Dodgers' Rich Hill tops players for Saturday, Sept. 10, rises to 9th; Nationals' Scherzer bolsters lead in Box-Toppers rankings

Shawn Plank September 11, 2016

Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill is Saturday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day and rises to ninth in season player rankings.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 10:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	23.7
2	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	20.4
3	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	18.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1
8	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
9	Hill, Rich 2215	pi sp	lad nl	14.4
10	Tanaka, Masahiro 3305	pi sp	nyy al	14.1

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Saturday, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer bolstered his first-place spot in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors. Plus, Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka rises to 10th place in player rankings after earning American League Player of the Day honors.

Player of the Day—Hill pitched seven perfect innings, striking out nine, in the 5-0 win over the Marlins. Despite allowing no base runners for seven innings, he was pulled after 89 pitches to preserve his health—he had spent time recently on the disabled list. While three Dodgers relievers preserved the shutout, they did give up two hits.

Hill earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 14.4 for the season, rising to ninth place in season player rankings. He ranks seventh among NL pitchers.

American League Player of the Day—Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka struck out 10 over 7 1/3 innings, allowing one run, five hits and no walks, in the 5-1 win over the Rays.

Tanaka earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 14.1 for the season, rising to 10th place in season player rankings. He ranks third among AL pitchers.

With the rise of Hill to ninth place and Tanaka to 10th place in season player rankings, two other players were displaced from Box-Toppers top 10 list for the season—Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (14.0) and Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta (13.7).

American League Batter of the Day—Matt Wieters of the Orioles hit two homers and went 2-for-4, scoring three times and driving in five runs, in the 11-3 win over the Tigers.

National League Batter of the Day—Hunter Pence of the Giants homered and went 3-for-3, scoring four times and driving in one run, in the 11-3 win over the Diamondbacks. It is the second straight day Pence has earned Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors. He has 3.5 Box-Toppers points for the season.

Rankings—Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer bolstered his first place spot in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Saturday.

Scherzer (6.2IP 4H 0R BB 8K ND in the 3-0 win over the Phillies) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 23.7 for the season. He leads second-place player, Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez (20.4) by 3.3 points.

Scherzer also now has 129.7 career Box-Toppers points, 31st-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He passes Trevor Hoffman (129.4) on the “all-time” list and now trails 30th-ranked Jason Giambi (133.4).

Notable—Three other players with more than 10 Box-Toppers points on the season also earned Player of the Game honors Saturday:

Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ (6IP 4H 2R BB 5K W in the 3-2 win over the Red Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 13.7 for the season, 13th among all players and fourth among AL pitchers.
Joey Votto of the Reds (HR 2B 4-5 2R BI in the 8-7 win over the Pirates) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.5 for the season, 33rd among all players and second among NL batters, behind Kris Bryant of the Cubs (10.5). (Bryant holds the higher rank because he had more 2015 Box-Toppers points—8.5 vs. 5.)
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (8IP 6H R 4BB 7K W in the 5-1 win over the Brewers) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.2 for the season, 36th among all players and 17th among NL pitchers. Wainwright now has 112.0 career Box-Toppers points, 52nd-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He passes Adrian Beltre of the Rangers (111.3) in “all-time” rankings and now trails 51st-ranked player Kevin Brown (112.8).

Debut—Twins pitcher J.T. Chargois made his Box-Toppers debut Saturday, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors.

Chargois (1IP 0H 0R 0BB K W in the 2-1, 12-inning win over the Indians) made his Major League debut June 11 and was playing in his 16th career game. He is the 3,736th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Hill earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Tanaka earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Wieters and Pence each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Saturday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

About Box-Toppers—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. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/10
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    16.0
    LAD 5, MIA 0
    Rich Hill (W,12-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    9
  

    
    14.0
    SD 6, COL 3
    Christian Friedrich (W,5-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    2
    0
    0
    1
    10
  

    AL
    10.1
    NYY 5, TB 1
    Masahiro Tanaka (W,13-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.1
    5
    1
    1
    0
    10
  

    
    9.2
    `WSH 3, PHI 0
    Max Scherzer
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.2
    4
    0
    0
    1
    8
  

    BAT
    6.0
    BAL 11, DET 3
    Matt Wieters, C
    4
    3
    2
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    5.0
    SF 11, ARI 3
    Hunter Pence, RF
    3
    4
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    SEA 14, OAK 3
    Nelson Cruz, DH
    4
    2
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    HOU 2, CHC 1
    Collin McHugh (W,10-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    2
    1
    1
    3
    6
  

    
    3.0
    STL 5, MIL 1
    Adam Wainwright (W,11-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    6
    1
    1
    4
    7
  

    
    2.0
    CIN 8, PIT 7
    Joey Votto, 1B
    5
    2
    4
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    TEX 8, LAA 5
    Carlos Gomez, LF
    5
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    KC 6, CHW 5
    Eric Hosmer, 1B
    3
    1
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    TOR 3, BOS 2
    J.A. Happ (W,18-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    2
    2
    1
    5
  

    
    2.0
    MIN 2, CLE 1 (12)
    J.T. Chargois (W,1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    1.0
    ATL 4, NYM 3 (10)
    Matt Kemp, LF
    3
    1
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Here are Box-Toppers point totals of each of the Players of the Game. Players are ranked by their Box-Toppers point total for the current season (16). Also shown are each players’ Box-Toppers point total for this season and last (15-16), the period 2011-2016 (11-16) and each players’ career point total. Also shown is how their 2016 Box-Toppers point total compares with their 2015 total (+/-).


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	23.7	44.7	109.3	129.7	2.7
Hill, Rich 2215	pi sp	lad nl	14.4	18.4	18.4	38.1	10.4
Tanaka, Masahiro 3305	pi sp	nyy al	14.1	22.1	34.8	34.8	6.1
Happ, J.A. 2536	pi sp	tor al	13.7	26.8	42.2	50.2	0.6
Votto, Joey 2366	1b	cin nl	10.5	15.5	32.2	64.2	5.5
Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	10.2	13.2	61.3	112.0	7.2
Wieters, Matt 2643	ca	bal al	9.5	10.5	28.5	34.2	8.5
Hosmer, Eric 2886	1b	kc al	8.5	17.5	31.0	31.0	-0.5
McHugh, Collin 3316	pi sp	hou al	7.7	17.4	29.2	29.2	-2.0
Kemp, Matt 2151	rf lf	atl nl	6.5	12.0	36.5	58.1	1.0
Cruz, Nelson Ramon 2224	dh	sea al	5.5	7.5	33.2	52.7	3.5
Pence, Hunter 2287	rf	sf nl	3.5	5.5	24.5	52.2	1.5
Friedrich, Christian 3024	pi sp	sd nl	2.7	2.7	6.4	6.4	2.7
Gomez, Carlos 2397	cf lf	tex al	2.0	8.0	18.5	29.5	-4.0
Chargois, J.T. 3736	pi cp	min al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Marlins' Jose Fernandez tops players for Friday, Sept. 9, rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers player rankings

Shawn Plank September 10, 2016

Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez is Friday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day and rises to second place in season player rankings.

Also Friday, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester maintained his spot in fifth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors. Plus, Mark Teixeira of the Yankees reached 100 career Box-Toppers points after earning American League Batter of the Day honors Friday.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 9:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	20.4
3	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	18.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1
8	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Player of the Day—Fernandez pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out 14 and allowing three hits and three walks, in the 4-1 win over the Dodgers.

Fernandez earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 20.4 for the season and rising to second place in season player rankings.

Fernandez passed Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (20.0) in the rankings, who just happened to be making his return from more than two months on the disabled list in the same game. Kershaw (3IP 5H 2R 0BB 5K L) had a Box-Toppers game score of −1.0 in his return. Kershaw, who led Box-Toppers season rankings from May 7 to Aug. 24, now falls to third place.

Fernandez becomes the third player with 20.0 or more Box-Toppers points this season and now trails overall season leader, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (22.7). This is now Fernandez’s best season; his previous best year was his rookie year of 2013, when he had 19.0 Box-Toppers points.

American League Player of the Day—Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run, three hits and one walk, in the 2-1 win over the Angels. Darvish did not earn the win, picking up a no-decision, because the game was tied when he exited.

American League Batter of the Day—Mark Teixeira of the Yankees hit a grand slam and went 2-for-3, scoring twice, in the 7-5 win over the Rays.

Teixeira earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 100.3 points over his 14-year career. Teixeira, who has announced his retirement at the end of the season, becomes the 74th player and 27th batter with 100 or more career points since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. Teixeira now ranks 73rd on the “all-time” list, just ahead of Larry Walker (100.1) and just behind Jeff Bagwell (100.4).

Teixeira earned his first points in 2003 with the Rangers. His best season was 2009 with the Yankees when he had 11.5 points, ranked sixth among AL batters. He had 7.5 points in 2015 with the Yankees, 17th among AL batters. He has 3.0 Box-Toppers points in 2016.

National League Batter of the Day—Curtis Granderson of the Mets homered and went 2-for-2, scoring twice and driving in three runs, in the 6-4 win over the Braves.

Rankings—Cubs pitcher Jon Lester bolstered his fifth-place spot in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday.

Lester (7IP 7H 0R 0BB 7K W in the 2-0 win over the Astros) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 18.1 for the season. He ranks fourth among NL pitchers.

Lester now has 139.2 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 27th among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his point Friday, he passes Andy Pettitte (138.5) on the “all-time” list and now trails 26th-ranked player, Giants pitcher Jake Peavy (141.8).

Notable—Two other players with more than 10 Box-Toppers points for the season earned Player of the Game honors Friday:

Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark (6IP 6H R 2BB 8K ND in the 5-4 win over the Phillies) now has 11.7 Box-Toppers points, 24th among all players and 15th among NL pitchers.
Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer (7IP 3H 2R BB 5K ND in the 4-3 win over the Orioles) now has 11.7 Box-Toppers points, 25th among all players and eighth among AL pitchers.

Also notable—Tim Adleman of the Reds (2B 2-2 R BI in the 4-3 win over the Pirates) became the sixth pitcher this season to earn Player of the Game honors for batting. Pitchers have earned Player of the Game honors seven times in 2016—Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals did it twice.

