oswaldo Arcia of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Arcia hit a two-run homer and a triple in the 5-3 win over the Red Sox. Arcia and Alex Gordon, who was Player of the Game in the Royals 6-2 win over the Orioles, had identical Box-Toppers game scores of 2.0 and identical stat lines (4AB 2R 2H 2BI). Arcia was given the AL ​Batter of the Day nod because he had a homer and triple, while Gordon had a homer and a single.

Kazmir receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Corbin receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. McCann and Arcia receive 1.5 each 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:

509ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB9.0Indians 0000000  Scott Kazmir (W, 2-1)6.0511010
 4.2Angels 0000000  Ernesto Frieri (S, 5)1.200003
NL2.1Diamondbacks 0000000  Patrick Corbin (W, 5-0)6.141124
BAT2.0Braves Brian McCann C513301  00.000000
BAT2.0Twins Oswaldo Arcia RF422200  00.000000
 2.0Royals Alex Gordon LF422201  00.000000
 2.0`Rays 0000000  David Price 8.074218
 2.0`Yankees 0000000  CC Sabathia 4.011112
 1.0Nationals Ryan Zimmerman 3B413100  00.000000
 1.0Mets Mike Baxter PH101100  00.000000

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

Jake Peavy, Jason Marquis top players for Wednesday, May 8

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Peavy gave up three hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings in the 6-3 win over the Mets.

Jason Marquis of the Padres is National League Player of the Day. Marquis pitched eight shutout innings in the 1-0 win over the Marlins.​

Kelly Johnson of the Rays is American League Batter of the Day. Johnson hit a two-run homer and went 3-for-4 in the 10-4 win over the Blue Jays.​

Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks is National League Batter of the Day. Goldschmidt hit two homers and drove in three runs in the 3-2 win over the Dodgers.​

Note: Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez and Indians pitcher Justin Masterson were both named Players of the Game in their team's victories Wednesday and earned 1.0 Box-Toppers points. Both players now have 5.7 Box-Toppers points for the season. Hernandez now ranks sixth among all players for 2013 and Masterson ranks eighth.​

Peavy receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Marquis receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Johnson and Goldschmidt receive 1.5 each for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

508ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB5.2White Sox 0000000  Jake Peavy (W, 4-1)6.231126
NL5.0Padres 0000000  Jason Marquis (W, 4-2)8.050013
 5.0Braves 0000000  Mike Minor (W, 4-2)7.041137
BAT4.0Rays Kelly Johnson LF433210  00.000000
 4.0Mariners 0000000  Felix Hernandez (W, 5-2)8.061115
 4.0`Giants 0000000  Barry Zito 7.041103
 3.0Twins Trevor Plouffe 3B523301  00.000000
 3.0Yankees Vernon Wells LF, 3B423200  00.000000
BAT3.0Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt 1B422300  00.000000
 3.0Nationals 0000000  Jordan Zimmermann (W, 6-1)7.071127
 2.0Orioles J.J. Hardy SS211210  00.000000
 2.0Indians0000000  Justin Masterson (W, 5-2)7.043327
 2.0Astros 0000000  Jose Veras (S, 4)1.000001
 2.0Cardinals 0000000  Edward Mujica (S, 9)1.000001
 1.0Rangers Ian Kinsler 2B523100  00.000000

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

Mets' Matt Harvey, nearly perfect (but no W), is top player for Tuesday, May 7

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

Mets pitcher Matt Harvey nearly pitched a perfect game and left after nine innings without the lead, but is still Tuesday's Player of the Day.

Harvey gave up his first and only hit in the seventh inning, walked none and struck out 12 over nine innings against the White Sox. But it took the Mets until the bottom of the tenth to score their first run to beat the Sox, 1-0.

