Rays' Cobb tops players for Tuesday, July 29, White Sox' Abreu takes Box-Toppers lead among all batters

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb is Tuesday’s Player of the Day, while Jose Abreu of the White Sox takes the Box-Toppers points lead among all Major League batters.

Cobb struck out 12 and gave up one run and three hits over eight innings, in the 5-1 win over the Brewers.

Abreu, already the leader among American League batters, rose to become the top overall batter in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning AL Batter of the Day honors Tuesday. Abreu homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 11-4 win over the Tigers. Abreu earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points, giving him 12.0 for the season, moving into 14th place overall in Box-Toppers player rankings. He passes previous overall batting leader, Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies (11.6), who still leads National League batters. And Abreu extends his lead among AL batters—second place Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers has 8.5 Box-Toppers points.

Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano is NL Player of the Day. Liriano struck out 11 over seven innings, allowing one run, in the 3-1 win over the Giants.

Matt Kemp of the Dodgers is NL Batter of the Day. Kemp hit two home runs and went 3-for-4, driving in four runs, in the 8-4 win over the Braves.

Cobb receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Liriano receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Abreu and Kemp each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed Tuesday, click here.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

729 Score Team Player AB R H BI BB K IP H R ER BB K
MLB 13.0 Rays Alex Cobb (W, 7-6) - - - - - - 8.0 3 1 1 2 12
NL 11.0 Pirates Francisco Liriano (W, 3-7) - - - - - - 7.0 4 1 1 1 11
10.2 Reds Mike Leake (W, 8-9) - - - - - - 7.2 5 0 0 0 8
10.0 Phillies Cole Hamels (W, 6-5) - - - - - - 8.0 6 0 0 0 8
10.0 Twins Kyle Gibson (W, 9-8) - - - - - - 7.0 2 0 0 2 7
BAT 5.0 White Sox Jose Abreu 1B 4 2 3 4 1 0 - - - - - -
BAT 5.0 Dodgers Matt Kemp RF 4 2 3 4 0 0 - - - - - -
5.0 Blue Jays Marcus Stroman (W, 7-2) - - - - - - 7.0 6 1 1 2 8
4.0 Yankees Mark Teixeira 1B 2 3 1 2 3 0 - - - - - -
4.0 Marlins Henderson Alvarez (W, 8-5) - - - - - - 7.0 3 0 0 4 4
3.0 Athletics Evan Scribner (W, 1-0) - - - - - - 1.0 0 0 0 0 2
3.0 Padres Joaquin Benoit (S, 3) - - - - - - 1.0 0 0 0 0 2
2.0 Mariners Mike Zunino C 3 2 2 1 0 1 - - - - - -
1.0 Cubs Emilio Bonifacio 3B, CF 7 2 4 2 0 2 - - - - - -
0.0 Orioles Nick Markakis RF 6 1 2 3 0 1 - - - - - -

Rays' Cobb tops players for Wednesday, July 23, Giants' Bumgarner rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers rankings

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb is Wednesday’s Player of the Day, while Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner rises to second place in Box-Toppers player rankings.

Cobb pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 in the 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

Bumgarner rose from third to second place in season Box-Toppers player rankings after earning National League Player of the Day honors. (See the updated top 10 player list on the home page.) Bumgarner pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out six in the 3-1 win over the Phillies. Bumgarner earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 16.2 for the season. He trails only overall Box-Toppers leader, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who has 18.1 points.

Yoenis Cespedes of the Athletics is American League Batter of the Day. Cespedes homered twice and drove in five runs in the 9-7 win over the Astros.

Mark Reynolds of the Brewers is NL Batter of the Day. Reynolds homered twice and went 3-for-4, driving in three runs, in the 5-1 win over the Reds.

