Box-Toppers Toppers Box
Today’s key Box-Toppers numbers. Click links to jump to charts elsewhere on this page.▪️ Box-Toppers Player of the Game winners.
▪️ Box-Toppers points of the day’s top players.
▪️ A B-T look at upcoming pitching matchups.
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Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco is Monday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day pitching the season’s first no-hitter and earning his first career Box-Toppers points.
Also Monday, Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga earned Box-Toppers National League Player of the Day honors in his Major League debut. Plus, Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers earned Box-Toppers points in his 14th straight season.
Player of the Day
Blanco pitched a complete-game, no-hit shutout, walking two and striking out seven, in the 10-0 win over the Blue Jays. He threw 105 pitches.
Blanco earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 2.0 for the season, eighth among all players. Blanco is one of eight players atop Box-Toppers season player rankings with 2.0 points. He ranks lowest among them in eighth place overall because he has the fewest 2023 points (0.0).
This was Blanco’s Box-Toppers debut, his first career Player of the Game honor. Blanco made his Major League debut April 8, 2022, and was playing in his 25th career game.
Blanco had a +14.0 Box-Toppers game score Monday, highest among all players, just beating out the +13.0 game scores by two other Player of the Game winners—Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck (6IP 3H 0R 0BB 10K W in the 9-0 win over the Athletics) and Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (6IP 2H 0R 0BB 8K W in the 5-0 win over the Rockies). It is the highest-ranking Box-Toppers game score of the seven-day old season, beating two other +14.0 game scores on tiebreakers—Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes on March 28 and Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller on March 29. Blanco’s game score ranks higher because he had more innings pitched (nine) than both Burnes and Miller (six each).
Blanco won Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors three times during the 2024 spring training season: Feb. 29, March 15 (when he was Player of the Day) and March 21.
National League Player of the Day
Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga struck out nine over six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and no walks, in the 5-0 win over the Rockies.
Imanaga earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 1.7 for the season, 13th overall.
This was Imanaga’s Box-Toppers debut, his first career regular season Player of the Game honor in his Major League debut. Imanaga earned Player of the Game honors in spring training on March 14, when he was overall Player of the Day.
Imanaga, 30, pitched in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league from 2016 to 2023 and led the Central League in strikeouts in 2023.
American League Batter of the Day
Josh Jung of the Rangers hit a three-run home run and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 9-3 win over the Rays.
Josh Jung @Rangers goes on injured list with right broken wrist after being hit by pitch Monday in the game in which he was Box-Toppers AL Batter of the Day (HR 3-4 2R 4BI vs. TB). https://t.co/HRO7ed0YPI
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) April 2, 2024
National League Batter of the Day
Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in two runs, in the 6-2 win over the Padres.
Freeman streak
Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers has now earned Box-Toppers points in 14 straight seasons after earning his first Player of the Game honor of 2024 Monday.
Active season streaks
Here are the 12 players who have active streaks of earning Box-Toppers points for 13 or more consecutive seasons. Players are listed by the length of their streak and with their current team status. Also shown is the duration of their streak and their career Box-Toppers point (BTP) total.| Streak | Player | Pos | Team | Duration | BTP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Zack Greinke | pi sp | Free agent | 2007‑2023 | 224.5 |
| 16 | Clayton Kershaw | pi sp | Dodgers | 2008‑2023 | 270.4 |
| 16 | Evan Longoria | 3b | Free agent | 2008‑2023 | 62.7 |
| 15 | Max Scherzer | pi sp | Mets | 2009‑2023 | 251.7 |
| 15 | Andrew McCutchen | dh lf | Pirates | 2009‑2023 | 80.9 |
| 14 | Craig Kimbrel | pi cp | Orioles | 2010‑2023 | 88.1 |
| 14 | Giancarlo Stanton | rf dh | Yankees | 2010‑2023 | 75.9 |
| 14 | Aroldis Chapman | pi cp mr | Pirates | 2010‑2023 | 66.1 |
| 14 | Freddie Freeman | 1b | Dodgers | 2011‑2024 | 86.9 |
| 14 | Kenley Jansen | pi cp | Red Sox | 2011‑2024 | 65.4 |
| 13 | Mike Trout | cf | Angels | 2011‑2023 | 84.2 |
| 13 | Brandon Belt | 1b dh | Free agent | 2011‑2023 | 46.2 |
Freeman (2B 3-4 2R 2BI in the 8-3 win over the Giants) earned his first Player of the Game honor in 2011 with the Braves and has 86.9 career points, second among active NL batters, behind Paul Goldschmidt of the Cardinals (87.0). His best season was 2013 with the Braves when he had 11.5 Box-Toppers points, second among NL batters. In 2023, he had 10.0 Box-Toppers points with the Dodgers, third among NL batters.