Though Harvey had a dominant Box-Toppers game score of 20, he did not earn the win in the game. Harvey scores 2.0 Box-Toppers points for winning Player of the Day and now has 7.0 for the season, ranking fourth among players in 2013, behind current leader Miguel Cabrera of Detroit, with 7.2.​

Twins pitcher Scott Diamond is American League Player of the Day. Diamond pitched seven shutout innings and gave up only three hits in the 6-1 win over the Red Sox.​

Jose Altuve of the Astros is AL Batter of the Day. Altuve homered and went 2-for-3 in the 7-6 win over the Angels.​

Will Venable of the Padres is National League Batter of the Day. Venable hit a two-run homer and went 2-for-4 in the 5-1 win over the Marlins.​

Harvey receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Diamond receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Altuve and Venable receive 1.5 each 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:

507ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB20.0`Mets 0000000  Matt Harvey 9.0100012
AL6.0Twins 0000000  Scott Diamond (W, 3-2)7.030002
 6.0Pirates 0000000  Jeanmar Gomez (W, 2-0)5.020025
 5.2Indians 0000000  Zach McAllister (W, 3-3)7.250014
 5.2Cubs 0000000  Travis Wood (W, 3-2)6.251128
 4.0Rockies 0000000  Jorge De La Rosa (W, 3-3)6.030012
BAT3.0Astros Jose Altuve 2B322210  00.000000
 3.0Phillies 0000000  Kyle Kendrick (W, 4-1)7.062206
 2.1`Blue Jays 0000000  Aaron Loup 2.110001
 2.1Orioles 0000000  Tommy Hunter (W, 2-1)1.100001
BAT2.0Padres Will Venable RF412301  00.000000
 2.0Reds Devin Mesoraco PH111100  00.000000
 2.0Diamondbacks 0000000  Heath Bell (S, 2)1.000001
 1.0Brewers Ryan Braun LF211120  00.000000

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

Scott Feldman (7IP 2H) tops players for Monday, May 6

Screen Shot 2013-05-07 at 10.32.05 AM.png

Cubs pitcher Scott Feldman is Monday's Player of the Day. Feldman pitched seven shutout innings and gave up only two hits in the 9-2 win over the Rangers.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is American League Player of the Day. Sale gave up only one run over 7 1/3 innings against the Royals. He left the game with the Sox trailing 1-0 and so was not eligible for the win. However, the White Sox came back to tie the game in the top of the ninth and won the game 2-1 in the 11th inning.​

Andrelton Simmons of the Braves is National League Batter of the Day. Simmons hit two home runs and went 3-for-4 in the 7-4 win over the Reds. It is Simmons' Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has been Player of the ​Game, and he is the 3,165th player to debut in Box-Toppers since 1995.

Stephen Drew of the Red Sox is American League Batter of the Day. Drew went 4-for-5, homered, and hit a walk-off RBI double in the 11th inning to beat the Twins 6-5.​

Feldman receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Sale receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Simmons and Drew receive 1.5 each 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:

506ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB7.0Cubs 0000000  Scott Feldman (W, 3-3)7.020013
BAT5.0Braves Andrelton Simmons SS423401  00.000000
 5.0Phillies 0000000  Cliff Lee (W, 3-2)8.052206
AL4.1`White Sox 0000000  Chris Sale 7.161105
 4.1Padres 0000000  Andrew Cashner (W, 2-2)7.140034
BAT3.0Red Sox Stephen Drew SS514301  00.000000
 3.0Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt 1B514301  00.000000
 3.0Indians Asdrubal Cabrera SS432212  00.000000
 3.0Blue Jays J.P. Arencibia PH, C322200  00.000000

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

Justin Verlander flirts with no-no, is top player for Sunday, May 5

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, who flirted with another no-hitter, is Sunday's Player of the Day.

Verlander gave up the first hit with one out in the seventh inning. He gave up only two hits over seven innings and struck out nine in the 9-0 win over the Astros. Verlander already has two career no-hitters, on June 12, 2007 and May 7, 2011—he was Box-Toppers Player of the Day both times.

Marlins pitcher Kevin Slowey is National League Player of the Day. Slowey pitched seven shutout innings and struck out seven in the 14-2 win over the Phillies.