Scoring—Fernandez earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Darvish earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Teixeira and Granderson each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Friday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/9
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    15.0
    MIA 4, LAD 1
    Jose Fernandez (W,14-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    3
    14
  

    AL
    9.2
    `TEX 2, LAA 1
    Yu Darvish
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.2
    3
    1
    1
    1
    9
  

    
    7.0
    CHC 2, HOU 0
    Jon Lester (W,16-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    7
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    BAT
    5.0
    NYY 7, TB 5
    Mark Teixeira, 1B
    3
    2
    2
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    5.0
    NYM 6, ATL 4
    Curtis Granderson, CF
    2
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    BOS 13, TOR 3
    Dustin Pedroia, 2B
    4
    1
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    `DET 4, BAL 3
    Michael Fulmer
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    2
    2
    1
    5
  

    
    4.0
    CHW 7, KC 2
    Carlos Rodon (W,7-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    6
    2
    1
    2
    9
  

    
    4.0
    `WSH 5, PHI 4
    Tanner Roark
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    6
    1
    1
    2
    8
  

    
    3.0
    SF 7, ARI 6 (12)
    Hunter Pence, RF
    5
    4
    4
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    CLE 5, MIN 4
    Cody Allen (S,27)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    `STL 4, MIL 3
    Kevin Siegrist (H,15)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    `SEA 3, OAK 2
    Steve Cishek (H,4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    COL 4, SD 1
    Adam Ottavino (S,3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    CIN 4, PIT 3
    Tim Adleman, P
    2
    1
    2
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	20.4	25.1	51.1	51.1	15.7
Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	18.1	30.1	76.3	139.2	6.1
Roark, Tanner 3261	pi sp	dc nl	11.7	12.7	27.7	27.7	10.7
Fulmer, Michael 3640	pi sp	det al	11.7	11.7	11.7	11.7	11.7
Allen, Cody 3265	pi cp mr	cle al	7.0	11.0	16.0	16.0	3.0
Darvish, Yu 3003	pi sp	tex al	6.4	6.4	51.6	51.6	6.4
Rodon, Carlos 3494	pi sp	chi al	5.0	13.1	13.1	13.1	-3.1
Cishek, Steve 2997	pi cp	sea al	5.0	6.0	25.0	25.0	4.0
Granderson, Curtis 2051	rf cf ph	nym nl	4.5	8.5	33.4	65.8	0.5
Siegrist, Kevin 3260	pi mr cp	stl nl	4.0	8.0	10.0	10.0	0.0
Pedroia, Dustin 2320	2b	bos al	4.0	4.0	24.4	36.5	4.0
Teixeira, Mark 1738	1b	nyy al	3.0	10.5	31.2	100.3	-4.5
Pence, Hunter 2287	rf	sf nl	2.0	4.0	23.0	50.7	0.0
Ottavino, Adam 3054	pi cp	col nl	2.0	4.0	6.0	6.0	0.0
Adleman, Tim 3625	pi sp	cin nl	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Scherzer tops Box-Toppers player rankings for 3rd week, Machado rises to lead AL batters

Shawn Plank September 9, 2016

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer tops Box-Toppers season player rankings for 3rd week, Manny Machado of the Orioles rises to lead AL batters in points.

Cubs maintain Box-Toppers team rankings lead, Orioles are week's hottest team

Shawn Plank September 9, 2016

Chicago Cubs remain top-ranked team in Box-Toppers points. Red Sox continue lead among AL teams. Orioles pick up most Box-Toppers points in past week.

Padres' Clayton Richard tops players for Thursday, Sept. 8; Yankees' McCann tops AL players

Shawn Plank September 9, 2016

Padres pitcher Clayton Richard is Thursday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 8:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1
8	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Richard pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out eight and allowing six hits and two walks, in the 14-1 win over the Rockies.

American League Player of the Day—Brian McCann of the Yankees hit two homers and went 3-for-4 in the 5-4 win over the Rays.

National League Batter of the Day—Hernan Perez of the Brewers hit two doubles and went 4-for-5, scoring once and driving in three runs, in the 12-5 win over the Cardinals.

American League Batter of the Day—There is no separate AL Batter of the Day for Thursday because the overall AL Player of the Day was batter Brian McCann.

Notable—Kyle Seager of the Mariners has the most season Box-Toppers points of any of the seven who earned Player of the Game honors Thursday.

Seager (HR 3-4 2R 2BI in the 6-3 win over the Rangers) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 9.5 for the season. He ranks 41st among all players and seventh among AL batters.

Seager had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0, the same as AL Player of the Day Brian McCann. Both also had identical line scores (3-4 2R 2BI), but McCann held the tiebreaker to earn AL Player of the Day because he had two home runs and Seager had one.

Debut—Phillies pitcher Alec Asher made his Box-Toppers debut Thursday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Asher (6IP 2H 0R BB 0K W in the 4-1 win over the Nationals) made his Major League debut Aug. 30, 2015, and was playing in his eighth career game. He is the 3,735th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Richard earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and McCann earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Perez earns 1.5 points for being NL Batter of the Day. All of Thursday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/8
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    7.0
    SD 14, COL 1
    Clayton Richard (W,2-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    6
    0
    0
    2
    8
  

    
    5.0
    PIT 4, CIN 1
    Ivan Nova (W,12-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    6
    1
    1
    0
    4
  

    BAT
    3.0
    MIL 12, STL 5
    Hernan Perez, 2B-3B
    5
    1
    4
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    AL
    3.0
    NYY 5, TB 4
    Brian McCann, C
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    SEA 6, TEX 3
    Kyle Seager, 3B
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    CLE 10, HOU 7
    Francisco Lindor, SS
    3
    1
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    PHI 4, WSH 1
    Alec Asher (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    0
    0
    1
    0
  

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Seager, Kyle 3031	3b	sea al	9.5	14.5	28.5	28.5	4.5
Nova, Ivan 2796	pi sp	pit nl	6.0	7.0	28.1	29.1	5.0
Lindor, Francisco 3586	ss	cle al	5.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	4.5
Perez, Hernan 3577	3b ss 2b	mil nl	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	4.0
McCann, Brian 2179	ca	nyy al	3.2	9.7	35.4	58.4	-3.3
Richard, Clayton 2584	pi sp	sd nl	2.0	3.0	11.2	29.6	1.0
Asher, Alec 3735	pi sp	phi nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Marlins' Andrew Cashner tops players for Wednesday, Sept. 7; Nationals' Strasburg rises to 7th in Box-Toppers player rankings, despite injury

Shawn Plank September 8, 2016

Marlins pitcher Andrew Cashner is Wednesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 7:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1
8	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Wednesday, Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—Cashner pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out nine and allowing four hits and two walks, in the 6-0 win over the Phillies.

American League Player of the Day—Adam Lind of the Mariners hit two home runs, including a grand slam, in the 8-3 win over the Rangers. Lind went 2-for-3, driving in five runs.

National League Batter of the Day—Jung Ho Kang of the Pirates homered and went 3-for-4, driving in two runs, in the 4-3 win over the Cardinals.

American League Batter of the Day—There is no separate AL Batter of the Day for Wednesday because the overall AL Player of the Day is batter Adam Lind.

Rankings—Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Wednesday, despite leaving the game early with an injury.

Strasburg (2.1IP 2H R 0BB 4K ND in the 5-4, 11-inning win over the Braves) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 15.1 for the season. He ranks fifth among NL pitchers.

Strasburg left the game in the third inning after experiencing elbow pain. He had been on the disabled list prior to his start Wednesday. He will undergo further testing today (Thursday).

It is rare for starting pitchers to earn Player of the Game honors pitching fewer than three innings, but Wednesday’s game presented those rare circumstances, helped by the fact that the Nationals used nine pitchers and the highest Box-Toppers game score achieved by a batter was +1.0. Strasburg won Player of the Game honors because he had a higher Box-Toppers game score and more innings pitched than the pitcher who otherwise would have won. Mat Latos, who served as closer, had a Box-Toppers game score of +1.1 (0.1IP 0H 0R 0BB K W) and would have been Player of the Game, but Strasburg had a higher Box-Toppers game score (+2.1) and more innings pitched (2.1).

Notable—Red Sox pitcher David Price becomes the 35th player in 2016 with 10 or more season Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors Wednesday.

Price (7IP 6H 2R 0BB 8K W in the 7-2 win over the Padres) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.4 for the season. He ranks 33rd among all players and 13th among AL pitchers. This is his sixth 10-point season in the past seven years.

Price now has 104.2 career Box-Toppers points, 64th-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He passes Jamie Moyer (104.0) on the “all-time” list and now trails 63rd-ranked player Carlos Beltran of the Rangers (104.9).

Debut—Two players made their Box-Toppers debut Wednesday, the first time in their careers they earned Player of the Game honors:

Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton (6.1IP 2H R 2BB 3K W in the 4-1 win over the Angels) was making his Major League debut. He is the 3,733rd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.
Cristhian Adames of the Rockies (2B 1-1 2BI in the 6-5 win over the Giants) made his Major League debut July 29, 2014, and was playing in his 136th career game. He is the 3,734th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Cashner earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Lind earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Kang earns 1.5 points for being NL Batter of the Day. All of Wednesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/7
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    8.1
    MIA 6, PHI 0
    Andrew Cashner (W,5-11)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.1
    4
    0
    0
    2
    9
  

    AL
    6.0
    SEA 8, TEX 3
    Adam Lind, 1B
    3
    2
    2
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    BOS 7, SD 2
    David Price (W,15-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    6
    2
    2
    0
    8
  

    
    4.0
    `MIL 2, CHC 1
    Matt Garza
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    1
    1
    2
    5
  

    
    4.0
    `NYY 2, TOR 0
    Luis Severino (H,1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    3.0
    1
    0
    0
    1
    3
  

    
    3.1
    OAK 4, LAA 1
    Jharel Cotton (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    2
    1
    1
    2
    3
  

    
    3.0
    TB 7, BAL 6
    Kevin Kiermaier, CF
    4
    1
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    CLE 6, HOU 5
    Cody Allen (S,25)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    2.1
    `WSH 5, ATL 4 (11)
    Stephen Strasburg
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.1
    2
    1
    1
    0
    4
  

    BAT
    2.0
    PIT 4, STL 3
    Jung Ho Kang, 3B
    4
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    MIN 6, KC 5
    Robbie Grossman, LF
    4
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    NYM 6, CIN 3
    Wilmer Flores, PH-2B-1B
    2
    1
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    LAD 3, ARI 1
    Yasiel Puig, RF
    2
    1
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    COL 6, SF 5
    Cristhian Adames, PH
    1
    0
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.1
    CHW 7, DET 4
    Chris Beck (W,2-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    1
    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.
  

