Jake Arrieta tops players in World Series Game 6 as Cubs tie series with Indians, 3-3

Shawn Plank November 2, 2016

Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in World Series Game 6 Tuesday.

The Chicago Cubs win 9-3 and even the best-of-seven game series with the Cleveland Indians at three games apiece, setting up a decisive Game 7 Wednesday.

Arrieta struck out nine over 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, three hits and three walks, earning the win. Arrieta had the highest Box-Toppers game score of all Cubs players, +4.2.

This is the second time this postseason (and second time in the World Series) Arrieta has been Box-Toppers Player of the Game. He was also top player in the Game 2 win against the Indians.

Arrieta had 15.7 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ninth among all players, sixth among NL pitchers. In 2015, he led all players in Box-Toppers points with 29.1.

Shortstop Addison Russell had the highest Box-Toppers game score (+4.0) among Cubs batters (GS 2B 2-5 R 6BI). Russell was the leading candidate for Box-Toppers Player of the Game during much of Game 6 after his third-inning grand slam homer, but his game score fell just below Arrieta’s after hitless at-bats later in the game.

Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin had a Box-Toppers game score Tuesday of −10.9 (2.1IP 6H 6R BB 0K L).

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.

Box-Toppers strives for accuracy. See a mistake in a post? A wrong name, wrong team, grammar error, spelling goof, etc.? Thanks for pointing it out! Contact Box-Toppers here. Let's fix it and make it right.

Top Cubs in World Series Game 6: Cubs 9, Indians 3

Here are the Box-Toppers game scores of all Cubs who played in World Series Game 6 listed from highest-to-lowest Box-Toppers game score.

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    4.2
    * Jake Arrieta (W,2-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.2
    3
    2
    2
    3
    9
  

    4.0
    Addison Russell, SS
    5
    1
    2
    6
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    3.0
    Anthony Rizzo, 1B
    5
    3
    3
    2
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    2.0
    Kris Bryant, 3B
    5
    2
    4
    1
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.1
    Travis Wood
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    0.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
  

    0.0
    Ben Zobrist, LF
    4
    2
    2
    0
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Mike Montgomery
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    1
    0
  

    -1.8
    Pedro Strop
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    0.2
    1
    0
    0
    1
    0
  

    -1.9
    Aroldis Chapman
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    1
    1
    1
    1
    1
  

    -2.0
    Kyle Schwarber, DH
    4
    1
    1
    0
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Javier Baez, 2B
    4
    0
    1
    0
    0
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Willson Contreras, C
    3
    0
    0
    0
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -4.0
    Jason Heyward, RF
    4
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -5.0
    Dexter Fowler, CF
    5
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    * Player of the Game
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Wednesday in Cleveland:

World Series Game 7, Cubs at Indians, series tied, 3-3

The pitching matchup Wednesday:

Cubs—Kyle Hendricks, 13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 17th among all players, 10th among National League pitchers. Hendricks was Player of the Game in the National League Championship Series Game 6 vs. the Dodgers.

Indians—Corey Kluber, 21.2 Box-Toppers points, fifth among all players, first among American League pitchers. Kluber was Player of the Game in AL Division Series Game 2 vs. the Red Sox, in AL Championship Series Game 1 vs. the Blue Jays, in World Series Game 1 vs. the Cubs and World Series Game 4 vs. the Cubs.

Kluber has been Box-Toppers Player of the Game four times during the postseason, more than any other player and twice during the World Series, tied with Arrieta of the Cubs.

Kluber is Box-Toppers’ highest-ranked AL pitcher in 2016 with 21.2 Box-Toppers points.

Given that, the Indians should be favored in Game 7. But Kluber is pitching on short rest. But again, he’s done that before in Game 4 and earned Player of the Game honors.

Hendricks has only been Player of the Game once this postseason. In his previous World Series start in Game 3, which the Cubs lost, he didn’t do badly. He had a positive Box-Toppers game score, +2.1 (4.1IP 6H 0R 2BB 6K ND). Unlike Kluber, he is pitching on full rest and making just his second appearance in the World Series. And though he has fewer regular season Box-Toppers points than Kluber, Hendricks is among the top 10 NL pitchers in 2016.

Given how both managers have put starters on a short leash and relied on middle relievers and closers to carry the load, it would be odd to see both pitchers go deep in a Jack Morris-John Smoltz style Game 7 1991 World Series pitching duel.

It would be far more likely to see the bullpens handle the load, as has happened most of the series. That would give the Indians the edge with strong relievers Cody Allen (7.0 Box-Toppers points) and Andrew Miller (8.0 Box-Toppers points), neither of whom pitched Tuesday. The Cubs counter with their closer Aroldis Chapman (7.4 Box-Toppers points), but Chapman pitched Tuesday and had a long 2 2/3-inning outing to secure Game 5 on Sunday.