Matt Holliday of the Cardinals is National League Batter of the Day. Holliday homered and went 2-for-3 in the 10-1 win over the Brewers.

Mark DeRosa of the Blue Jays is American League Player of the Day. DeRosa hit a three-run home run and went 3-for-5 in the 10-2 win over the Mariners.

Verlander receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Slowey receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Holliday and DeRosa receive 1.5 each 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:

505ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB12.0Tigers 0000000  Justin Verlander (W, 4-2)7.020029
NL10.0Marlins 0000000  Kevin Slowey (W, 1-2)7.020027
 9.0`Rangers 0000000  Yu Darvish 7.0433214
 6.0Twins 0000000  Mike Pelfrey (W, 3-3)6.041117
BAT5.0Cardinals Matt Holliday LF332310  00.000000
BAT4.0Blue Jays Mark DeRosa 3B533300  00.000000
 3.0Braves Freddie Freeman 1B523300  00.000000
 3.0Rays James Loney 1B433101  00.000000
 3.0`Royals 0000000  Luke Hochevar 2.000001
 2.0Giants Hunter Pence RF402401  00.000000
 2.0Reds Todd Frazier 3B312211  00.000000
 2.0Nationals Danny Espinosa 2B311300  00.000000
 1.1Orioles 0000000  Darren O`Day (S, 1)1.110001
 1.0Padres Jedd Gyorko 2B412202  00.000000
 1.0Athletics 0000000  Sean Doolittle (W, 2-0)1.000000

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

Cabrera takes over season Box-Toppers points lead; Fernandez is top player for Saturday, May 4

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers takes over the season lead in Box-Toppers points after winning Saturday's American League Batter of the Day honors. And Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez is Saturday's Player of the Day.

Cabrera picked up 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, bringing his season total to 7.2 and passing previous leader Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz with 7.1.​

Cabrera went 4-for-4 with two homers and six RBIs in the 17-2 win over the Astros. It is rare for a batter to lead all players in Box-Toppers points—pitchers usually dominate—however, Albert Pujols (then of the Cardinals) led all players in Box-Toppers points in 2009 as late as August, before then-Royals pitcher Zack Greinke eventually took over the lead.

Saturday was the fifth time this season Cabrera has been a Box-Toppers Player of the Game. This is the third time he was AL Batter of the Day. He was overall AL Player of the Day once.​

Fernandez ​won Player of the Day honors by giving up only one hit and striking out nine over seven innings in the 2-0 win over the Phillies.

​Phil Hughes of the Yankees is American League Player of the Day. Hughes pitched eight shutout innings and struck out nine in the 4-2 win over the Athletics.

A.J. Pollock of the Diamondbacks is National League Batter of the Day. Pollock homered, drove in three and went 2-for-4 in the 8-1 win over the Padres.​

Fernandez receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Hughes receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Cabrera and Pollock receive 1.5 each 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:

504ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB14.0Marlins 0000000  Jose Fernandez (W, 1-2)7.010019
AL11.0Yankees 0000000  Phil Hughes (W, 1-2)8.040029
BAT9.0Tigers Miguel Cabrera 3B434610  00.000000
 7.0Royals 0000000  Jeremy Guthrie (W, 4-0)9.040013
BAT4.0Diamondbacks A.J. Pollock CF432310  00.000000
 4.0Rockies Troy Tulowitzki SS313300  00.000000
 4.0Cardinals Jon Jay CF312411  00.000000
 3.0Mariners Michael Saunders CF523300  00.000000
 3.0Indians Jason Kipnis 2B423200  00.000000
 3.0Giants Pablo Sandoval 3B433110  00.000000
 2.0Rangers Craig Gentry CF412301  00.000000
 2.0Nationals Ryan Zimmerman 3B231020  00.000000
 1.0Orioles Nolan Reimold DH421201  00.000000
 1.0Reds Devin Mesoraco PH, C000100  00.000000

Derek Holland, A.J. Burnett top players for Friday, May 3

Rangers pitcher Derek Holland is Friday's Player of the Day. Holland threw eight shutout innings and struck out nine in the 7-0 win over the Red Sox.