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1	29.1	75.2	82.9	1.1
Price, David 2593	pi sp	bos al	10.4	31.5	87.5	104.2	-10.7
Allen, Cody 3265	pi mr cp	cle al	6.0	10.0	15.0	15.0	2.0
Lind, Adam 2238	1b ph	sea al	5.4	11.9	31.9	59.5	-1.1
Cashner, Andrew 2807	pi sp	fla nl	4.7	7.7	27.4	30.4	1.7
Flores, Wilmer 3345	3b 1b 2b ph	nym nl	4.5	7.0	9.5	9.5	2.0
Garza, Matt 2343	pi sp	mil nl	3.7	5.4	35.1	71.8	2.0
Puig, Yasiel 3193	rf	lad nl	3.5	7.0	9.5	9.5	0.0
Kang, Jung-Ho 3464	ss 3b	pit nl	2.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	-0.5
Severino, Luis 3567	pi mr sp	nyy al	2.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	-1.0
Kiermaier, Kevin 3373	cf	tb al	2.0	3.0	5.5	5.5	1.0
Grossman, Robbie 3267	lf	min al	2.0	2.0	9.0	9.0	2.0
Beck, Chris 3708	pi mr	chi al	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Adames, Cristhian 3734	ph	col nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Cotton, Jharel 3733	pi sp	oak al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Giants' Jeff Samardzija tops players for Tuesday, Sept. 6; Orioles' Machado rises to lead AL batters in Box-Toppers points

Shawn Plank September 7, 2016

Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija is Tuesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 6:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Tuesday, Manny Machado of the Orioles rises to lead American League batters in season Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—Samardzija struck out nine over seven innings, allowing two runs, four hits and one walk, in the 3-2 win over the Rockies. Samardzija did not earn the win, picking up a no decision, because the Giants trailed when he exited.

American League Batter of the Day—White Sox pitcher Miguel Gonzalez pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing six hits, no walks and striking out four, in the 2-0 win over the Tigers.

National League Batter of the Day—Yadier Molina of the Cardinals hit a grand slam and two doubles in the 9-7 win over the Pirates. Molina went 4-for-5, scoring twice.

American League Batter of the Day—Kendrys Morales of the Royals hit two home runs, including a three-run homer, in the 10-3 win over the Twins. Morales went 2-for-5, driving in five runs.

Rankings—Manny Machado of the Orioles rises to lead AL batters in Box-Toppers points for the season after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday.

Machado (GS 3-6 R 5BI in the 11-2 win over the Rays) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 12.7 for the season. He passes Jose Altuve of the Astros (12.5) for the lead among AL batters in season Box-Toppers points. Machado ranks 14th among all players.

Debut—Two players made their Box-Toppers debut Tuesday, the first time in their careers they earned Player of the Game honors:

Astros pitcher James Hoyt (1.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K W in the 4-3 win over the Indians) made his Major League debut Aug. 3 and was playing in his 12th career game. He is the 3,731st player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.
Tyler Austin of the Yankees (HR 1-2 R 2BI in the 7-6 win over the Blue Jays) made his Major League debut Aug. 13 and was playing in his 15th career game. He is the 3,732nd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Samardzija earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Gonzalez earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Molina and Morales each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Tuesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/6
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    7.0
    `SF 3, COL 2
    Jeff Samardzija
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    2
    2
    1
    9
  

    BAT
    5.0
    STL 9, PIT 7
    Yadier Molina, C
    5
    2
    4
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    AL
    4.1
    CHW 2, DET 0
    Miguel Gonzalez (W,3-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    6
    0
    0
    0
    4
  

    BAT
    4.0
    KC 10, MIN 3
    Kendrys Morales, DH
    5
    2
    2
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    MIL 12, CHC 5
    Ryan Braun, LF
    5
    3
    2
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    PHI 4, MIA 3
    Adam Morgan (W,2-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    1
    1
    0
    5
  

    
    3.1
    HOU 4, CLE 3
    James Hoyt (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    TEX 10, SEA 7
    Elvis Andrus, SS
    6
    3
    4
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    BAL 11, TB 2
    Manny Machado, 3B
    6
    1
    3
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    WSH 9, ATL 7
    Anthony Rendon, 3B
    4
    2
    1
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    LAD 5, ARI 2
    Ross Stripling (W,4-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    3
    2
    2
    0
    5
  

    
    3.0
    NYM 5, CIN 3
    Jeurys Familia (S,46)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    OAK 3, LAA 2
    Ryan Madson (S,28)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.2
    BOS 5, SD 1
    Clay Buchholz (W,6-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.2
    8
    1
    1
    0
    6
  

    
    2.0
    NYY 7, TOR 6
    Tyler Austin, 1B
    2
    1
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Machado, Manny 3087	3b ss	bal al	12.7	20.2	23.7	23.7	5.2
Braun, Ryan J. 2300	lf	mil nl	9.0	14.0	45.0	86.7	4.0
Samardzija, Jeff 2495	pi sp	sf nl	8.7	18.1	46.8	47.8	-0.7
Andrus, Elvis 2582	ss	tex al	7.7	7.7	15.2	18.2	7.7
Gonzalez, Miguel 3062	pi sp	chi al	7.4	14.1	36.2	36.2	0.7
Familia, Jeurys 3446	pi cp	nym nl	7.0	15.0	15.0	15.0	-1.0
Morales, Kendrys 2142	dh	kc al	5.5	10.2	20.2	36.2	0.8
Rendon, Anthony 3258	3b	dc nl	4.5	5.5	11.0	11.0	3.5
Buchholz, Clay 2363	pi sp	bos al	4.0	10.0	38.2	57.9	-2.0
Stripling, Ross 3629	pi sp	lad nl	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.7
Madson, Ryan 1841	pi cp	oak al	3.0	3.0	6.0	23.7	3.0
Molina, Yadier 1967	ca ph	stl nl	2.5	3.5	16.2	33.2	1.5
Morgan, Adam 3572	pi sp	phi nl	2.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	1.0
Austin, Tyler 3732	1b	nyy al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Hoyt, James 3731	pi mr	hou al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Rockies' Chad Bettis tops players for Monday, Sept. 5; Orioles' Jimenez tops AL players

Shawn Plank September 6, 2016

Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis is Monday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Bettis pitched a complete-game, two-hit shutout, striking out seven and walking none, in the 6-0 win over the Giants.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 5:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

American League Player of the Day—Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a complete game, allowing three runs, two hits, one walk and striking out six, in the 7-3 win over the Rays.

American League Batter of the Day—Eric Hosmer of the Royals hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-3, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 11-5 win over the Twins.

National League Batter of the Day—Chris Coghlan of the Cubs hit the go-ahead, seventh-inning pinch-hit single and went 2-for-2, scoring once and driving in three runs, in the 7-2 win over the Brewers.

Notable—Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has the most season Box-Toppers points among the 15 who earned Player of the Game honors Monday.

Verlander (7IP 8H 2R BB 11K ND in the 5-3, 11-inning win over the White Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 11.0 for the season. He ranks 27th among all players and 10th among AL pitchers.

Verander also now has 135.6 career Box-Toppers points, 29th-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He trails 28th-ranked player, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester (138.2).

Also notable—For the sixth time this season, a pitcher has earned Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors for batting and Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals, who did it Monday, has now done it twice in 2016.

Wainwright (2B 2-3 R 3BI in the 12-6 win over the Pirates) was also Player of the Game for batting May 2. It is the fourth time in his career Wainwright has earned Player of the Game honors for batting. He also did it July 24, 2012 and Sept. 18, 2013.

Wainwright also picked up the win in the game (5IP 7H 4R BB 5K W). His Box-Toppers game score for pitching was −6.0. His Box-Toppers game score for batting was +3.0, best of all Cardinals players Monday.

Wainwright earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 111.0 career points. He rises to 53rd place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began, passing Tom Glavine (110.6) on the “all-time” list and now trails 52nd-ranked player Adrian Beltre of the Rangers (111.3). Wainwright has 9.2 Box-Toppers points on the season, 20th among NL pitchers.

Debut—Trea Turner of the Nationals made his Box-Toppers debut Monday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Turner (HR 2B 3-4 R 3BI in the 6-4 win over the Braves) made his Major League debut Aug. 21, 2015, and was playing in his 75th career game. He is the 3,730th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Bettis earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Jimenez earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Hosmer and Coghlan each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Monday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/5
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    14.0
    COL 6, SF 0
    Chad Bettis (W,12-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    2
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    
    12.0
    SD 2, BOS 1
    Edwin Jackson (W,4-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    0
    0
    2
    11
  

    
    8.1
    LAD 10, ARI 2
    Kenta Maeda (W,14-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    3
    1
    1
    1
    8
  

    AL
    6.0
    BAL 7, TB 3
    Ubaldo Jimenez (W,6-11)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    2
    3
    3
    1
    6
  

    BAT
    5.0
    KC 11, MIN 5
    Eric Hosmer, 1B
    3
    2
    2
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    `DET 5, CHW 3 (11)
    Justin Verlander
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    8
    2
    2
    1
    11
  