But on the other hand, the Cubs have the best starting pitching line-up in baseball and have the luxury of bringing in two of their starting aces in relief in Game 7. Both Jon Lester (22.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked fourth, third among NL pitchers) and John Lackey (13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 16th, ninth among NL pitchers) would be available as relievers for the season’s final game.

Box-Toppers 2016 final team rankings

Box-Toppers 2016 final top 10 player rankings

Box-Toppers point totals of all Cubs players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers point totals of all Indians players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers ALCS Preview

Box-Toppers NLCS Preview

Game 6 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Here are real-time tweets from Box-Toppers Wednesday as World Series Game 6 progressed:

#WorldSeries #Game6 starters:#Cubs Jake Arrieta 15.7 Box-Toppers pts, rank 9th,#Indians Josh Tomlin 5.0 B-T, 202ndhttps://t.co/PUTK1jOqcA
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 1, 2016

Kris Bryant #Cubs (solo homer) takes early lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game6 (B-T game score +2). CHC 1, CLE 0 T1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Addison Russell #Cubs takes lead as Box-Toppers Player of the Game in #WorldSeries #Game6 (2B 1-1 2BI, B-T game score +2). CHC 3-CLE 0 T1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Addison Russell #Cubs extends lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game6 (GS 2B 2-2 R 6BI, B-T gm score +7). CHC 7, CLE 0 M3.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Josh Tomlin #Indians exits #WorldSeries #Game6 (2.1IP 6H 6R BB 0K, Box-Toppers game score -10.9). CHC 7, CLE 0 B3.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Arrieta #Cubs briefly led as Box-Toppers Player of Game lead in #WorldSeries #Game6 before Kipnis HR. Russell resumes lead. CHC 7, CLE 2 E5.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

#WorldSeries #Game6 #Cubs Box-Toppers game score leaders:
A. Russell +6 (GS 2B 2-3 R 6BI)
J. Arrieta +4 (5IP 3H 2R 2BB 8K)
CHC 7, CLE 2 T6
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs exits #WorldSeries #Game6 (5.2IP 3H 2R 3BB 9K, Box-Toppers game score +4.2). CHC 7, CLE 2 B6, runner at 1st.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs resumes Box-Toppers Player of Game lead in #WorldSeries #Game 6 (5.2IP 3H 2R 3BB 9K, B-T gm score +4.2). CHC 9, CLE 2 M9.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Addison Russell now has 2nd-high Box-Toppers game score (+4) among #Cubs in #WorldSeries #Game6 (GS 2B 2-5 R 6BI). Arrieta has highest gm sc
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Aroldis Chapman #Cubs exits #WorldSeries #Game6 vs. #Indians after 20 pitches (1.1IP H BB K, Box-Toppers game score +0.1). CHC 9, CLE 2 B9.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs (5.2IP 3H 2R 3BB 9K W) is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in #WorldSeries #Game6 win, 9-3, vs. #Indians. Series tied 3-3.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) November 2, 2016

Cubs' Aroldis Chapman tops players in World Series Game 5; Indians lead series, 3-2

Shawn Plank October 31, 2016

Cubs closing pitcher Aroldis Chapman is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in World Series Game 5 Sunday.

The Chicago Cubs win 3-2 as the Cleveland Indians maintain a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Chapman pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit, no walks, striking out four and earning the save. Chapman had the highest Box-Toppers game score of all Cubs players, +5.2.

This is the second time this postseason Chapman has been Box-Toppers Player of the Game. He was also top player in the National League Division Series Game 4 win vs. the Giants.

Chapman had 7.4 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, 104th among all players, 33rd among NL pitchers and second among NL closers, behind Jeurys Familia of the Mets (8.0).

Starting pitcher Jon Lester had the second-highest Box-Toppers game score among Cubs players, +3.0 (6IP 4H 2R 0BB 5K W). Lester has the highest regular season Box-Toppers point total of any player remaining in the postseason 22.1, ranked fourth among all players, third among NL pitchers.

Kris Bryant had the highest Box-Toppers game score among Cubs batters Sunday, 0.0 (HR 1-3 R BI).

Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer had a Box-Toppers game score of −1.0 (4IP 6H 3R 0BB 7K L).

Monday is a travel day in the World Series. Game 6 is Tuesday in Cleveland.

Top Cubs in World Series Game 5: Cubs 3, Indians 2

Here are the Box-Toppers game scores of all Cubs who played in World Series Game 5 listed from highest-to-lowest Box-Toppers game score.