Holland and Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez had identical 10.0 Box-Toppers game scores, but Holland was given the nod as Player of the Day by the strikeout tie-breaker—he had nine and Hernandez had seven.​

Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett is National League Player of the Day. Burnett gave up only one run over seven innings and struck out nine in the 3-1 win over the Nationals.​

Matt Holliday of the Cardinals is NL Batter of the Day. Holliday homered and went 3-for-4 in the 6-1 win over the Brewers.​

Drew Stubbs of the Indians is American League Batter of the Day. Stubbs hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th inning and went 4-for-5 in the 7-6 win over the Twins.​

Holland receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Burnett receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Holliday and Stubbs receive 1.5 each 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:

503ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB10.0Rangers 0000000  Derek Holland (W, 2-2)8.060019
 10.0Mariners 0000000  Felix Hernandez (W, 4-2)8.050007
NL8.0Pirates 0000000  A.J. Burnett (W, 3-2)7.051119
 7.0Angels 0000000  Jason Vargas (W, 1-3)9.030023
BAT4.0Cardinals Matt Holliday LF433210  00.000000
 4.0Athletics 0000000  A.J. Griffin (W, 3-2)7.060014
 3.0Tigers 0000000  Drew Smyly (W, 2-0)2.000001
 3.0`Rays 0000000  Joel Peralta 1.000002
 2.2`Mets 0000000  LaTroy Hawkins 1.210002
 2.1Phillies 0000000  Jonathan Pettibone (W, 2-0)6.151103
 2.0Giants Buster Posey C312210  00.000000
 1.1Reds 0000000  J.J. Hoover (S, 1)0.100001
BAT1.0Indians Drew Stubbs CF514100  00.000000
 1.0Padres Yonder Alonso 1B412200  00.000000

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

Box-Toppers takes early crack at picking All-Star teams

Is it too early to be voting on All-Stars for the midsummer classic?

Yes.

That said, voting is open at mlb.com and fans have already started to vote even though there is not enough evidence yet to reveal who the season's all-stars really are.​

Since it is not stopping fans, we won't let it stop us at Box-Toppers, either. We will take a look at who is leading in Box-Toppers points by position and in each league. We'll also choose pitchers, even though voters don't get to pick those.

And because the season is only a little more than a month old and there hasn't yet been enough baseball played to clearly determine top players, we'll look at our all-star teams in two different ways. We'll look at Box-Toppers point leaders so far through the young 2013 season. And we'll look at who is leading in Box-Toppers points for the combined 2012 and 2013 seasons.​