    
    4.0
    SEA 14, TEX 6
    Franklin Gutierrez, RF
    4
    1
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    4.0
    CHC 7, MIL 2
    Chris Coghlan, PH-RF
    2
    1
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    NYY 5, TOR 3
    Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
    4
    1
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    WSH 6, ATL 4
    Trea Turner, 2B
    4
    1
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    NYM 5, CIN 0
    Matt Reynolds, SS
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    STL 12, PIT 6
    Adam Wainwright, P
    3
    1
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    LAA 10, OAK 7
    Andrew Bailey (S,2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    PHI 6, MIA 2
    Peter Bourjos, RF
    4
    2
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    HOU 6, CLE 2
    Alex Bregman, 3B
    4
    2
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Verlander, Justin 2112	pi sp	det al	11.0	17.4	80.6	135.6	4.6
Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	9.2	12.2	60.3	111.0	6.2
Maeda, Kenta 3609	pi sp	lad nl	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0
Hosmer, Eric 2886	1b	kc al	7.5	16.5	30.0	30.0	-1.5
Bettis, Chad 3481	pi sp	col nl	5.7	11.1	11.1	11.1	0.3
Gutierrez, Franklin 2242	rf	sea al	3.5	4.5	8.5	23.5	2.5
Jackson, Edwin 1812	pi sp	sd nl	3.0	3.0	22.0	43.8	3.0
Jimenez, Ubaldo 2349	pi sp	bal al	2.7	11.4	39.6	77.5	-6.0
Coghlan, Chris 2610	3b rf ph	chi nl	2.5	3.5	10.0	16.5	1.5
Bregman, Alex 3721	3b	hou al	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Reynolds, Matt 3650	ss ph	nym nl	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Ellsbury, Jacoby 2365	cf	nyy al	1.0	4.0	23.0	30.0	-2.0
Bourjos, Peter 2790	rf	phi nl	1.0	2.0	12.5	13.5	0.0
Bailey, Andrew 2549	pi cp	ana al	1.0	1.0	5.0	18.0	1.0
Turner, Trea 3730	2b	dc nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Indians' Danny Salazar tops players for Sunday, Sept. 4; Braves' Teheran tops NL players

Shawn Plank September 5, 2016

Indians pitcher Danny Salazar is Sunday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 4:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Salazar struck out 11 over 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run, six hits and two walks, in the 6-5 win over the Marlins. Salazar did not earn the win, picking up a no-decision, because he exited the game with the Indians trailing, 1-0.

Salazar earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 12.5 for the season. He ranks 14th among all players and fourth among American League pitchers.

National League Player of the Day—Braves pitcher Julio Teheran pitched six scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing five hits and two walks, in the 2-0 win over the Phillies.

American League Batter of the Day—Jose Abreu of the White Sox hit a pair of three-run homers in the 13-11, 12-inning win over the Twins. Abreu went 3-for-7, driving in seven total runs.

Abreu earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, his first points of the 2016 season. Abreu led AL batters in Box-Toppers points in his rookie year of 2014 with 15.5 and had 3.0 points in 2015.

National League Batter of the Day—Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers hit a three-run homer and went 1-for-2, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 7-4 win over the Padres.

Puig earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day and has 2.5 points for the season. It is his first Player of the Game honor since being called back up after spending a month in the minors. Puig, despite his star status, has only 8.5 career Box-Toppers points over four seasons—1.5 in 2013, 1.0 in 2014, 3.5 in 2015 and 2.5 in 2016.

Notable—Cubs pitcher John Lackey has the most season Box-Toppers points among the 15 who earned Player of the Game honors Sunday.

Lackey (5IP H 2R BB 4K ND in the 3-2, 13-inning win over the Giants) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 13.4 for the season. He ranks 11th among all players and ninth among NL pitchers. He is the third Cubs starting pitcher among Box-Toppers top 10 NL pitchers—Jon Lester (17.1) ranks fourth and Jake Arrieta (13.7) ranks eighth.

Lackey now has 121.1 career Box-Toppers points, 39th-most among all players since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He trails 38th-ranked player Gary Sheffield (124.1).

Also notable—Albert Pujols of the Angels extends his lead in career Box-Toppers points among active batters after earning Player of the Game honors Sunday.

Pujols (HR 3-4 R 2BI in the 4-2 win over the Mariners) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 182.3 career points. It is the first point Pujols has earned since becoming the active career leader in points after the Yankees released previous leader Alex Rodriguez (187.0) on Aug. 13. Pujols ranks sixth among all players since 1995 when Box-Toppers tracking began and trails fifth-ranked player, Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia (183.0) by only 0.7 points. Sabathia is the active career leader in points. (See the updated list of top 20 players in career Box-Toppers points on the home page.)

Pujols has 8.0 Box-Toppers points on the season, his best year since 2011 when he had 12.5 points with the Cardinals. Pujols ranks 11th among AL batters this season.

Debut—Mets pitcher Seth Lugo made his Box-Toppers debut Sunday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Lugo (7IP 6H R 0BB 4K W in the 5-1 win over the Nationals) made his Major League debut July 1 and was playing in his 13th career game. He is the 3,729th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Salazar earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Teheran earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Abreu and Puig each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/4
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    6.2
    `CLE 6, MIA 5
    Danny Salazar
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.2
    6
    1
    1
    2
    11
  

    NL
    6.0
    ATL 2, PHI 0
    Julio Teheran (W,5-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    0
    0
    2
    7
  

    
    5.1
    `OAK 1, BOS 0
    Kendall Graveman
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    6
    0
    0
    2
    7
  

    BAT
    5.0
    CHW 13, MIN 11 (12)
    Jose Abreu, 1B
    7
    2
    3
    7
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    5.0
    LAD 7, SD 4
    Yasiel Puig, RF
    2
    3
    1
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    MIL 10, PIT 0
    Jonathan Villar, PH
    1
    1
    1
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    `CHC 3, SF 2 (13)
    John Lackey
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    1
    2
    1
    1
    4
  

    
    3.1
    NYY 5, BAL 2
    Dellin Betances (S,8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    NYM 5, WSH 1
    Seth Lugo (W,3-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    6
    1
    1
    0
    4
  

    
    3.0
    TOR 5, TB 3
    Joaquin Benoit (W,3-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    2.2
    HOU 7, TEX 6
    Chris Devenski (W,3-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.2
    1
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    LAA 4, SEA 2
    Albert Pujols, DH
    4
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    DET 6, KC 5
    Justin Upton, LF
    4
    1
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    STL 5, CIN 2
    Seung Hwan Oh (S,15)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    1.0
    ARI 8, COL 5
    Jean Segura, 2B
    4
    2
    3
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	chi nl	13.4	23.1	42.8	121.2	3.7
Salazar, Danny 3223	pi sp	cle al	12.5	25.9	35.3	35.3	-0.9
Teheran, Julio 3176	pi sp	atl nl	8.7	16.4	44.5	44.5	1.0
Pujols, Albert 1438	dh 1b	ana al	8.0	15.0	45.0	182.3	1.0
Upton, Justin 2411	lf	det al	6.7	15.7	42.6	51.1	-2.3
Graveman, Kendall 3444	pi sp	oak al	6.0	10.7	10.7	10.7	1.3
Oh, Seung Hwan 3693	pi cp	stl nl	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
Betances, Dellin 3333	pi mr cp	nyy al	4.0	8.0	12.7	12.7	0.0
Segura, Jean 3173	2b	ari nl	3.0	5.0	9.5	9.5	1.0
Villar, Jonathan 3233	ss ph	mil nl	3.0	3.0	5.0	5.0	3.0
Devenski, Chris 3702	pi sp	hou nl	2.7	2.7	2.7	2.7	2.7
Puig, Yasiel 3193	rf	lad nl	2.5	6.0	8.5	8.5	-1.0
Abreu, Jose 3308	1b	chi al	1.5	4.5	20.0	20.0	-1.5
Benoit, Joaquin 1663	pi mr	tor al	1.0	3.0	9.0	29.5	-1.0
Lugo, Seth 3729	pi sp	nym nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Dodgers' Rich Hill tops players for Saturday, Sept. 3; Orioles' Gausman tops AL players

Shawn Plank September 4, 2016

Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill is Saturday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Hill pitched six scoreless innings, allowing one hit, two walks and striking out eight, in the 5-1 win over the Padres.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 3:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Hill earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 12.4 for the season. He ranks 18th among all players and 11th among National League pitchers.

American League Player of the Day—Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings, striking out eight and allowing two hits and two walks, in the 2-0 win over the Yankees.

National League Batter of the Day—Chris Carter of the Brewers hit a two-run homer and went 4-for-5, scoring twice and driving in three runs, in the 7-4 win over the Pirates.

American League Batter of the Day—Byron Buxton of the Twins homered and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in two runs, in the 11-3 win over the White Sox.

Notable—Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner has the most season Box-Toppers points among the 15 who earned Player of the Game honors Saturday.

Bumgarner (6IP 5H 2R 0BB 10K in the 3-2 win over the Cubs) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 13.0 for the season. He ranks 11th among all players and ninth among NL pitchers.

Bumgarner now also has 105.7 career points, 61st-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. With his point Saturday, he passes Dodgers pitcher Scott Kazmir (105.1) on the “all-time” list and now trails 60th-ranked player Aramis Ramirez (105.8).

Also notable—Two other players with more than 100 career Box-Toppers points earned Player of the Game honors Saturday:

David Ortiz of the Red Sox (2-2B 3-4 R 2BI in the 11-2 win over the Athletics) now has 143.9 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 24th place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his point Saturday, he passes Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels (143.0) on the “all-time” list and now ranks eighth among active players in career points. Ortiz trails 23rd-ranked player Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers. Both Cabrera and Ortiz have 143.9 career points, but Cabrera holds the tiebreaking edge because he has more 2016 Box-Toppers points—11.0 vs. 6.0.
Carlos Beltran of the Rangers (2B 2-3 R 2BI in the 12-4 win over the Astros) now has 104.9 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 63rd place since 1995 when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his point Saturday, he passes Jamie Moyer (104.0) on the “all-time” list and now trails 62nd-ranked player, Dodgers pitcher Scott Kazmir (105.1). Beltran has 6.0 Box-Toppers points on the season.