Cobb receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Bumgarner receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Cespedes and Reynolds each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed Wednesday, click here

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

723 Score Team Player AB R H BI BB K IP H R ER BB K
MLB 12.0 Rays Alex Cobb (W, 6-6) - - - - - - 7.0 5 0 0 0 10
NL 9.0 Giants Madison Bumgarner (W, 12-7) - - - - - - 8.0 5 0 0 0 6
7.1 Rockies Jorge De La Rosa (W, 11-6) - - - - - - 7.1 8 2 1 0 11
6.1 Braves Ervin Santana (W, 9-6) - - - - - - 7.1 6 1 1 3 10
BAT 5.0 Athletics Yoenis Cespedes LF 4 2 2 5 0 0 - - - - - -
5.0 `Royals James Shields - - - - - - 7.0 6 1 1 1 7
4.1 Mets Bartolo Colon (W, 9-8) - - - - - - 7.1 3 2 2 1 5
BAT 4.0 Brewers Mark Reynolds 1B 4 2 3 3 0 1 - - - - - -
4.0 Angels Jered Weaver (W, 11-6) - - - - - - 8.0 6 2 2 0 6
3.0 Tigers Miguel Cabrera 3B 4 2 2 3 1 0 - - - - - -
3.0 Pirates Travis Snider LF 3 3 2 1 1 0 - - - - - -
3.0 Twins Anthony Swarzak (W, 2-0) - - - - - - 5.0 2 1 1 1 3
2.0 Blue Jays Jose Bautista 1B 4 2 2 2 0 0 - - - - - -
1.0 Padres Tommy Medica 1B 5 1 3 2 0 1 - - - - - -
1.0 Yankees Francisco Cervelli C 2 1 2 0 0 0 - - - - - -

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

 

Cardinals' Lance Lynn (8IP 0R 8K) tops players for Friday, June 13

Cardinals pitcher  Lance Lynn is Friday’s Player of the Day. Lynn pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out eight in the 1-0 win over the Nationals.

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb is American League Player of the Day. Cobb struck out 11 over 6 1/3 innings in the 6-1 win over the Astros.

Ryan Wheeler of the Rockies is National League Batter of the Day. Wheeler hit a pinch-hit single to drive in two runs in the 7-4 win over the Giants. This was Wheeler’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,353rd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. Wheeler made his Major League debut July 20, 2012, and was playing in his 90th game.

Mike Napoli of the Red Sox is AL Player of the Game. Napoli went 2-for-3 with a double and drove in two runs in the 10-3 win over the Indians.

Notable: Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw rises to eighth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday (see the updated top 10 player list on the home page). Kershaw (7IP 1R 7K W in the 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 8.7 for the season. He ranks fourth among NL pitchers.

Lynn receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Cobb receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Wheeler and Napoli each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed Friday, click here.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

613 Score Team Player AB R H BI BB K IP H R ER BB K
MLB 14.0 Cardinals Lance Lynn (W, 7-4) - - - - - - 8.0 2 0 0 0 8
13.0 Cubs Jake Arrieta (W, 2-1) - - - - - - 7.0 2 0 0 1 9
AL 10.1 Rays Alex Cobb (W, 2-4) - - - - - - 6.1 3 1 1 2 11
7.1 `Rangers Nick Tepesch - - - - - - 6.1 2 0 0 2 5
6.0 Pirates Jeanmar Gomez (W, 1-2) - - - - - - 4.0 1 0 0 1 4
5.2 Yankees David Phelps (W, 2-4) - - - - - - 6.2 2 0 0 3 4
5.1 Mets Bartolo Colon (W, 6-5) - - - - - - 7.1 4 2 2 1 7
4.0 Blue Jays Drew Hutchison (W, 5-4) - - - - - - 7.0 6 0 0 0 3
BAT 3.0 Rockies Ryan Wheeler PH, 3B 1 1 1 2 0 0 - - - - - -
3.0 Dodgers Clayton Kershaw (W, 6-2) - - - - - - 7.0 8 1 1 1 7
3.0 Twins Kyle Gibson (W, 6-5) - - - - - - 7.0 5 0 0 2 3
3.0 Reds Aroldis Chapman (S, 11) - - - - - - 1.0 0 0 0 0 2
3.0 Braves Craig Kimbrel (S, 19) - - - - - - 1.0 0 0 0 0 2
BAT 2.0 Red Sox Mike Napoli 1B 3 1 2 2 1 0 - - - - - -
2.0 Royals Eric Hosmer 1B 2 1 1 2 2 0 - - - - - -

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

 

Rays' Alex Cobb (7IP 0R) tops players for Saturday, April 12

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb is Saturday’s Player of the Day. Cobb pitched seven scoreless innings in the 1-0 win over the Reds.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is National League Player of the Day. Greinke struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings in the 8-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

David Murphy of the Indians is American League Batter of the Day. Murphy homered, tripled and drove in four runs in the 12-6 win over the White Sox. Murphy earned 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 3.0 for the season, and now ranks ninth place among all players in Box-Toppers points for the season.

Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies is NL Batter of the Day. Rollins hit a 10th inning, walk-off home run in the 5-4 win over the Marlins. He went 3-5 in the game and drove in two runs.

Notable: Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. Gallardo (6IP 6K ND) was top player in the 3-2 win over the Pirates. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 3.0 for the season.

Cobb receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Greinke receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Murphy and Rollins each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

412ScoreTeamPlayersABRHBIBBKIPHRERBBK
MLB8.0RaysAlex Cobb (W, 1-1)------7.040005
7.0AthleticsSonny Gray (W, 2-0)------7.051129
4.0TwinsRicky Nolasco (W, 1-1)------8.051114
NL3.1DodgersZack Greinke (W, 3-0)------5.181108
BAT3.0IndiansDavid Murphy RF522400------
3.0YankeesBrian McCann C422301------
3.0`OriolesBud Norris------7.050034
3.0`RockiesBrett Anderson------3.010012
BAT2.0PhilliesJimmy Rollins SS523200------
2.0BravesJustin Upton LF423100------
2.0AstrosRobbie Grossman LF412301------
2.0TigersJustin Verlander (W, 1-1)------7.082218
2.0MetsJohn Lannan (W, 1-0)------2.000000
1.0CardinalsDaniel Descalso SS, 2B422100------
1.0`BrewersYovani Gallardo------6.062216

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

 

Dodgers' Hanley Ramirez tops players in Sunday, Oct. 6's NLDS games

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

Hanley Ramirez of the Dodgers is Sunday's Player of the Day in the two National League Division Series playoff games. 

Ramirez scored three runs and went 3-for-4 in the 13-6 win over the Braves to take a 2-1 series lead for the Dodgers. Ramirez had 5.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 177th overall, second among all NL shortstops. 

Marlon Byrd of the Pirates is Sunday's other Player of the Game. Byrd drove in two runs and went 2-for-3 in the 5-3 win over the Cardinals to take a 2-1 series lead for the Pirates. Byrd had 5.5 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 164th overall. 

 Coming Monday: All four League Division Series continue Monday. Three of the four series could be decided. Here are the pitching match-ups:

ALDS Game 3, Athletics at Tigers, series tied 1-1

Athletics: Jarrod Parker, 6.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 138th overall

Tigers: Anibal Sanchez, 17.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked seventh overall (see the top 10 Player Rankings list on the home page)

NLDS Game 4, Pirates lead Cardinals 2-1

Cardinals: Michael Wacha, 3.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 361st overall

Pirates: Charlie Morton, 3.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 344th overall

ALDS Game 3, Red Sox lead Rays 2-0

Red Sox: Clay Buchholz, 11.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked 41st overall

Rays: Alex Cobb, 9.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 58th overall

NLDS Game 4, Dodgers lead Braves 2-1

Braves: Freddy Garcia, 1.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 509th overall

Dodgers: Ricky Nolasco, 9.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 60th overall

In regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top batter in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games. However, no Box-Toppers points are awarded during the postseason. 

Top player from each game 

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

1006ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB4.0Dodgers Hanley Ramirez SS433210   0.000000
 2.0Pirates Marlon Byrd RF312210   0.000000

Rays' Alex Cobb tops players in AL Wild Card Game Wednesday, Oct. 2

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

Alex Cobb is Box-Toppers top player in the Rays American League Wild Card Game win Wednesday over the Indians.

Cobb pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in the 4-0 win to earn Player of the Day honors in the only game played Wednesday.  The Rays, by winning the one-game playoff, now face the Red Sox in the best-of-five AL Divisional Series beginning Friday in Boston.

Cobb finished 58th in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season with 9.7 Box-Toppers points. No Box-Toppers points are awarded during the postseason.

Top player from each game 

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

1002ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB2.2Rays 000000000Alex Cobb (W, 1-0)6.280015

Orioles' Gonzalez, Padres' Erlin top players for Thursday, Sept. 26

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez is Thursday's Player of the Day. Gonzalez allowed only one unearned run over seven innings in the 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. 

Padres pitcher Robbie Erlin is National League Player of the Day. Erlin struck out seven over seven innings and picked up a no-decision (he left after the seventh with the game tied) in the 3-2, 11-inning win over the Diamondbacks. 