The lists for both teams are below.​

2013 SEASON   2012-13 SEASONS 
ALPLAYERTEAMBTP PLAYERTEAMBTP
First baseMoss, Brandon 2520oak al3 Napoli, Mike 2161bos al10.7
Second baseKendrick, Howie 2191ana al2.5 Cano, Robinson 2092nyy al6
ShortstopLowrie, Jed 2437oak al2.5 Hardy, J.J. 2071bal al8.2
Third baseCabrera, Miguel 1776det al5.7 Cabrera, Miguel 1776det al17.4
CatcherWieters, Matt 2643bal al3 Mauer, Joe 1869min al10.5
Outfield 1Raburn, Ryan 2340cle al3.5 Davis, Chris 2478bal al14
Outfield 2Davis, Chris 2478bal al2 Hamilton, Josh 2332ana al11.5
Outfield 3Willingham, Josh 2205min al2 Trout, Mike 2949ana al11
Designated hitterHafner, Travis 1650nyy al3.5 Butler, Billy 2330kc al11.2
Starting pitcher 1Buchholz, Clay 2363bos al7.1 Verlander, Justin 2112det al27.8
Starting pitcher 2Moore, Matt 2975tb al6.7 Darvish, Yu 3003tex al22.8
Starting pitcher 3Darvish, Yu 3003tex al6 Hernandez, Felix 2064sea al22.4
Starting pitcher 4Masterson, Justin 2462cle al4.7 Dickey, R.A. 1734tor al22.1
Middle relieverChen, Bruce 1170kc al2 Chen, Bruce 1170kc al8
Closing pitcherPerkins, Glen 2506min al3 Rodney, Fernando 1803tb al8
NL       
First baseCarpenter, Matt 2987stl nl2.5 LaRoche, Adam 1910dc nl9
Second baseEllis, Mark 1614lad nl2.5 Phillips, Brandon 1691cin nl11
ShortstopTulowitzki, Troy 2308col nl1 Tulowitzki, Troy 2308col nl6
Third baseFrazier, Todd 2929cin nl2.5 Freese, David 2710stl nl10.7
CatcherPosey, Buster 2745sf nl2 Posey, Buster 2745sf nl7.5
Outfield 1Harper, Bryce 3011dc nl4.9 Braun, Ryan J. 2300mil nl15
Outfield 2Gonzalez, Carlos 2460col nl4 Gonzalez, Carlos 2460col nl13.2
Outfield 3Bruce, Jay 2453cin nl3 Holliday, Matt 1836stl nl11.7
Starting pitcher 1Lynn, Lance 2992stl nl5.7 Kershaw, Clayton 2494lad nl25.8
Starting pitcher 2Kershaw, Clayton 2494lad nl5 Lynn, Lance 2992stl nl23.4
Starting pitcher 3Harvey, Matt 3075nym nl5 Gonzalez, Gio 2626dc nl21.7
Starting pitcher 4Maholm, Paul 2078atl nl4.7 Bumgarner, Madison 2753sf nl21.4
Middle relieverCasilla, Santiago 2301sf nl2 Casilla, Santiago 2301sf nl6
Closing pitcherChapman, Aroldis 2826cin nl2 Chapman, Aroldis 2826cin nl16
AL top playerBuchholz, Clay 2363bos al7.1 Verlander, Justin 2112det al27.8
AL top batterCabrera, Miguel 1776det al5.7 Cabrera, Miguel 1776det al17.4
NL top playerLynn, Lance 2992stl nl5.7 Kershaw, Clayton 2494lad nl25.8
NL top batterHarper, Bryce 3011dc nl4.9 Braun, Ryan J. 2300mil nl15

Red Sox, led by Clay Buchholz, top Box-Toppers team power rankings

​The Boston Red Sox have risen to the top spot in Box-Toppers team power rankings after being ranked third last week.

Red Sox players have accumulated the most Box-Toppers points for the season (24.6), followed by the St. Louis Cardinals (22.9). The Cards were also ranked second last week.

The Red Sox also have the best win-loss record in baseball at 20-8. The Cardinals are in a three-way tie for the best ​record in the National League. The Cards, the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies are all 17-11.

The Texas Rangers, last week's top team, fell to third place in Box-Toppers team rankings.​

The Red Sox are led by overall Box-Toppers points leader and starting pitcher Clay Buchholz, who has 7.1.​ Eleven different Red Sox have been named Player of the Game and have earned Box-Toppers points this season.

The Cardinals are led by pitchers Lance Lynn (5.7) and Adam Wainwright (4.0).​

502Top 10 TeamsPtsLast week rank
1Red Sox24.63
2Cardinals22.92
3Rangers22.41
4Nationals22.08
5Tigers20.9Not ranked
6Rockies19.76
7Orioles19.59
8Braves19.44
9Athletics18.79
10Reds18.75

Chris Tillman, Dan Haren top players for Thursday, May 2

Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman is Thursday's Player of the Day. Tillman pitched eight scoreless innings in the 5-1 win over the Angels.

Nationals pitcher Dan Haren is National League Player of the Day. Haren allowed only one run over eight innings in the 3-1 win over the Braves.​

Domonic Brown of the Phillies is National League Batter of the Day. Brown homered and went 3-for-4 in the 7-2 win over the Marlins.​

Note: Padres middle relief pitcher Joe Thatcher was Player of the Game in the 4-2 win over the Cubs. It has been more than five years since Thatcher was last top player in a game. He was last named Player of the Game on September 25, 2007. Thursday was the second time in his career he was named top player in a game.