Scoring—Hill earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Gausman earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Carter and Buxton each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Saturday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/3
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    11.0
    LAD 5, SD 1
    Rich Hill (W,11-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    1
    0
    0
    2
    8
  

    AL
    10.0
    BAL 2, NYY 0
    Kevin Gausman (W,7-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    8
  

    
    7.0
    SF 3, CHC 2
    Madison Bumgarner (W,14-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    2
    2
    0
    10
  

    
    7.0
    TB 7, TOR 5
    Blake Snell (W,5-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    1
    1
    2
    7
  

    BAT
    4.0
    MIL 7, PIT 4
    Chris Carter, 1B
    5
    2
    4
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    ATL 6, PHI 4 (10)
    Adonis Garcia, 3B
    4
    3
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    3.0
    MIN 11, CHW 3
    Byron Buxton, CF
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    LAA 10, SEA 3
    Kole Calhoun, RF
    4
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    NYM 3, WSH 1
    Jeurys Familia (S,45)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.2
    KC 5, DET 2
    Wade Davis (S,22)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    0.2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    CLE 8, MIA 3
    Francisco Lindor, SS
    4
    1
    4
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    ARI 9, COL 4
    Chris Owings, SS
    4
    1
    4
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    BOS 11, OAK 2
    David Ortiz, DH
    4
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    TEX 12, HOU 4
    Carlos Beltran, DH
    3
    1
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    CIN 9, STL 1
    Joey Votto, 1B
    2
    2
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Bumgarner, Madison 2753	pi sp	sf nl	13.0	30.0	100.0	105.7	-4.0
Hill, Rich 2215	pi sp	lad nl	12.4	16.4	16.4	36.1	8.4
Votto, Joey 2366	1b	cin nl	9.5	14.5	31.2	63.2	4.5
Gausman, Kevin 3191	pi sp	bal al	9.1	14.8	22.5	22.5	3.4
Carter, Chris 2828	1b	mil nl	8.5	9.5	27.4	28.4	7.5
Familia, Jeurys 3446	pi cp	nym nl	6.0	14.0	14.0	14.0	-2.0
Ortiz, David	dh	bos al	6.0	10.5	41.9	143.9	1.5
Beltran, Carlos 1194	dh rf	tex al	6.0	9.5	26.9	104.9	2.5
Calhoun, Kole 3279	rf	ana al	5.0	8.2	15.7	15.7	1.8
Lindor, Francisco 3586	ss	cle al	4.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	3.5
Buxton, Byron 3604	cf	min al	3.2	4.2	4.2	4.2	2.2
Davis, Wade 2681	pi cp	kc al	3.0	7.0	22.0	25.0	-1.0
Garcia, Adonis 3613	3b	atl nl	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Snell, Blake 3688	pi sp	tb al	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Owings, Chris 3347	cf ss	ari nl	2.0	3.0	5.5	5.5	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Indians' Carlos Carrasco tops players for Friday, Sept. 2; Cubs' Lester rises to 5th in Box-Toppers player rankings

Shawn Plank September 3, 2016

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco is Friday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Also Friday, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester rises to fifth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning National League Player of the Day honors.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 2:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Player of the Day—Carrasco pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out 11 and allowing six hits and one walk, in the 6-2 win over the Marlins.

Carrasco earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 12.4 for the season. He ranks 14th among all players and fifth among AL pitchers.

National League Player of the Day—Cubs pitcher Jon Lester pitched a complete game, allowing one run, three hits, two walks and striking out four, in the 2-1 win over the Giants.

Lester earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 17.1 for the season, rising from sixth to fifth in Box-Toppers season player rankings. He ranks fourth among NL pitchers.

Lester also now has 138.2 career Box-Toppers points, 28th-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He trails 27th-ranked player Andy Pettitte (138.5).

American League Batter of the Day—Travis Shaw of the Red Sox hit a three-run homer and two doubles in the 16-2 win over the Athletics. Shaw went 3-for-6, scoring twice and driving in five runs.

National League Batter of the Day—Matt Kemp of the Braves hit a three-run homer and went 3-for-5, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 8-4 win over the Phillies.

Notable—Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers now has 11.0 Box-Toppers points on the season after earning Player of the Game honors Friday.

Cabrera (HR 3-5 2R 4BI in the 7-6 win over the Royals) now ranks 25th in Box-Toppers season player rankings, third among AL batters, behind Jose Altuve of the Astros (12.5) and Manny Machado of the Orioles (11.7).

Cabrera also rises to 23rd place in career Box-Toppers points among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. He now has 143.9 career points, passing Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels (143.0) on the “all-time” list and now trails 22nd-ranked player Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon (145.8). Cabrera rises to seventh place among active players in career Box-Toppers points.

Debut—Two players made their Box-Toppers debut Friday, the first time in their careers they earned Player of the Game honors:

Nationals pitcher A.J. Cole (6IP 3H R 2BB 5K in the 4-1 win over the Mets) made his Major League debut April 28, 2015, and was playing in his sixth career game. He is the 3,727th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.
Brewers pitcher Jhan Marinez (1IP 0H 0R 0BB K ND in the 1-0 win over the Pirates) made his Major League debut July 16, 2010, and was playing in his 40th career game. He is the 3,728th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Carrasco earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Lester earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day. Shaw and Kemp each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Friday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/2
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    11.1
    CLE 6, MIA 2
    Carlos Carrasco (W,10-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.1
    6
    0
    0
    1
    11
  

    NL
    6.0
    CHC 2, SF 1
    Jon Lester (W,15-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    3
    1
    1
    2
    4
  

    
    4.2
    BAL 8, NYY 0
    Dylan Bundy (W,8-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.2
    2
    0
    0
    4
    5
  

    
    4.2
    SD 4, LAD 2
    Brad Hand (W,4-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.2
    1
    0
    0
    0
    4
  

    BAT
    4.0
    BOS 16, OAK 2
    Travis Shaw, 3B-1B
    6
    2
    3
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    CHW 11, MIN 4
    Adam Eaton, CF
    5
    4
    4
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    4.0
    ATL 8, PHI 4
    Matt Kemp, LF
    5
    2
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    DET 7, KC 6
    Miguel Cabrera, 1B
    5
    2
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    COL 14, ARI 7
    Nick Hundley, C
    4
    2
    2
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    WSH 4, NYM 1
    A.J. Cole (W,1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    1
    1
    2
    5
  

    
    3.0
    TB 8, TOR 3
    Logan Morrison, DH
    2
    2
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    SEA 11, LAA 8
    Dae-Ho Lee, 1B
    5
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    TEX 10, HOU 8
    Elvis Andrus, SS
    3
    1
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    `MIL 1, PIT 0
    Jhan Marinez (H,2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    1.0
    CIN 3, STL 2
    Zack Cozart, SS
    2
    2
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	17.1	29.1	75.3	138.2	5.1
Carrasco, Carlos 2885	pi sp	cle al	12.4	30.4	46.5	46.5	-5.6
Cabrera, Miguel 1776	1b	det al	11.0	15.7	64.3	143.9	6.3
Lee, Dae-Ho 3627	1b	sea al	7.7	7.7	7.7	7.7	7.7
Shaw, Travis 3544	1b 3b	bos al	7.0	11.2	11.2	11.2	2.8
Andrus, Elvis 2582	ss	tex al	6.7	6.7	14.2	17.2	6.7
Kemp, Matt 2151	rf lf	atl nl	5.5	11.0	35.5	57.1	0.0
Bundy, Dylan 3655	pi sp	bal al	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
Eaton, Adam 3253	rf cf	chi al	4.0	9.5	12.0	12.0	-1.5
Hand, Brad 2907	pi mr	sd nl	4.0	5.0	9.0	9.0	3.0
Morrison, Logan 2794	1b dh	tb al	2.0	6.0	16.0	17.5	-2.0
Cozart, Zack 3012	ss	cin nl	2.0	5.0	11.0	11.0	-1.0
Hundley, Nick 2497	ca	col nl	1.0	4.5	17.0	22.5	-2.5
Cole, A.J. 3727	pi sp	dc nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Marinez, Jhan 3728	pi mr	mil nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Nationals' Max Scherzer extends lead in Box-Toppers player rankings

Shawn Plank September 2, 2016

Scherzer leads for 2nd week after passing Kershaw last week. Kluber leads AL pitchers, Altuve leads AL batters, Bryant leads NL batters.

Chicago Cubs maintain lead in Box-Toppers team rankings, Red Sox lead AL teams

Shawn Plank September 2, 2016

Cubs remain on top in Box-Toppers team rankings, Red Sox rank first among AL teams, Mets are the week's hottest team.

Marlins' Christian Yelich tops players for Thursday, Sept. 1; Twins' Buxton tops AL players

Shawn Plank September 2, 2016

Christian Yelich of the Marlins is Thursday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Sept. 1:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
6	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Yelich hit a three-run homer and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 6-4 win over the Mets.

American League Player of the Day—Byron Buxton of the Twins hit a three-run homer in the 8-5 win over the White Sox. Buxton went 1-for-3.

Batters of the Day—There are no separate National League and American League Batters of the Day Thursday because the overall Player of the Day was NL batter Christian Yelich and the overall AL Player of the Day was AL batter Byron Buxton.

Notable—Freddie Freeman of the Braves had the most season Box-Toppers points of the four who earned Player of the Game honors Thursday—only four games were played.

Freeman (HR 1-3 2R 3BI in the 9-6 win over the Padres) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 6.0 for the season. He ranks 114th among all players and 16th among NL batters.

Scoring—Yelich earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Buxton earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. All of Thursday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/1
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    5.0
    MIA 6, NYM 4
    Christian Yelich, CF
    4
    2
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    CHC 5, SF 4
    Joe Smith (W,2-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    3.0
    ATL 9, SD 6
    Freddie Freeman, 1B
    3
    2
    1
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    AL
    2.0
    MIN 8, CHW 5
    Byron Buxton, CF
    3
    1
    1
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Freeman, Freddie 2887	1b	atl nl	6.0	9.0	37.2	37.2	3.0
Yelich, Christian 3334	lf cf	fla nl	4.5	7.0	14.5	14.5	2.0
Smith, Joe 2388	pi cp mr	chi nl	2.0	5.0	13.0	14.0	-1.0
Buxton, Byron 3604	cf	min al	1.7	2.7	2.7	2.7	0.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Angels' Ricky Nolasco tops players for Wednesday, Aug. 31; Indians' Kluber extends Box-Toppers points lead among AL pitchers

Shawn Plank September 1, 2016

Angels pitcher Ricky Nolasco is Wednesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Aug. 31:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2
5	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
6	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Wednesday, Indians pitcher Corey Kluber extends his Box-Toppers points lead among American League pitchers after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—Nolasco pitched a complete-game, four-hit shutout, striking out seven and walking none, in the 3-0 win over the Reds.