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    5.2
    * Aroldis Chapman (S,4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.2
    1
    0
    0
    0
    4
  

    3.0
    Jon Lester (W,3-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    2
    2
    0
    5
  

    0.0
    Kris Bryant, 3B
    3
    1
    1
    1
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    David Ross, C
    1
    0
    0
    1
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Carl Edwards Jr., P
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -0.9
    Carl Edwards Jr. (H,3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    0.1
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  

    -1.0
    Addison Russell, SS
    4
    0
    2
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Anthony Rizzo, 1B
    3
    1
    1
    0
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Ben Zobrist, LF
    3
    1
    1
    0
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    a-Miguel Montero, PH
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Aroldis Chapman, P
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Willson Contreras, C
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Jon Lester, P
    2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Jason Heyward, RF
    4
    0
    1
    0
    0
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Javier Baez, 2B
    4
    0
    1
    0
    0
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Dexter Fowler, CF
    3
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    * Player of the Game
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Tuesday in Cleveland:

World Series Game 6, Indians lead Cubs in series, 3-2

The pitching matchup Tuesday:

Cubs—Jake Arrieta, 15.7 Box-Toppers points, ninth among all players, sixth among NL pitchers. Arrieta was Player of the Game in World Series Game 2.

Indians—Josh Tomlin, 5.0 Box-Toppers points, 202nd among all players, 63rd among American League pitchers. Tomlin was Player of the Game in the American League Championship Series Game 2 vs. the Blue Jays.

On paper, the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Arrieta outmatches Tomlin. In addition, Arrieta is pitching on five days rest having last pitched and won in Game 2. Tomlin is pitching on short rest, just three days, after having 58 pitches over 4 2/3 innings in Game 3 Friday.

But Tomlin was also outmatched in his Game 3 start vs. Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs (13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 17th) and the Indians still prevailed, 1-0, thanks to the Indians bullpen aces Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.

Box-Toppers World Series preview

Box-Toppers 2016 final team rankings

Box-Toppers 2016 final top 10 player rankings

Box-Toppers point totals of all Cubs players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers point totals of all Indians players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers ALCS Preview

Box-Toppers NLCS Preview

Game 5 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Here are real-time tweets from Box-Toppers Wednesday as World Series Game 5 progressed:

#WorldSeries #Game5 starters:#Indians Trevor Bauer 11.4 Box-Toppers pts, rank 34th,#Cubs Jon Lester 22.1, rank 4thhttps://t.co/gxGEmzPHbF
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

Jose Ramirez #Indians takes early lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game5, (solo HR, B-T game score +2). CLE 1, CHC 0 T2.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

Trevor Bauer #Indians assumes lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game #WorldSeries #Game5 (3IP H 0R 0BB 5K, B-T game score +6). CLE 1, CHC 0 E3.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

#Cubs take lead in #WorldSeries #Game5, 2-1 B4.
Box-Toppers Player of the Game leader:
Jon Lester (4IP H R 0BB 3K, B-T game score +4).
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

Jon Lester #Cubs extends Box-Toppers Player of the Game lead in #WorldSeries #Game 5 (5IP 2H R 0BB 4K, B-T game score +5). CHC 3, CLE 1 M5.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

Trevor Bauer #Indians exits #WorldSeries #Game5 (4IP 6H 3R 0BB 7K, Box-Toppers gm score -1). CHC 3, CLE 1, B5. Lester leads as Player of Gm.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

Jon Lester #Cubs maintains Box-Toppers Player of Game lead in #WorldSeries #Game 5 (6IP 4H 2R 0BB 5K, B-T game score +3). CHC 3, CLE 2 M6.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

Jon Lester #Cubs exits #WorldSeries #Game 5 leading as Box-Toppers Player of Game (6IP 4H 2R 0BB 5K, B-T game score +3). CHC 3, CLE 2, T7.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

If Chapman #Cubs holds on & earns save, he'd likely be Box-Toppers Player of Gm in #WorldSeries #Game5 (1.2IP H 0R 3K, B-T gm score +3.2).
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

#Cubs 3, #Indians 2 B8
Box-Toppers Player of the Game leaders (B-T game scores)
Chapman +3.2
Lester +3.0
Bryant 0.0#WorldSeries #Game5
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

Aroldis Chapman #Cubs (2.2IP H 0R 4K Sv) is Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game5 win, 3-2, vs. #Indians. CLE leads series, 3-2.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 31, 2016

Corey Kluber tops players for 2nd time in World Series, as Indians take 3-1 series lead

Shawn Plank October 30, 2016

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in World Series Game 4 Saturday.

The Cleveland Indians win 7-2 to take a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs in the best-of-seven game series.

Kluber allowed one run over six innings, allowing five hits, one walk, striking out six and earning the win. Kluber had the highest Box-Toppers game score of all Indians players, +4.0.

This is the second time this World Series Kluber has been Box-Toppers Player of the Game—he was also top player in his Game 1 start. This was the fourth time this postseason Kluber has earned Player of the Game honors, most of any player. In addition to his two top player honors in the World Series, he was Player of the Game in AL Division Series Game 2 vs. the Red Sox and AL Championship Series Game 1 vs. the Blue Jays.

During the regular season Kluber had 21.2 Box-Toppers points, fifth among all players and first among AL pitchers.

Second baseman Jason Kipnis had the second-highest Box-Toppers game score (+3.0) among Indians players (three-run HR, 2B 3-5 2R 3BI).