Tillman receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Haren receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Brown receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day. No American League batter was named Player of the Game, so no bonus points were given Thursday for AL Batter of the Day. 

All of Thursday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

502ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB6.0Orioles 0000000  Chris Tillman (W, 2-1)8.030023
 5.1White Sox 0000000  Hector Santiago (W, 1-1)5.121126
 5.1Tigers 0000000  Luke Putkonen (W, 1-0)2.100014
NL5.0Nationals 0000000  Dan Haren (W, 3-3)8.041114
BAT3.0Phillies Domonic Brown LF423200  00.000000
 1.1Padres 0000000  Joe Thatcher (W, 2-0)0.100001
 1.0Cardinals David Freese 3B312111  00.000000
 1.0Red Sox 0000000  Ryan Dempster (W, 2-2)6.041134

Zimmermann top player, Buchholz takes Box-Toppers points lead, in games from Wednesday, May 1

Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Zimmermann threw eight shutout innings and struck out eight in the 2-0 win over the Braves.

Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is American League Player of the Day. Buchholz pitched seven shutout innings ​and struck out eight in the 10-1 win over the Blue Jays. Buchholz earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for AL Player of the Day and takes over as 2013 season leader in Box-Toppers points with 7.1, passing Rays pitcher Matt Moore, who has 6.7.

Kendrys Morales of the Mariners is American League Batter of the Day. Morales went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs in the 8-3 win over the Orioles.​

Angel Pagan of the Giants is National League Batter of the Day. Pagan went 2-for-4 with a home run in the 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks.​

Zimmermann receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Buchholz receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Morales and Pagan receive 1.5 each for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

501ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB14.0Nationals 0000000  Jordan Zimmermann (W, 5-1)8.020008
 13.0Cubs 0000000  Scott Feldman (W, 2-3)9.0322112
AL10.0Red Sox 0000000  Clay Buchholz (W, 6-0)7.020038
BAT3.0Mariners Kendrys Morales DH523301  00.000000
BAT3.0Giants Angel Pagan CF432212  00.000000
 3.0Mets Jordany Valdespin PH, CF211301  00.000000
 3.0Cardinals 0000000  Lance Lynn (W, 5-0)7.051125
 3.0Indians 0000000  Trevor Bauer (W, 1-1)5.010065
 2.0White Sox Alejandro De Aza LF422201  00.000000
 2.0Rockies Carlos Gonzalez LF312221  00.000000
 2.0Yankees Ben Francisco RF111110  00.000000
 2.0Royals 0000000  Bruce Chen (W, 2-0)2.020013
 1.0Angels Howie Kendrick 2B413101  00.000000
 1.0Twins Chris Parmelee RF412201  00.000000
 1.0Pirates Pedro Alvarez 3B412201  00.000000

Marlins' Kevin Slowey (8IP 1R 8K) is top player for Tuesday, April 30

Marlins pitcher Kevin Slowey is Tuesday's Player of the Day. Slowey gave up only one run and struck out eight over eight innings in the 2-1 win over the Mets.

Slowey left the game with the Marlins trailing 1-0, so was not eligible for the win. The Marlins scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, winning the game on a walk-off wild pitch.

Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda is American League Player of the Day. Kuroda threw seven shutout innings and struck out eight in the 7-4 win over the Astros.​

Rickie Weeks of the Brewers is National League Batter of the Day. Weeks went 3-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs in the 12-8 win over the Pirates.​

Ryan Raburn of the Indians is American League Batter of the Day. Raburn hit two homers while going 3-for-4 in the 14-2 win over the Phillies. Tuesday was the second straight day Raburn was Player of the Game. On Monday, he was overall Player of the Day.​

Slowey receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Kuroda receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Weeks and Raburn receive 1.5 each 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:

430ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB10.0`Marlins 0000000  Kevin Slowey 8.041108
 9.0Dodgers 0000000  Hyun-Jin Ryu (W, 3-1)6.0322212
BAT7.0Brewers Rickie Weeks 2B433510  00.000000
AL7.0Yankees 0000000  Hiroki Kuroda (W, 4-1)7.040048
 6.0Tigers 0000000  Justin Verlander (W, 3-2)7.051128
 6.0Braves 0000000  Tim Hudson (W, 3-1)7.031126
 5.0Padres Carlos Quentin LF433301  00.000000
BAT5.0Indians Ryan Raburn RF433300  00.000000
 5.0`Giants 0000000  Madison Bumgarner 7.030012
 4.0Blue Jays Edwin Encarnacion 1B422400  00.000000
 4.0Royals 0000000  James Shields (W, 2-2)7.052217
 4.0Cardinals 0000000  Edward Mujica (S, 5)1.000003
 3.0Athletics Yoenis Cespedes CF412400  00.000000
 2.0Rangers Mitch Moreland 1B313110  00.000000
 0.0Orioles Chris Dickerson RF503202  00.000000

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

Indians' Ryan Raburn (4-for-4, 2 HR) is top player for Monday, April 29

Ryan Raburn of the Indians, who went 4-for-4 and hit two home runs in the 9-0 win over the Royals, is Monday's Player of the Day.

Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood is National League Player of the Day. Chatwood threw six shutout innings in the 12-2 win over the Dodgers.​

Raburn receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Chatwood receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. No NL batter was named Player of the Game, so no bonus points were given Monday for NL Batter of the Day. 

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

429ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB6.0Indians Ryan Raburn RF424400  00.000000
NL6.0Rockies 0000000  Tyler Chatwood (W, 1-0)6.050005
 6.0`Marlins 0000000  Tom Koehler 3.010015
 5.1Tigers 0000000  Max Scherzer (W, 3-0)7.1633010
 5.0Astros Carlos Corporan C524400  00.000000
 4.2Braves 0000000  Jordan Walden (W, 1-0)1.200003
 4.0Brewers 0000000  Yovani Gallardo (W, 3-1)7.032125
 3.1`Athletics 0000000  Brett Anderson 5.131125
 3.1Cubs 0000000  Kevin Gregg (S, 4)1.100002
 3.0Giants 0000000  Jean Machi (W, 1-0)1.000002
 2.0Mariners 0000000  Joe Saunders (W, 2-3)9.042212
 2.0Reds 0000000  Mat Latos (W, 2-0)6.050034

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

Dodgers' Kershaw (12K 8IP) tops players for Sunday, April 28

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is Sunday's Player of the Day. Kershaw struck out 12 over eight shutout innings in the 2-0 win over the Brewers.

Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma is American League Player of the Day. Iwakuma struck out eight over six innings in the 2-1 win over the Angels. Though Iwakuma was Player of the Game, he left the game with the Mariners trailing 1-0 and was not eligible for the win.​

Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins is National League Batter of the Day. Stanton hit two homers and went 3-for-3 in the 6-4 win over the Cubs.​

Miguel Cabrera of the ​Tigers is American League Batter of the Day. Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in the 8-3 win over the Braves.

Kershaw receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Iwakuma receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Stanton and Cabrera receive 1.5 each 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:

428ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB16.0Dodgers 0000000  Clayton Kershaw (W, 3-2)8.0400012
 14.0Reds 0000000  Tony Cingrani (W, 2-0)6.0200111
AL10.0`Mariners 0000000  Hisashi Iwakuma 6.031008
BAT7.0Marlins Giancarlo Stanton RF333410  00.000000
 6.0Pirates 0000000  Jeff Locke (W, 3-1)7.030024
 4.0Padres Alexi Amarista CF332211  00.000000
 4.0Phillies 0000000  Cole Hamels (W, 1-3)6.021168
BAT3.0Tigers Miguel Cabrera 3B422301  00.000000
 3.0Rays Matt Joyce RF331220  00.000000
 3.0Royals Mike Moustakas 3B121130  00.000000
 3.0Twins 0000000  Kevin Correia (W, 3-1)8.060012
 3.0`Yankees 0000000  Phil Hughes 6.072219
 2.0`Royals 0000000  Bruce Chen 3.032004
 2.0Athletics 0000000  Jerry Blevins (W, 1-0)1.000001
 1.0Red Sox Daniel Nava RF432001  00.000000
 0.0Diamondbacks Gerardo Parra CF, LF422000  00.000000