National League Player of the Day—Brewers pitcher Matt Garza struck out eight over seven innings, allowing one run, three hits and two walks, in the 3-1 win over the Cardinals.

American League Batter of the Day—Rougned Odor of the Rangers hit two home runs and went 3-for-5, scoring twice and driving in five runs, in the 14-1 win over the Mariners.

National League Batter of the Day—Andrew Toles of the Dodgers hit a ninth-inning, go-ahead grand slam in the 10-8 win over the Rockies. Toles also doubled and went 3-for-4, driving in five runs.

Rankings—Indians pitcher Corey Kluber extended his season Box-Toppers points lead among AL pitchers after earning Player of the Game honors Wednesday.

Kluber (8IP 6H 3R 2BB 11K W in the 8-4 win over the Twins) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 18.2 for the season, ahead of second-place AL pitcher Cole Hamels of the Rangers (16.8). Kluber maintains his rank of fourth place among all players. Kluber led AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points in 2014 with 25.8.

Notable—Two other players with 10 or more Box-Toppers points this season also earned Player of the Game honors Wednesday:

Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel (6IP 3H R 3BB 6K W in the 6-5 win over the Pirates) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 12.0 for the season. He ranks 18th among all players and 12th among NL pitchers.
Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (7IP 3H 2R 0BB 9K ND in the 3-2 win over the White Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.0 for the season. He ranks 33rd among all players and 13th among AL pitchers. He becomes the 34th player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points. This is his eighth season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points, his first since 2013 (10.0). In 2014, he had 4.0 points and in 2015 he had 6.4. Verlander led AL pitchers in both 2011 (24.4) and 2012 (24.8).

Verlander now has 134.6 career Box-Toppers points, 29th-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He trails 28th-ranked player, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester (136.5).

Scoring—Nolasco earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Garza earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day. Odor and Toles each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Wednesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/31
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    12.0
    LAA 3, CIN 0
    Ricky Nolasco (W,5-12)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    4
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    
    9.0
    `DET 3, CHW 2
    Justin Verlander
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    2
    2
    0
    9
  

    NL
    8.0
    MIL 3, STL 1
    Matt Garza (W,5-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    1
    1
    2
    8
  

    
    7.0
    ATL 8, SD 1
    Matt Wisler (W,6-11)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    1
    1
    3
    10
  

    BAT
    5.0
    TEX 14, SEA 1
    Rougned Odor, 2B
    5
    2
    3
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    5.0
    LAD 10, COL 8
    Andrew Toles, LF
    4
    1
    3
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    CLE 8, MIN 4
    Corey Kluber (W,15-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    6
    3
    3
    2
    11
  

    
    5.0
    WSH 2, PHI 1
    Gio Gonzalez (W,10-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    1
    1
    1
    4
  

    
    4.1
    SF 4, ARI 2
    Matt Moore (W,9-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.1
    5
    1
    1
    1
    7
  

    
    4.0
    BOS 8, TB 6
    Hanley Ramirez, 1B
    3
    2
    1
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    CHC 6, PIT 5
    Jason Hammel (W,14-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    1
    1
    3
    6
  

    
    4.0
    HOU 4, OAK 3
    Michael Feliz (W,8-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    4.0
    `NYY 5, KC 4 (13)
    Chasen Shreve
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    3
  

    
    3.1
    COL 7, LAD 0
    Tyler Anderson (W,5-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    6
    0
    0
    2
    5
  

    
    2.0
    TOR 5, BAL 3
    Michael Saunders, LF
    2
    2
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    NYM 5, MIA 2
    Addison Reed (W,4-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    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.
  

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	18.2	31.6	62.4	62.4	4.8
Hammel, Jason 2235	pi sp	chi nl	12.0	21.7	45.1	58.2	2.3
Verlander, Justin 2112	pi sp	det al	10.0	16.4	79.6	134.6	3.6
Moore, Matt 2975	pi sp	sf nl	8.7	8.7	34.2	34.2	8.7
Nolasco, Ricky 2125	pi sp	ana al	7.7	9.7	30.4	83.5	5.7
Ramirez, Hanley 2119	1b	bos al	6.0	6.0	28.7	56.6	6.0
Odor, Rougned 3336	2b	tex al	5.5	8.5	10.0	10.0	2.5
Saunders, Michael 2768	lf	tor al	5.2	5.2	14.9	15.9	5.2
Gonzalez, Gio 2626	pi sp	dc nl	5.0	14.7	71.8	85.5	-4.7
Wisler, Matt 3522	pi sp	atl nl	4.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	1.0
Toles, Andrew 3692	rf lf cf ph	lad nl	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
Feliz, Michael 3632	pi cp mr	hou al	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.7
Garza, Matt 2343	pi sp	mil nl	2.7	4.4	34.1	70.8	1.0
Reed, Addison 3023	pi mr	nym nl	2.0	3.0	11.0	11.0	1.0
Anderson, Tyler 3656	pi sp	col nl	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Shreve, Chasen 3482	pi mr	nyy al	1.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	-1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Nationals' Max Scherzer tops players for Tuesday, Aug. 30, extending his season Box-Toppers points lead

Shawn Plank August 31, 2016

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is Tuesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day and extends his lead in season player rankings.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Aug. 30:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	17.2
5	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
6	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Scherzer struck out 11 over eight innings, allowing two runs, three hits and one walk, in the 3-2 win over the Phillies.

Scherzer earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 22.7 for the season. Scherzer took the Box-Toppers points lead in his last start Aug. 25, passing previous leader Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (20.0 Box-Toppers points).

Scherzer’s 22.7 points is now his single-season career high, passing his 2014 point total of 22.1 he earned with the Tigers.

Scherzer also now has 128.7 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 32nd place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his points Tuesday, he passes three players on the “all-time” list—Roy Oswalt (127.2), A.J. Burnett (127.8) and Vladimir Guerrero (128.3). Scherzer now trails 31st-ranked player Trevor Hoffman (129.4).

American League Player of the Day—Astros pitcher Collin McHugh pitched six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, one walk and striking out five, in the 3-1 win over the Athletics.

National League Batter of the Day—Curtis Granderson of the Mets hit two homers and went 2-for-2, driving in three runs, in the 7-4 win over the Marlins.

American League Batter of the Day—Adrian Beltre of the Rangers homered and went 3-for-5, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 8-7 win over the Mariners.

Beltre earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 111.3 career points, rising to 52nd place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his points Tuesday, he passes Tom Glavine (110.6) on the “all-time” list and now trails 51st-ranked player Kevin Brown (112.8).

Beltre has 9.5 Box-Toppers points on the season, fifth among AL batters.

Notable—Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright now has 110.0 career Box-Toppers points—54th-most among players since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995—after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday.

Wainwright (7IP 3H R 0BB 7K ND in the 3-1, 10-inning win over the Brewers) passes Jeff Kent (109.7) on the “all-time” list and now trails 53rd-ranked player Tom Glavine (110.6).

Wainwright has 8.2 Box-Toppers points on the season, 21st among NL pitchers.

Also notable—Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks has 11.7 Box-Toppers points on the season after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday.

Hendricks (7IP 3H 0R BB 4K W in the 3-0 win over the Pirates) ranks 18th among all players and 12th among NL pitchers.

Debut—Rays pitcher Enny Romero made his Box-Toppers debut Tuesday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Romero (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K W in the 4-3 win over the Red Sox) made his Major League debut Sept. 22, 2013, and was playing in his 68th career game. He is the 3,726th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Scherzer earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and McHugh earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Granderson and Beltre each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Tuesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/30
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    11.0
    WSH 3, PHI 2
    Max Scherzer (W,15-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    3
    2
    2
    1
    11
  

    
    9.0
    `STL 2, MIL 1 (10)
    Adam Wainwright
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    1
    1
    0
    7
  

    
    7.0
    CHC 3, PIT 0
    Kyle Hendricks (W,13-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    AL
    6.0
    HOU 3, OAK 1
    Collin McHugh (W,9-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    0
    0
    1
    5
  

    
    5.2
    CLE 5, MIN 4
    Dan Otero (W,4-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    BAT
    5.0
    NYM 7, MIA 4
    Curtis Granderson, PH-RF
    2
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    ATL 7, SD 3
    Julio Teheran (W,4-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    6
    2
    2
    0
    8
  

    BAT
    4.0
    TEX 8, SEA 7
    Adrian Beltre, 3B
    5
    3
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    NYY 5, KC 4 (10)
    Dellin Betances (W,3-4; BS,4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    LAA 4, CIN 2
    C.J. Cron, 1B
    4
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    DET 8, CHW 4
    J.D. Martinez, RF
    3
    2
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    TB 4, BOS 3
    Enny Romero (W,2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.1
    BAL 5, TOR 3
    Brad Brach (W,8-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    1
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    0.0
    ARI 4, SF 3
    Welington Castillo, C
    4
    0
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	22.7	43.7	108.3	128.7	1.7
Hendricks, Kyle 3386	pi sp	chi nl	11.7	21.4	26.4	26.4	2.0
Beltre, Adrian 1141	3b	tex al	9.5	22.0	47.9	111.3	-3.0
Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	8.2	11.2	59.3	110.0	5.2
Teheran, Julio 3176	pi sp	atl nl	7.0	14.7	42.8	42.8	-0.7
McHugh, Collin 3316	pi sp	hou al	6.7	16.4	28.2	28.2	-3.0
Castillo, Wellington 3251	ca	ari nl	5.0	8.5	11.5	11.5	1.5
Martinez, J.D. 2922	rf	det al	4.5	6.2	16.2	16.2	2.8
Cron, C.J. 3338	1b dh	ana al	3.7	9.7	10.7	10.7	-2.3
Betances, Dellin 3333	pi mr cp	nyy al	3.0	7.0	11.7	11.7	-1.0
Granderson, Curtis 2051	rf ph	nym nl	3.0	7.0	31.9	64.3	-1.0
Brach, Brad 3374	pi mr	bal al	3.0	6.0	7.0	7.0	0.0
Otero, Dan 3365	pi mr	cle al	3.0	4.7	5.7	5.7	1.3
Romero, Enny 3726	pi mr	tb al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Cardinals' Carlos Martinez top players for Monday, Aug. 29; Astros' Musgrove tops AL players

Shawn Plank August 30, 2016

Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is Monday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Aug. 29:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	20.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	17.2
5	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
6	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Martinez struck out 13 over six innings, allowing one run, four hits and two walks, in the 6-5 win over the Brewers. Martinez did not earn the win, picking up a no decision, because after he exited, the Brewers went ahead before the Cardinals came back to take the lead in the ninth inning.