Opposing starting pitcher John Lackey of the Cubs had a Box-Toppers game score of 0.0 (5IP 4H 3R BB 5K L).

The Indians could wrap up the championship as the World Series resumes Sunday in Chicago.

Top Indians in World Series Game 4: Indians 7, Cubs 2

Here are the Box-Toppers game scores of all Indians who played in World Series Game 4 listed from highest-to-lowest Box-Toppers game score.

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    4.0
    * Corey Kluber (W,4-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    1
    1
    1
    6
  

    3.0
    Jason Kipnis, 2B
    5
    2
    3
    3
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    1.0
    Carlos Santana, 1B
    4
    1
    3
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    1.0
    c-Coco Crisp, PH
    1
    1
    1
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    1.0
    Andrew Miller
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    1
    1
    1
    0
    2
  

    0.0
    Francisco Lindor, SS
    4
    1
    2
    1
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Dan Otero
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  

    0.0
    Andrew Miller, P
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Dan Otero, P
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
    3
    1
    0
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Corey Kluber, P
    2
    0
    1
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    a-Michael Martinez, PH
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Tyler Naquin, CF
    1
    0
    0
    0
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Mike Napoli, 1B
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    b-Brandon Guyer, PH-LF
    2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Rajai Davis, LF-CF
    4
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Roberto Perez, C
    3
    0
    0
    0
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -5.0
    Jose Ramirez, 3B
    5
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    * Player of the Game
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Sunday in Chicago:

World Series Game 5, Indians lead Cubs in series, 3-1

The pitching matchup Sunday:

Indians—Trevor Bauer, 11.4 Box-Toppers points, 34th among all players, 12th among AL pitchers.

Cubs—Jon Lester, 22.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked fourth among all players, third among NL pitchers.

On paper, the Cubs looked to dominate the depleted, injury-riddled Indians in this World Series. But so far, the Indians have prevailed with their patched-together pitching rotation.

But now, the Indians ace Kluber has pitched and won two games and will wait for an if-necessary Game 7. The Cubs dominant starter Lester is back for Game 5 and if the Cubs can win, Game 2-winner Jake Arrieta is likely for Game 6. Aside from Kluber, the Indians can’t match those starters. Though the Cubs are down, they have to feel good about their chances in the next two games. And if it goes that far, they have to hope that Kluber finally feels some of the fatigue on short rest in Game 7 that he seemed to fail to feel on his Saturday short-rest win in Game 4.

Box-Toppers World Series preview

Box-Toppers 2016 final team rankings

Box-Toppers 2016 final top 10 player rankings

Box-Toppers point totals of all Cubs players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers point totals of all Indians players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers ALCS Preview

Box-Toppers NLCS Preview

Game 4 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Here are real-time tweets from Box-Toppers Wednesday as World Series Game 4 progressed:

#WorldSeries #Game4 starters:
Corey Kluber #Indians 21.2 Box-Toppers pts, rank 5th
John Lackey #Cubs 13.4 pts, 16thhttps://t.co/50Vap0CKpT
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

Anthony Rizzo #Cubs takes early lead as Box-Toppers Player of the Game in #WorldSeries #Game4 (1-1 BI, B-T game score +1). CHC 1, CLE 0 B1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

#Indians tie #WorldSeries #Game4 1-1 T2
Box-Toppers Player of Game leaders:
CLE—Carlos Santana (HR 1-1 R BI)#Cubs Anthony Rizzzo (1-1 BI)
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

#Indians take 2-1 lead vs #Cubs in #WorldSeries #Game4, M2.
CLE Santana takes lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game (HR 1-1, B-T gm score +2).
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

#Indians take 3-1 lead over#Cubs M3 #WorldSeries #Game4.
CLE Carlos Santana leads as Box-Toppers Player of Game (HR 1-2, B-T gm score +1).
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

Corey Kluber #Indians takes lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game4 (4IP 4H R BB 5K, B-T game score +2). CLE 3, CHC 1 T5.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

Corey Kluber #Indians extends lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game4 (5IP 4H R BB 5K, B-T gm score +3). CLE 3, CHC 1 T6.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

John Lackey #Cubs exits #WorldSeries #Game4 (5IP 4H 3R BB 5K, Box-Toppers game score 0.0). CLE 3, CHC 1, T6.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

Corey Kluber #Indians extends lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game4 (6IP 6H R BB 6K, B-T gm score +4). CLE 4, CHC 1 E6
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

Corey Kluber #Indians exits #WorldSeries #Game4 as Box-Toppers Player of Game leader (6IP 5H R BB 6K, B-T gm score +4). CLE 7, CHC 1 E7.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

Corey Kluber #Indians (6IP 5H R 6K) is Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game4 win, 7-2, vs #Cubs. CLE leads series over CHC, 3-1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 30, 2016

Jake Arrieta tops players in World Series Game 2 as Cubs even series with Indians, 1-1

Shawn Plank October 27, 2016

Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in World Series Game 2 Wednesday.