Freeman’s 14-season streak earning Box-Toppers points is now tied for the sixth-longest active streak with four other players.
Morton streak
Braves pitcher Charlie Morton has now earned Box-Toppers points in 12 straight seasons after earning his first Player of the Game honor of 2024 Monday.
Morton (5.2IP 3H 0R 2BB 6K W in the 9-0, eight-inning win over the White Sox) earned his first Box-Toppers point in 2008 with the Reds, but his current streak started in 2013 with the Pirates (he earned no points in 2010 and 2012).
Morton now has 105.1 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 77th place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his 1.0 point Monday, he passes Scott Kazmir (105.1) on the “all-time” list and now trails 76th-ranked player Aramis Ramirez (105.8). Morton ranks 10th among active, signed pitchers in career points and fifth among active NL pitchers.
His best season was 2019 with the Rays when he had 18.8 Box-Toppers points, fifth overall and third among AL pitchers. He had 10.0 points in 2023 with the Braves, 19th among NL pitchers.
Scoring
Blanco earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day.
Imanaga earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day.
Jung and Donovan each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s Batter of the Day.
All of Monday’s other Player of the Game winners (listed in the chart) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Among Monday’s 3 starting pitchers with most 2023 Box-Toppers points, only 1 earned B-T Player of the Game honors (thread):
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) April 2, 2024
Charlie Morton @Braves (5.2IP 3H 0R 2BB 6K W vs. CHW) with +6.2 B-T game score.
Details—https://t.co/i6NjFJIjxk
Monday’s highest Box-Toppers game scores by players who did not earn B-T points (thread):
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) April 2, 2024
+11.0—Sean Manaea @Mets 6IP H 0R 2BB 8K ND
+6.1—Kyle Muller @Athletics 5.1IP H R 2BB 6K ND
+5.0—Kyle Tucker @Astros 2HR 2-3 2R 4BI
Monday’s Player of Game winners—https://t.co/i6NjFJIjxk
Monday’s lowest Box-Toppers game scores:
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) April 2, 2024
-20.8—Joe Boyle @Athletics 2.2IP 8H 8R 7ER 4BB 4K L vs. BOS
-13.8—Ryne Nelson @Dbacks
-12.9—Bowden Francis @BlueJays
-11.9—Chris Flexen @WhiteSox
-11.8—Ryan Pepiot @RaysBaseball
MO’s B-T Player of the Game winners—https://t.co/i6NjFJIjxk
Monday’s lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) April 2, 2024
-5.0—Yandy Diaz @RaysBaseball 0-5 3K
-5.0—Bryce Harper @Phillies 0-5 2K
-4.0—Luis Robert @WhiteSox 0-4 4K
-4.0—4 went 0-4 3K, including Alex Bregman HOU, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR
MO Player of Game winners—https://t.co/i6NjFJIjxk
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.
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Box‑Toppers Player of the Game winners
Here is the top player from each of the day’s games listed from highest to lowest Box‑Toppers game score (BTG).| 4/1 | BTG | Game | Player | AB | R | H | BI | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | +14.0 | HOU 10, TOR 0 | Ronel Blanco (W, 1‑0) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | |
| +13.0 | BOS 9, OAK 0 | Tanner Houck (W, 1‑0) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 6.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| NL | +13.0 | CHC 5, COL 0 | Shota Imanaga (W, 1‑0) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 6.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | |
| +6.2 | ATL 9, CHW 0 (F/8) | Charlie Morton (W, 1‑0) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 5.2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | ||
| BAT | +5.0 | TEX 9, TB 3 | Josh Jung 3B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | |
| +4.2 | `NYY 5, ARI 2 | Luis Gil | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 4.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||
| BAT | +4.0 | STL 6, SD 2 | Brendan Donovan LF | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | |
| +3.2 | CIN 6, PHI 3 (F/10) | Alexis Díaz (W, 1‑1) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| +3.2 | `DET 5, NYM 0 (F/10) | Reese Olson | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 5.2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||
| +3.0 | LAD 8, SF 3 | Freddie Freeman 1B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| +2.2 | LAA 7, MIA 4 | Adam Cimber (W, 1‑0) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| +2.0 | PIT 8, WSH 4 | Michael A. Taylor CF | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| +2.0 | BAL 6, KC 4 | Ryan Mountcastle 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ||
| +2.0 | SEA 5, CLE 4 | Ryne Stanek (S, 1) | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | ‑ | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
AL—Overall American League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box‑Toppers points.
NL—Overall National League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box‑Toppers points.
BAT—Top AL or NL Batter of the Day, worth 1.5 total Box‑Toppers points.
All other players listed here earn Player of the Game honors, worth 1.0 Box‑Toppers point.