Jason Heyward of the Braves is NL Batter of the Day. Heyward homered and went 5-for-5 in the 7-1 win over the Phillies. 

Yan Gomes of the Indians is American League Batter of the Day. Gomes homered and went 3-for-4 in the 6-5 win over the Indians. 

Notable: Rays pitcher Alex Cobb has the most Box-Toppers points among Thursday's nine players who earned Player of the Game honors. Cobb (7IP 0R in 4-0 win vs. Yankees) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 9.7 for the season, putting him in 54th place in Box-Toppers player rankings. 

Coming Friday: Two pitchers in the top 10 of Box-Toppers player rankings are scheduled to make their final regular season start Friday: 

  • Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers is scheduled to start against the Rockies. Kershaw is ranked first, the Box-Toppers points leader for the season, with 20.7 points. If Kershaw earns at least 1.0 Box-Toppers point Friday, he would clinch the season Box-Toppers point lead among players, with 21.7. His nearest competitor, teammate Zack Greinke has 19.4 Box-Toppers points, and would only be able to muster 21.4 points if he earns the maximum 2.0 points in his final start.
  • Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks is scheduled to start against the Nationals. Corbin is ranked sixth in player rankings with 17.4 Box-Toppers points. Since Corbin trails Kershaw by 3.3 Box-Toppers points, he will not be able to take the Box-Toppers points lead, because the most he can earn is 2.0 points. 

Box-Toppers Weekly Reports update: The weekly Box-Toppers Team Power Rankings and Player Rankings reports, which usually come on Friday, will come on Monday this week, after the conclusion of the season's final games Sunday.

Gonzalez receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Erlin receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Heyward and Gomes each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

926ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB8.0Orioles 0000000  Miguel Gonzalez (W, 11-8)7.021015
 6.0Rays 0000000  Alex Cobb (W, 11-3)7.030024
NL6.0`Padres 0000000  Robbie Erlin 7.032217
BAT3.0BravesJason Heyward CF525100  00.000000
BAT3.0Indians Yan Gomes C423200  00.000000
 3.0Royals David Lough RF212200  00.000000
 3.0Rangers0000000  Joe Nathan (W, 6-2)1.000002
 3.0`Brewers 0000000  Brandon Kintzler (H, 25)1.000002
 1.0Giants 0000000  Santiago Casilla (W, 7-2)1.000000

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

 

Shaun Marcum (7IP 12K) tops players for Sunday, May 26

Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard graphic.png

Mets pitcher Shaun Marcum is Sunday's Player of the Day. Marcum struck out 12 over seven innings in the 4-2 win over the Braves.

Marcum left the game on the hook for the loss after giving up two runs to put the Braves ahead, but the Mets came back to win the game, giving Marcum a no-decision (and Box-Toppers Player of the Game and Player of the Day honors).​

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb is American League Player of the Day. Cobb struck out eight over 8 1/3 innings in the 8-3 win over the Yankees.

Pete Kozma of the Cardinals is National League Batter of the Day. Kozma hit a three-run double and went 4-for-4 in the 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

J.P. Arencibia of the Blue Jays is AL Batter of the Day. Arencibia went 3-for-4 in the 6-5 win over the Orioles.

Marcum receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Cobb receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Kozma and Arencibia each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

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

526ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB11.0`Mets 0000000  Shaun Marcum 7.0422012
 10.0Nationals 0000000  Stephen Strasburg (W, 3-5)8.051109
AL7.1Rays 0000000  Alex Cobb (W, 6-2)8.152208
 7.0`Mariners 0000000  Hisashi Iwakuma 8.052208
 7.0Athletics 0000000  Bartolo Colon (W, 5-2)7.090009
BAT5.0Cardinals Pete Kozma SS424300  00.000000
 4.0Tigers 0000000  Max Scherzer (W, 7-0)6.031136
 4.0`White Sox 0000000  Jesse Crain (H, 15)1.000003
 3.0Giants Brandon Belt 1B221220  00.000000
 2.0Diamondbacks Martin Prado 2B414100  00.000000
BAT2.0Blue Jays J.P. Arencibia C423110  00.000000
 2.0Red Sox Stephen Drew SS433000  00.000000
 2.0Cubs Alfonso Soriano LF422210  00.000000
 1.0Angels J.B. Shuck LF403200  00.000000
 1.0Pirates Michael McKenry C322011  00.000000

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