The Chicago Cubs win 5-1 to even the best-of-seven series with the Cleveland Indians, 1-1.

Arrieta allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, three walks and striking out six. He had a Box-Toppers game score of +4.2, most of any Cubs player Wednesday. It is the first time this postseason he has earned Player of the Game honors.

Arrieta has 15.7 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ninth among all players, sixth among NL pitchers. He led all players in Box-Toppers points in 2015 with 29.1.

Kyle Schwarber had the highest Box-Toppers game score (+1.0) among Cubs batters Wednesday (2-4 R 2BI). Opposing starting pitcher Trevor Bauer of the Indians had a Box-Toppers game score of −6.8 (3.2IP 6H 2R 2BB 2K L).

Thursday is a travel day and the World Series resumes Friday in Chicago with Game 3.

Top Cubs in World Series Game 2: Cubs 5, Indians 1

Here are the Box-Toppers game scores of all Cubs who played in World Series Game 2 listed from highest-to-lowest Box-Toppers game score.

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    4.2
    * Jake Arrieta (W,1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.2
    2
    1
    1
    3
    6
  

    3.0
    Mike Montgomery
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    2
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    2.1
    Aroldis Chapman
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    1
    2
  

    1.0
    Kyle Schwarber, DH
    4
    1
    2
    2
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    1.0
    Anthony Rizzo, 1B
    3
    2
    1
    1
    2
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Ben Zobrist, LF
    4
    1
    2
    1
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Addison Russell, SS
    4
    0
    1
    1
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Jorge Soler, RF
    2
    0
    0
    0
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Jason Heyward, PR-RF
    2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Kris Bryant, 3B
    5
    1
    1
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -3.0
    Willson Contreras, C
    3
    0
    0
    0
    2
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -4.0
    Dexter Fowler, CF
    5
    0
    1
    0
    0
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -4.0
    Javier Baez, 2B
    5
    0
    1
    0
    0
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    * Player of the Game
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Friday in Chicago:

World Series Game 3, Indians at Cubs, series tied, 1-1

The pitching matchup Friday:

Box-Toppers World Series preview

Box-Toppers 2016 final team rankings

Box-Toppers 2016 final top 10 player rankings

Box-Toppers point totals of all Cubs players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers point totals of all Indians players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers ALCS Preview

Box-Toppers NLCS Preview

Game 2 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Here are real-time tweets from Box-Toppers Wednesday as World Series Game 2 progressed:

#WorldSeries Game 2 starters:
Jake Arrieta #Cubs 15.7 Box-Toppers pts, rank 9th
Trevor Bauer #Indians 11.4 pts, 34thhttps://t.co/MPCvrzXH1G
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 26, 2016

Anthony Rizzo #Cubs takes early lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game2 (2B 1-1 BI, B-T game score +1). CHC 1, CLE 0 T1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 26, 2016

Anthony Rizzo #Cubs extends lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game2 (2B 1-1 R BI, B-T game score +2). CHC 2, CLE 0 T3.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs assumes lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game 2 (3IP 0H 0R 2BB 4K, B-T gm score +5). CHC 2, CLE 0 E3.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Trevor Bauer #Indians exits #WorldSeries #Game2 (3.2IP 6H 2R 2BB 2K, Box-Toppers game score -6.8. No blood, 87 pitches) CHC 2, CLE 0 T4.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs extends lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game2 (4IP 0H 0R 3BB 5K, B-T game score +6). CHC 2, CLE 0 E4.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs extends lead as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game2 (5IP 0H 0R 3BB 6K, B-T game score +8). CHC 5, CLE 0 E5.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Danny Salazar #Indians pitches relief in #WorldSeries #Game2, 1st appearance since 9/9 (injury). '16—12.5 Box-Toppers pts, 8th among AL Ps.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Kyle Schwarber takes Box-Toppers game score lead (+2) among #Cubs batters (2-3 R 2BI) in #WorldSeries #Game 2. Arrieta leads as Player of Gm
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Don Larsen rest easy. Jason Kipnis #Indians gets 1st hit against Jake Arrieta #Cubs, his first of #WorldSeries. CHC 5, CLE 0 B6. #Game2
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs exits leading as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game2 (5.2IP 2H R 3BB 6K, B-T gm score +4.2) CLE 5, CHC 1 B6
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Jake Arrieta #Cubs (5.2IP 2H R 3BB 6K) is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in #WorldSeries #Game2 win, 5-1, vs. #Indians. Series tied 1-1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 27, 2016

Corey Kluber tops players in World Series Game 1 as Indians take 1-0 series lead over Cubs

Shawn Plank October 26, 2016

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in World Series Game 1 Tuesday, striking out nine Cubs over six scoreless innings.

The Indians win 6-0 to take a 1-0 lead over the Cubs in the best-of-seven series.