American League Player of the Day—Astros pitcher Joe Musgrove pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing three hits and three walks, in the 6-0 win over the Athletics.

American League Batter of the Day—Mike Trout of the Angels homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in two runs, in the 9-2 win over the Reds.

Trout earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 10.0 points for the season. He becomes the 33rd player—and fifth batter—this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points. He ranks 32nd among all players and third among AL batters, behind Jose Altuve of the Astros (12.5) and Manny Machado of the Orioles (11.7). This is Trout’s second straight 10-point season, his third overall.

Trout had a Box-Toppers game score Monday of +3.0 and had an identical line score (HR 2B 3-4 2R 2BI) with teammate C.J. Cron. But Trout won Player of the Game honors on a tiebreaker because he had one walk and Cron had none.

National League Batter of the Day—Jorge Soler of the Cubs homered, doubled and went 3-for-5, driving in two runs, in the 8-7, 13-inning win over the Pirates.

Notable—Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer has the most season Box-Toppers points of any of the 13 who earned Player of the Game honors Monday.

Bauer (6IP 5H 0R BB 4K ND in the 1-0, 10-inning win over the Twins) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 11.4 for the season. He ranks 19th among all players and sixth among AL pitchers.

Also notable—Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark became the 32nd player this season to reach 10 Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors Monday.

Roark (7IP 4H 0R BB 5K W in the 4-0 win over the Phillies) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.7 for the season. He ranks 25th among all players and 15th among NL pitchers.

Additionally notable—Carlos Beltran of the Rangers now has 103.9 career Box-Toppers points—64th-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995—after earning Player of the Game honors Monday.

Beltran (HR 2B 3-4 2R 2BI in the 6-3 win over the Mariners) passes Red Sox pitcher David Price (103.2) on the “all-time” list and now trails 63rd-ranked player Jamie Moyer (104.0). Beltran has 5.0 Box-Toppers points on the season. This was his first Player of the Game honor since being traded from the Yankees.

Beltran had a Box-Toppers game score Monday of +3.0, tied with AL Batter of the Day Mike Trout. Both Beltran and Trout had identical line scores, but Trout won AL Batter of the Day honors on a tiebreaker because he had fewer strikeouts than Beltran—zero vs. one.

Debut—Mets pitcher Josh Smoker made his Box-Toppers debut Monday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Smoker (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K W in the 2-1, 10-inning win over the Marlins) made his Major League debut Aug. 19 and was playing in his seventh career game. He is the 3,725th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Martinez earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Musgrove earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Trout and Soler each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Monday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/29
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    11.0
    `STL 6, MIL 5
    Carlos Martinez
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    1
    1
    2
    13
  

    
    7.0
    WSH 4, PHI 0
    Tanner Roark (W,14-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    0
    0
    1
    5
  

    
    7.0
    COL 8, LAD 1
    Jon Gray (W,9-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    0
    0
    3
    8
  

    AL
    6.1
    HOU 6, OAK 0
    Joe Musgrove (W,2-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.1
    3
    0
    0
    3
    7
  

    
    4.0
    TOR 5, BAL 1
    Marco Estrada (W,8-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    1
    1
    1
    4
  

    
    4.0
    `CLE 1, MIN 0 (10)
    Trevor Bauer
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    BAT
    3.0
    LAA 9, CIN 2
    Mike Trout, CF
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    TEX 6, SEA 3
    Carlos Beltran, DH
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    KC 8, NYY 5
    Dillon Gee (W,6-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    1
    1
    1
    4
  

    
    3.0
    NYM 2, MIA 1 (10)
    Josh Smoker (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    BOS 9, TB 4
    Travis Shaw, 3B-1B
    4
    2
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    1.0
    CHC 8, PIT 7 (13)
    Jorge Soler, LF
    5
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    DET 4, CHW 3
    Francisco Rodriguez (S,37)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Bauer, Trevor 3065	pi sp	cle al	11.4	20.8	29.5	29.5	2.0
Roark, Tanner 3261	pi sp	dc nl	10.7	11.7	26.7	26.7	9.7
Trout, Mike 2949	cf	ana al	10.0	22.0	46.5	46.5	-2.0
Martinez, Carlos 3371	pi sp	stl nl	9.7	23.4	24.4	24.4	-4.0
Estrada, Marco 2847	pi sp	tor al	8.0	16.0	40.1	40.1	0.0
Shaw, Travis 3544	1b 3b	bos al	5.5	9.7	9.7	9.7	1.3
Beltran, Carlos 1194	dh rf	tex al	5.0	8.5	25.9	103.9	1.5
Gray, Jon 3634	pi sp	col nl	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
Gee, Dillon 2808	pi sp	kc al	4.7	5.7	32.5	33.5	3.7
Rodriguez, Francisco 1707	pi cp	det al	3.0	4.0	17.0	63.4	2.0
Musgrove, Joe 3705	pi sp	hou al	2.7	2.7	2.7	2.7	2.7
Soler, Jorge 3403	lf	chi nl	2.5	5.7	6.7	6.7	-0.7
Smoker, Josh 3725	pi cp	nym nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Orioles' Kevin Gausman tops players for Sunday, Aug. 28; Dodgers' Stewart tops NL players

Shawn Plank August 28, 2016

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman is Sunday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Aug. 28:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	20.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	17.2
5	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
6	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Gausman pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out nine and allowing seven hits and no walks, in the 5-0 win over the Yankees.

National League Batter of the Day—Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart pitched five scoreless innings, striking out eight and allowing two hits and two walks, in the 1-0 win over the Cubs. Stewart did not earn the win, picking up the no decision, because the game was in a scoreless tie when he exited.

This was Stewart’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors. Stewart made his Major League debut June 29 and was playing in his fourth career game. He is the 3,722nd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

American League Batter of the Day—Josh Donaldson of the Blue Jays hit three home runs and went 3-for-4, driving in four runs, in the 9-6 win over the Twins.

Donaldson earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 9.7 for the season, most among the 15 who earned Player of the Game honors Sunday. Donaldson ranks 34th among all players and fourth among AL batters.

National League Batter of the Day—Joe Panik of the Giants hit two home runs and went 3-for-4, driving in four runs, in the 13-4 win over the Braves.

Debut—Two other players made their Box-Toppers debut Sunday, the first time in their career they earned Player of the Game honors:

Athletics pitcher Andrew Triggs (6IP 4H 3R 0BB 8K W in the 7-4 win over the Cardinals) made his Major League debut April 25 and was playing in his 23rd career game. He is the 3,723rd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.
Royals pitcher Matt Strahm (2.2IP 0H 0R BB K W in the 10-4 over the Red Sox) made his Major League debut July 31, and was playing in his 10th career game. He is the 3,724th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Gausman earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Stewart earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day. Donaldson and Panik each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/28
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    9.0
    BAL 5, NYY 0
    Kevin Gausman (W,6-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    7
    0
    0
    0
    9
  

    NL
    9.0
    `LAD 1, CHC 0
    Brock Stewart
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    8
  

    
    8.0
    LAA 5, DET 0
    Tyler Skaggs (W,2-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    6
  

    BAT
    6.0
    TOR 9, MIN 6
    Josh Donaldson, 3B
    4
    3
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    5.0
    SF 13, ATL 4
    Joe Panik, 2B
    4
    2
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    TB 10, HOU 4
    Chris Archer (W,8-17)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    3
    3
    2
    10
  

    
    5.0
    TEX 2, CLE 1
    Derek Holland (W,6-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    1
    1
    0
    5
  

    
    5.0
    PIT 3, MIL 1
    Ivan Nova (W,11-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    1
    1
    0
    4
  

    
    4.0
    COL 5, WSH 3
    Nolan Arenado, 3B
    4
    1
    4
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    OAK 7, STL 4
    Andrew Triggs (W,1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    3
    3
    0
    8
  

    
    4.0
    CHW 4, SEA 1
    Carlos Rodon (W,5-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    1
    1
    1
    6
  

    
    4.0
    `PHI 5, NYM 1
    Vince Velasquez
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    5
    1
    1
    1
    7
  

    
    3.0
    ARI 11, CIN 2
    Welington Castillo, C
    3
    0
    2
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.2
    KC 10, BOS 4
    Matt Strahm (W,2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.2
    0
    0
    0
    1
    1
  

    
    1.0
    SD 3, MIA 1
    Ryan Schimpf, 2B
    3
    1
    2
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Donaldson, Josh 3144	3b	tor al	9.7	19.6	39.6	39.6	-0.2
Archer, Chris 3194	pi sp	tb al	9.0	25.0	49.1	49.1	-7.0
Arenado, Nolan 3306	3b	col nl	9.0	17.5	19.0	19.0	0.5
Velasquez, Vince 3611	pi sp	phi nl	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0
Gausman, Kevin 3191	pi sp	bal al	7.4	13.1	20.8	20.8	1.7
Panik, Joe 3401	2b	sf nl	5.5	9.5	10.5	10.5	1.5
Schimpf, Ryan 3686	2b	sd nl	5.2	5.2	5.2	5.2	5.2
Nova, Ivan 2796	pi sp	pit nl	5.0	6.0	27.1	28.1	4.0
Rodon, Carlos 3494	pi sp	chi al	4.0	12.1	12.1	12.1	-4.1
Castillo, Wellington 3251	ca	ari nl	4.0	7.5	10.5	10.5	0.5
Holland, Derek 2634	pi sp	tex al	4.0	6.7	38.8	45.8	1.3
Skaggs, Tyler 3183	pi sp	ana al	2.7	2.7	12.4	12.4	2.7
Stewart, Brock 3722	pi sp	lad nl	1.7	1.7	1.7	1.7	1.7
Triggs, Andrew 3723	pi sp	oak al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Strahm, Matt 3724	pi mr	kc al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Reds' Anthony DeSclafani tops players for Saturday, Aug. 27; Mets' Syndergaard rises to 9th in Box-Toppers rankings

Shawn Plank August 28, 2016

Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani is Saturday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Aug. 27:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	20.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	17.2
5	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
6	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Saturday, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard rises to ninth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—DeSclafani pitched a complete-game, four-hit shutout, striking out nine and walking one, in the 13-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

American League Player of the Day—White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana struck out eight over 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, five hits and one walk, in the 9-3 win over the Mariners.