` Pitcher had a no‑decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
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Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s Player of the Game winners
Here are Box-Toppers point totals of each of the Player of the Game winners. Players are ranked by their Box-Toppers point total in 2024 (’24). Also shown is their point total for this season and last (’23-24), the period 2019-2024 (’19-24) and each players’ career point total. Also shown is how their 2024 Box-Toppers point total compares with their 2023 total (+/-).Back to top
| Player of the Game | Pos | Team | ’24 | ’23‑24 | ’19‑24 | Career | +/‑ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blanco, Ronel 4959 | pi sp | hou al | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | +2.0 |
| Imanaga, Shota 4960 | pi sp | chi nl | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | +1.7 |
| Jung, Josh 4751 | 3b | tex al | 1.5 | 5.0 | 6.5 | 6.5 | -2.0 |
| Donovan, Brendan 4603 | lf ss 3b 2b | stl nl | 1.5 | 1.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | +1.5 |
| Morton, Charlie 2503 | pi sp | atl nl | 1.0 | 11.0 | 54.9 | 105.1 | -9.0 |
| Freeman, Freddie 2887 | 1b | lad nl | 1.0 | 11.0 | 37.7 | 86.9 | -9.0 |
| Olson, Reese 4861 | pi sp | det al | 1.0 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.4 | -6.4 |
| Diaz, Alexis 4613 | pi mr cp | cin nl | 1.0 | 8.0 | 11.0 | 11.0 | -6.0 |
| Mountcastle, Ryan 4325 | 1b dh ph | bal al | 1.0 | 5.2 | 14.7 | 14.7 | -3.2 |
| Houck, Tanner 4342 | pi sp mr cp | bos al | 1.0 | 3.0 | 14.7 | 14.7 | -1.0 |
| Taylor, Michael 3447 | cf | pit nl | 1.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 15.2 | 0.0 |
| Stanek, Ryne 4014 | pi cp mr | sea al | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 |
| Cimber, Adam 4141 | pi mr | ana al | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | +1.0 |
| Gil, Luis 4498 | pi sp | nyy al | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | +1.0 |
About Box-Toppers’ team abbreviations
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A Box-Toppers look at Tuesday’s pitching matchups
A Box-Toppers look at the upcoming day’s probable pitching matchups. Teams are paired below with visiting teams on top and home teams on the bottom. Each team’s starting pitcher is shown with their Box-Toppers point total from 2024 (’24), this year and last year (’23-24), over a six-year period (’19-24) and their career point total.Back to top
| Game | Starter | ’24 | ’23-24 | ’19‑24 | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIN | Varland, Louie 4758 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| MIL | Junis, Jakob 3857 | 0.0 | 5.7 | 12.7 | 21.7 |
| KC | Marsh, Alec* | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| BAL | Irvin, Cole 4140 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 18.4 | 18.4 |
| LAA | Anderson, Tyler 3656 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 24.4 | 37.4 |
| MIA | Luzardo, Jesus 4282 | 0.0 | 17.8 | 33.9 | 33.9 |
| CIN | Ashcraft, Graham 4645 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| PHI | Turnbull, Spencer 4086 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 13.7 | 14.7 |
| TEX | Heaney, Andrew 3515 | 0.0 | 11.4 | 32.8 | 47.5 |
| TB | Eflin, Zach 3679 | 0.0 | 12.0 | 30.8 | 43.5 |
| DET | Mize, Casey 4377 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| NYM | Houser, Adrian 4162 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 15.4 | 15.4 |
| ATL | Lopez, Reynaldo 3712 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 21.5 | 29.2 |
| CHW | Crochet, Garrett 4434 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| COL | Freeland, Kyle 3763 | 0.0 | 5.7 | 20.7 | 39.1 |
| CHC | Assad, Javier 4899 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| TOR | Berrios, Jose 3791 | 0.0 | 10.4 | 42.5 | 69.3 |
| HOU | Valdez, Framber 4048 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 39.4 | 41.4 |
| BOS | Bello, Brayan 4727 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| OAK | Wood, Alex 3246 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 23.0 | 63.1 |
| CLE | Bieber, Shane 4005 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 54.9 | 61.3 |
| SEA | Castillo, Luis Miguel 3840 | 0.0 | 16.1 | 54.5 | 70.9 |
| NYY | Cortes, Nestor 4160 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 24.4 | 24.4 |
| ARI | Gallen, Zac 4171 | 0.0 | 16.7 | 51.1 | 51.1 |
| STL | Mikolas, Miles 3034 | 0.0 | 6.7 | 21.8 | 36.2 |
| SD | Darvish, Yu 3003 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 58.0 | 132.0 |
| SF | Webb, Logan 4258 | 0.0 | 12.4 | 40.3 | 40.3 |
| LAD | Glasnow, Tyler 3948 | 1.0 | 13.4 | 43.8 | 49.8 |
* Player has yet to earn any career Box-Toppers points.
What are those numbers after players' names?
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