Kluber allowed four hits and no walks and earned a Box-Toppers game score of +11.0, the highest of any Indians player Tuesday.

It is the third time this postseason Kluber has earned Player of the Game honors, the most of any player this postseason. Kluber was Player of the Game in American League Division Series Game 2 vs. the Red Sox and in AL Championship Series Game 1 vs. the Blue Jays.

Kluber has 21.2 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, fifth among all players and first among AL pitchers.

He outdueled Cubs starting ace Jon Lester (22.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked fourth among all players, third among NL pitchers). Lester had a Box-Toppers game score Tuesday of −2.8 (5.2IP 6H 3R 3BB 7K L).

Catcher Roberto Perez led the way for Indians batters with two home runs (2-4 2R 4BI). He had a Box-Toppers game score Tuesday of +4.0, second-best among Indians players.

Top Indians in World Series Game 1: Indians 6, Cubs 0

Here are the Box-Toppers game score of all Indians who played in World Series Game 1 listed from highest-to-lowest Box-Toppers game score.

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Indians player
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    11.0
    * Corey Kluber (W,3-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    0
    0
    0
    9
  

    4.0
    Roberto Perez, C
    4
    2
    2
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    3.0
    Cody Allen
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    1.0
    Andrew Miller (H,5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    3
  

    0.0
    Jose Ramirez, 3B
    4
    0
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Francisco Lindor, SS
    4
    1
    3
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Brandon Guyer, LF
    2
    1
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
    4
    1
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Mike Napoli, 1B
    3
    1
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Carlos Santana, DH
    2
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -4.0
    Rajai Davis, CF
    5
    0
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -5.0
    Jason Kipnis, 2B
    5
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    * Player of the Game
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Wednesday in Cleveland:

World Series Game 2, Indians lead Cubs, 1-0

The pitching matchup Wednesday:

Cubs—Jake Arrieta, 15.7 Box-Toppers points, ninth among all players, sixth among NL pitchers.

Indians—Trevor Bauer, 11.4 Box-Toppers points, 34th among all players, 12th among AL pitchers.

Neither pitcher has earned Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors so far this season. Bauer’s last start on Oct. 17 in the AL Championship Game 3 vs. the Blue Jays lasted only 2/3 of an inning when Bauer had to be pulled from the game because he was bleeding profusely from his pinky where he cut it days earlier on a drone. The Cubs have lost both postseason games Arrieta has started in 2016—on Oct. 10, the Cubs lost National League Division Series Game 3 to the Giants and on Oct. 18, they lost NL Championship Game 3 to the Dodgers.

Note: The game starts an hour earlier than normal at 7 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Central, because of weather concerns.

Box-Toppers World Series preview

Box-Toppers 2016 final team rankings

Box-Toppers 2016 final top 10 player rankings

Box-Toppers point totals of all Cubs players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers point totals of all Indians players active at season’s end

Box-Toppers ALCS Preview

Box-Toppers NLCS Preview

Cubs have every advantage in World Series, but short-staffed Indians have dominated as underdogs

Shawn Plank October 25, 2016

Chicago Cubs seem likely to end their 108-year World Series drought, holding Box-Toppers-point edges in most categories, but the Cleveland Indians have been resilient when outmatched this postseason.

Dodgers' Rich Hill, Blue Jays' Aaron Sanchez top players in Tuesday's League Championship Series games

Shawn Plank October 19, 2016

Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill and Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez are top players in Tuesday’s two League Championship Series games.

In both LCS games Tuesday, the top 10 pitcher was outdueled by a lesser-ranked starter:

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber (21.2 Box-Toppers points, ranked fifth among all players and first among AL pitchers) lost against the Blue Jays’ Sanchez (10.7 Box-Toppers points, 45th among all players and 19th among AL pitchers).
Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta (15.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked ninth among all players and sixth among NL pitchers) lost against the Dodgers’ Hill (14.4 Box-Toppers points, 13th among all players and eighth among NL pitchers).

National League Championship Series Game 3: Dodgers 6, Cubs 0

Hill pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two hits, two walks and striking out six to earn Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors. The Dodgers take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven game series.

Hill had a Box-Toppers game score Tuesday of +8.0, most among Dodgers players. Top Dodgers batter was catcher Yasmani Grandal, who had a Box-Toppers game score of +2.0 (HR 1-3 R 3BI).

Opposing starting pitcher Jake Arrieta of the Cubs had a Box-Toppers game score of −4.0 (5IP 6H 4R 0BB 5K L).

The series resumes Wednesday in Los Angeles.

American League Championship Series Game 4: Blue Jays 5, Indians 1

Sanchez allowed one run over six innings, giving up two hits, two walks and striking out five to earn Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors. The Blue Jays stave off elimination and now trail the Indians 3-1 in the best-of-seven game series.