American League Batter of the Day—Starlin Castro of the Yankees homered and went 4-for-6, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 13-5 win over the Orioles.

National League Batter of the Day—Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies hit two homers and went 3-for-6, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 9-4, 11-inning win over the Nationals.

Rankings—Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard rises to ninth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Saturday.

Syndergaard (7IP 2H R 2BB 7K W in the 12-1 win over the Phillies) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 14.0 for the season, rising from 10th to ninth place for the season. He ranks seventh among NL pitchers.

Debut—Two players made their Box-Toppers debut Saturday, the first time in their careers they earned Player of the Game honors:

Athletics pitcher Daniel Coulombe (1.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K W in the 3-2 win over the Cardinals) made his Major League debut Sept. 16, 2014, and was playing in his 43rd career game. He is the 3,720th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.
Alex Bregman of the Astros (HR 2-4 2R 3BI in the 6-2 win over the Rays) made his Major League debut July 25 and was playing in his 30th career game. He is the 3,721st player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—DeSclafani earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Quintana earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Castro and Blackmon each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Saturday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/27
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    13.0
    CIN 13, ARI 0
    Anthony DeSclafani (W,8-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    4
    0
    0
    1
    9
  

    
    8.0
    NYM 12, PHI 1
    Noah Syndergaard (W,12-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    2
    1
    1
    2
    7
  

    
    7.0
    `PIT 9, MIL 6
    Juan Nicasio (H,4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    3.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    5
  

    AL
    6.2
    CHW 9, SEA 3
    Jose Quintana (W,11-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.2
    5
    2
    1
    1
    8
  

    
    6.0
    TEX 7, CLE 0
    A.J. Griffin (W,6-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    0
    0
    1
    6
  

    
    5.2
    ATL 3, SF 1
    Mike Foltynewicz (W,7-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.2
    5
    1
    1
    1
    6
  

    
    5.0
    LAA 3, DET 2
    Jhoulys Chacin (W,5-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    4.0
    3
    0
    0
    1
    5
  

    
    4.1
    OAK 3, STL 2
    Daniel Coulombe (W,2-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    BAT
    4.0
    NYY 13, BAL 5
    Starlin Castro, 2B
    6
    3
    4
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    TOR 8, MIN 7
    Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
    3
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    LAD 3, CHC 2
    Julio Urias (W,5-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    6
    1
    1
    2
    8
  

    BAT
    3.0
    COL 9, WSH 4 (11)
    Charlie Blackmon, CF
    6
    3
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    HOU 6, TB 2
    Alex Bregman, 3B
    4
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    SD 1, MIA 0
    Kevin Quackenbush (S,1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    BOS 8, KC 3
    Dustin Pedroia, 2B
    5
    1
    4
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	14.0	24.4	24.4	24.4	3.6
Quintana, Jose 3040	pi sp	chi al	9.4	15.4	34.2	34.2	3.4
Encarnacion, Edwin 2098	dh 1b	tor al	8.0	18.4	46.6	67.1	-2.4
Nicasio, Juan 2888	pi sp mr	pit nl	8.0	9.0	24.4	24.4	7.0
Castro, Starlin 2767	2b ss	nyy al	7.0	11.5	24.5	25.5	2.5
Griffin, A.J. 3074	pi sp	tex al	4.7	4.7	19.4	19.4	4.7
DeSclafani, Anthony 3441	pi sp	cin nl	4.0	11.7	11.7	11.7	-3.7
Foltynewicz, Mike 3455	pi sp	atl nl	4.0	6.7	6.7	6.7	1.3
Blackmon, Charlie 2891	cf	col nl	4.0	6.5	12.0	12.0	1.5
Chacin, Jhoulys 2711	pi mr sp	ana al	4.0	4.0	18.4	26.1	4.0
Urias, Julio 3652	pi sp	lad nl	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
Pedroia, Dustin 2320	2b	bos al	3.0	3.0	23.4	35.5	3.0
Quackenbush, Kevin 3462	pi mr cp	sd nl	2.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	0.0
Bregman, Alex 3721	3b	hou al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Coulombe, Daniel 3720	pi mr	oak al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Tigers' Justin Verlander tops players for Friday, Aug. 26; Cubs' Bryant extends Box-Toppers points lead among NL batters

Shawn Plank August 27, 2016

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is Friday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Aug. 26:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	20.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	18.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	17.2
5	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8
6	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
7	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
8	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
9	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7
10	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	13.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Friday, Kris Bryant of the Cubs extended his lead in season Box-Toppers points among National League batters after earning NL Batter of the Day honors.

Player of the Day—Verlander struck out eight over 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, four hits and one walk, in the 4-2 win over the Angels.

Verlander earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 133.6 career points, rising to 29th place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. He passes Jason Giambi (133.4) on the “all-time” list and now trails 28th-ranked player, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester (136.5). Verlander has 9.0 Box-Toppers points on the season, 15th among American League pitchers.

National League Player of the Day—Cardinals pitcher Luke Weaver allowed one run over six innings, striking out seven and allowing four hits and two walks, in the 14-4 win over the Athletics.

This was Weaver’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors. Weaver made his Major League debut Aug. 13 and was playing in his third career game. He is the 3,719th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

American League Batter of the Day—Justin Smoak of the Blue Jays hit a three-run homer and went 3-for-5, scoring twice and driving in five runs, in the 15-8 win over the Twins.

Smoak and Gary Sanchez of the Yankees (Player of the Game in the 14-4 win over the Orioles) both had Box-Toppers game scores of +5.0 Friday, but Smoak holds the tiebreaker to earn AL Batter of the Day honors because he had more RBIs than Sanchez—5 vs. 4.

National League Batter of the Day—Kris Bryant of the Cubs hit two home runs and went 2-for-4, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 6-4, 10-inning win over the Dodgers.

Bryant earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 10.5 for the season, extending his lead among NL batters—second place NL batter is Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals (8.5).

Bryant becomes the 31st player this season with 10 or more Box-Toppers points, the fourth batter and the first NL batter. He is the sixth Cubs player to reach 10 points in 2016 (The others: Jon Lester—15.4, Jake Arrieta—13.7, John Lackey—12.4, Jason Hammel—11.0, Kyle Hendricks—10.7). He ranks 26th among all players in season player rankings. It is Bryant’s first 10-point season; in his rookie season of 2015, he had 8.5 points.

Streak—Rickie Weeks of the Diamondbacks has now earned Box-Toppers points in 12 straight seasons after earning his first Player of the Game of the season Friday.

Weeks (HR 3B 2-3 2R BI in the 4-3, 11-inning win over the Reds) earned his first Box-Toppers point in 2005 with the Brewers and has 37.1 career points, third among active NL second basemen. His best season was 2007 with the Brewers when he had 6.2 Box-Toppers points. In 2015, he had 1.0 Box-Toppers point with the Mariners.

Scoring—Verlander earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Weaver earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day. Smoak and Bryant each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day. All of Friday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/26
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    6.2
    DET 4, LAA 2
    Justin Verlander (W,14-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.2
    4
    2
    2
    1
    8
  

    BAT
    5.0
    TOR 15, MIN 8
    Justin Smoak, 1B
    5
    2
    3
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    NYY 14, BAL 4
    Gary Sanchez, C
    5
    3
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    NL
    5.0
    STL 3, OAK 1
    Luke Weaver (W,1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    1
    1
    2
    7
  

    
    4.2
    SEA 3, CHW 1
    Edwin Diaz (S,11)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    4.0
    CLE 12, TEX 1
    Abraham Almonte, RF
    5
    2
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    4.0
    CHC 6, LAD 4 (10)
    Kris Bryant, 3B
    4
    3
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    NYM 9, PHI 4
    Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
    4
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    SF 7, ATL 0
    Jeff Samardzija (W,11-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    7
    0
    0
    3
    6
  

    
    3.0
    MIA 7, SD 6
    Fernando Rodney (W,2-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    KC 6, BOS 3
    Eric Hosmer, 1B
    4
    1
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    PIT 5, MIL 3
    Jordy Mercer, SS
    4
    1
    1
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    ARI 4, CIN 3 (11)
    Rickie Weeks, LF
    3
    2
    2
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    WSH 8, COL 5
    Daniel Murphy, 2B
    3
    2
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    HOU 5, TB 4
    Evan Gattis, C
    4
    1
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

  
  

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Bryant, Kris 3465	lf 3b rf	chi nl	10.5	19.0	19.0	19.0	2.0
Verlander, Justin 2112	pi sp	det al	9.0	15.4	78.6	133.6	2.6
Murphy, Daniel 2589	2b	dc nl	7.5	9.0	31.0	32.5	6.0
Samardzija, Jeff 2495	pi sp	sf nl	6.7	16.1	44.8	45.8	-2.7
Hosmer, Eric 2886	1b	kc al	6.0	15.0	28.5	28.5	-3.0
Rodney, Fernando 1803	pi cp	fla nl	5.0	6.0	23.0	35.0	4.0
Diaz, Edwin 3690	pi cp	sea al	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
Smoak, Justin 2731	1b	tor al	3.5	8.5	18.4	22.9	-1.5
Gattis, Evan 3179	ca	hou al	3.0	7.0	9.0	9.0	-1.0
Mercer, Jordy 3206	ss	pit nl	3.0	3.0	9.0	9.0	3.0
Sanchez, Gary 3701	dh ca	nyy al	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Cabrera, Asdrubal 2362	ss	nym nl	2.0	5.0	26.7	42.7	-1.0
Almonte, Abraham 3554	rf ph	cle al	2.0	3.5	3.5	3.5	0.5
Weaver, Luke 3719	pi sp	stl nl	1.7	1.7	1.7	1.7	1.7
Weeks, Rickie 2035	lf 2b	ari nl	1.0	2.0	17.9	37.1	0.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

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Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top players

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s top 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.