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

Rays' Matt Moore takes over Box-Toppers points lead; is top player for Saturday, April 27

Rays ​pitcher Matt Moore, who is Saturday's Player of the Day, takes over as season leader in Box-Toppers points.

Moore struck out nine over six innings in the 10-4 win over the White Sox. Moore receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day and now has 6.7 points for the season, passing Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish (6.0 points).

​Bryce Harper of the Nationals is National League Player of the Day. Harper went 2-for-3 with a homer in the 6-3 win over the Reds.

Omar Infante of the Tigers is American League Batter of the Day. Infante went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the 7-4 win over the Braves.​

Harper receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Infante receives 1.5 for being American League Batter of the Day,

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

427ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB9.0Rays 0000000  Matt Moore (W, 5-0)6.031119
 6.0Mariners 0000000  Felix Hernandez (W, 3-2)8.052117
 6.0Royals 0000000  Ervin Santana (W, 3-1)7.060005
BAT4.0Tigers Omar Infante 2B423300  00.000000
 3.0Yankees Travis Hafner DH412400  00.000000
NL3.0Nationals Bryce Harper LF322210  00.000000
 3.0Cubs 0000000  Travis Wood (W, 2-1)6.032215
 2.0Padres Yonder Alonso 1B523210  00.000000
 2.0Brewers Carlos Gomez CF523202  00.000000
 2.0Twins Josh Willingham LF422201  00.000000
 2.0Pirates Russell Martin C422200  00.000000
 2.0Red Sox David Ortiz DH302310  00.000000
 2.0Diamondbacks 0000000  J.J. Putz (W, 2-0)1.000001
 1.0Orioles Nate McLouth LF513200  00.000000
 1.0Phillies Domonic Brown LF512301  00.000000

Sanchez, Zimmermann top players for Friday, April 26

Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who struck out 17 Braves, is Friday's Player of the Day. Sanchez also gave up no runs, one walk and five hits in eight innings in the 10-0 win.

Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, who threw a one-hit, complete game shutout against the Reds, is National League Player of the Day. Zimmermann struck out four and gave up only one walk in the 1-0 win.​

David Ross of the Red Sox is American League Batter of the Day. Ross hit two home runs and went 4-for-4 in the 7-3 win over the Astros.​

Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs is National League Batter of the Day. Rizzo hit two home runs and went 3-for-4 and drove in all the Cubs' runs in the 4-2 win over the Marlins.​

Sanchez receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Zimmermann receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Ross and Rizzo receive 1.5 each 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:

426ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB19.0Tigers 0000000  Anibal Sanchez (W, 3-1)8.0500117
NL11.0Nationals 0000000  Jordan Zimmermann (W, 4-1)9.010014
 10.0Phillies 0000000  Kyle Kendrick (W, 2-1)9.030015
 9.0Orioles 0000000  Wei-Yin Chen (W, 2-2)8.020025
 9.0Cardinals 0000000  Lance Lynn (W, 4-0)7.021139
 7.0Yankees 0000000  David Phelps (W, 1-1)4.021129
 6.0Rangers 0000000  Justin Grimm (W, 2-0)7.050004
BAT5.0Red Sox David Ross C434200  00.000000
BAT5.0Cubs Anthony Rizzo 1B423400  00.000000
 4.2Dodgers 0000000  Ronald Belisario (W, 2-2)1.200003
 3.0Padres 0000000  Andrew Cashner (W, 1-1)6.051115
 1.0Rockies Jordan Pacheco 1B423000  00.000000
 1.0White Sox Tyler Greene 2B412201  00.000000
 0.0Angels Hank Conger C411201  00.000000