Sanchez had a Box-Toppers game score Tuesday of +5.0, most among Blue Jays players. Top Blue Jays batter was first baseman Edwin Encarnacion who had a Box-Toppers game score of 0.0 (2-4 0R 2BI).

Opposing starting pitcher Corey Kluber of the Indians had a Box-Toppers game score of +2.0 (5IP 4H 2R 2BB 7K L).

The series resumes Wednesday in Toronto.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    8.0
    LAD 6, CHC 0
    Rich Hill (W,1-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    6
  

    5.0
    TOR 5, CLE 1
    Aaron Sanchez (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    1
    1
    2
    5
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Wednesday\

American League Championship Series Game 5: Indians lead Blue Jays, 3-1

Though the Blue Jays are on the brink of elimination, they hold the distinct advantage in pitching.

The Indians staff depleted by injury, throw a rookie on the mound to start Game 5 who has never earned a Box-Toppers point. Meanwhile, the Indians have already used their one healthy ace Corey Kluber, who leads AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points, twice during this series already. The Blue Jays counter with starter Marco Estrada, who ranks among the top 15 AL pitchers. And with Kluber unavailable for at least a couple of games, the Blue Jays may be able to stave off elimination and possibly make the series competitive.

The pitching matchup Wednesday:

Indians—Ryan Merritt, 0.0 Box-Toppers points, unranked. Merritt made his Major League debut May 30 and has played in four games but has yet to make his Box-Toppers debut—he has never earned Player of the Game honors.

Blue Jays—Marco Estrada, 11.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 37th among all players, 15th among AL pitchers.

See Box-Toppers ALCS series preview with player-by-player matchups.

National League Championship Series Game 4, Dodgers lead Cubs, 2-1

The Cubs lost Game 3 though they had a slight pitching advantage with Arrieta (15.7 Box-Toppers points) over Hill (14.4). They hold a more distinct advantage Wednesday when the higher-ranked and veteran pitcher John Lackey with 24 games of postseason experience takes on the rookie Julio Urias with two innings of postseason experience.

The pitching matchup Wednesday:

Cubs—John Lackey, 13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 16th, ninth among NL pitchers.

Dodgers—Julio Urias, 5.7 Box-Toppers points, 179th among all players, 51st among NL pitchers.

See Box-Toppers NLCS series preview with player-by-player matchups.

Andrew Miller tops players in ALCS Game 3 Monday, giving Indians 3-0 series lead over Blue Jays

Shawn Plank October 18, 2016

Indians closing pitcher Andrew Miller is Box-Toppers Player of the Game Monday in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

Miller pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit, no walks, striking out three and earning the save, in the 4-2 win over the Blue Jays. The Indians take a 3-0 lead over the Blue Jays in the best-of-seven game series.

Miller had 8.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranked 92nd among all players and 32nd among AL pitchers. Miller earned 3.0 of his Box-Toppers points as a middle reliever and 5.0 as a closer during the season. He ranks third among AL closers and first among AL middle relievers. He started the season with the Yankees (earning 4.0 Box-Toppers points) before being traded to the Indians (earning 4.0 more points).

This is the second time this postseason Miller has earned Player of the Game honors. He was also Player of the Game on Oct. 6 in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Red Sox.

Miller had a Box-Toppers game score Monday of +3.1, most among Indians players. He narrowly beat first baseman Mike Napoli, who had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 (HR 2B 2-3 2R 2BI).

Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman had a Box-Toppers game score Monday of −3.9 (5.1IP 3H 4R 3BB 5K L).

The series resumes Tuesday with Game 4 in Toronto (more details below).

See Box-Toppers ALCS series preview with player-by-player matchups.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    BTG
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  
    3.1
    CLE 4, TOR 2
    Andrew Miller (S,1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  
    BTG: Box-Toppers game score

Coming Tuesday:

American League Championship Series Game 4: Indians lead Blue Jays, 3-0

The tentative pitching matchup Tuesday:

Indians—Corey Kluber, 21.2 Box-Toppers points, fifth among all players, first among AL pitchers. Kluber was also Player of the Game in ALCS Game 1 and ALDS Game 2.

Blue Jays—Aaron Sanchez, 10.7 Box-Toppers points, 45th among all players, 19th among AL pitchers.

See Box-Toppers ALCS series preview with player-by-player matchups.

National League Championship Series Game 3, Cubs at Dodgers, series tied, 1-1

The pitching matchup Tuesday:

Cubs—Jake Arrieta, 15.7 Box-Toppers points, ninth among all players, sixth among NL pitchers.

Dodgers—Rich Hill, 14.4 Box-Toppers points, 13th among all players, eighth among NL pitchers.

See Box-Toppers NLCS series preview with player-by-player matchups.

NLCS Preview: Cubs seem to have the advantages over the Dodgers—but these are the Cubs

Shawn Plank October 15, 2016

Cubs rank higher in Box-Toppers team rankings, its four starters rank among the top 10 NL pitchers, they have Kris Bryant. Dodgers have Kershaw who they needed for each NLDS win.

Nationals' Jayson Werth tops players in Monday's League Division Series playoff games

Shawn Plank October 11, 2016

Jayson Werth of the Nationals is top player in Monday’s three league division series playoff games.

Other Players of the Game Monday:

Giants middle reliever Derek Law.
Coco Crisp of the Indians.

National League Division Series Game 3: Nationals 8, Dodgers 3

Werth homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in two runs to earn Player of the Game.

Werth had 6.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranked 165th among all players and 23rd among NL batters.

Werth had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 Monday to lead all Nationals players.

The Nationals now lead the Dodgers in the best-of-five game series, 2-1, which resumes Tuesday in Los Angeles.

National League Division Series Game 3: Giants 6, Cubs 5 (13 innings)

Giants middle reliever Derek Law pitched two scoreless innings—the sixth and seventh—and allowed no hits, one walk and struck out two.

So how did Law earn Box-Toppers Player of the Game? Under Box-Toppers rules, pitchers can qualify to earn Player of the Game honors if they pitch a minimum of three innings or earn the win or save. Law did not meet any of those requirements. However, pitchers can also earn Player of the Game honors if their Box-Toppers game score is higher than the pitcher who otherwise would have earned Player of the Game—if they have the same or more innings pitched. Closer Ty Blach (2IP 2H 0R 0BB K W) was in line to earn Player of the Game based on the fact that he earned the decision and had the highest Box-Toppers game score of qualifying pitchers (+1.0). But since Law pitched the same number of innings and had a higher Box-Toppers game score (+3.0), he wins Player of the Game.

Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner would have qualified to earn Player of the Game honors (because he had more than three innings pitched) but he had a Box-Toppers game score Monday of −5.0 (5IP 7H 3R BB 4K ND). Giants top batter was catcher Buster Posey (3-5 R BI) who had a Box-Toppers game score of 0.0.

Law has 2.0 Box-Toppers points on the season.

Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (15.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked ninth among all players) had a Box-Toppers game score Monday of 0.0 in the loss (6IP 6H 2R BB 5K ND).

The Giants now trail the Cubs in the best-of-five game series, 2-1, which resumes Tuesday in San Francisco.

American League Division Series Game 3: Indians 4, Red Sox 3

Coco Crisp of the Indians hit a sixth-inning two-run homer to earn Player of the Game honors as the Indians swept the Red Sox to advance to the AL Championship Series.

Crisp went 1-for-2 and had a Box-Toppers game score of +2.0.

During the regular season, Crisp had 3.0 Box-Toppers points.

The Indians sweep the Red Sox in the NL Division Series in three games and now face the Blue Jays in the AL Championship Series beginning Friday in Cleveland.

The Red Sox ranked first among all AL teams in Box-Toppers rankings with 128.3 Box-Toppers points (ranking second overall behind the Cubs). The Indians ranked fourth with 123.7, second among AL teams.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    3.0
    WSH 8, LAD 3
    Jayson Werth, LF
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    3.0
    `SF 6, CHC 5 (13)
    Derek Law
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    2
  

    2.0
    CLE 4, BOS 3
    Coco Crisp, LF
    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.
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Tuesday, the NL Division Series playoff games resume:

NL Division Series Game 4: Nationals lead Dodgers, 2-1

The pitching matchup Tuesday:

Nationals—Joe Ross, 5.7 Box-Toppers points, 173rd among all players, 50th among NL pitchers.

Dodgers—Clayton Kershaw, 24.4 Box-Toppers points, second among all players, second among NL pitchers.

See the season Box-Toppers point totals of all Dodgers and Nationals players who earned Player of the Game honors in 2016.

NL Division Series Game 4: Cubs lead Giants, 2-1

The pitching matchup Tuesday:

Cubs—John Lackey, 13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 16th, ninth among NL pitchers.

Giants—Matt Moore, 12.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 31st, 16th among NL pitchers.

See the season Box-Toppers point totals of all Dodgers and Nationals players who earned Player of the Game honors in 2016.

Two relievers are Box-Toppers top players in Sunday's two Division Series games

Shawn Plank October 10, 2016

Two relief pitchers were Box-Toppers’ top players in two League Division Series playoff games Sunday:

Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna was Player of the Game in the 7-6, 10-inning win over the Rangers, as his team swept Texas in the series.
And Nationals middle reliever Blake Treinen was Player of the Game in the 5-2 win over the Dodgers to even that series at one game apiece.

ALDS Game 3, Blue Jays 7, Rangers 6 (10 innings)

Osuna pitched two scoreless innings, allowing no hits, no walks, striking out two and earning the win. The Blue Jays win the best-of-five game series, 3-0 and advance to the American League Championship Series beginning Friday against the winner of the Red Sox-Indians series.

Osuna was also Player of the Game in the Blue Jays’ Game 2 win agains the Rangers on Friday. He is the first player this postseason to earn Player of the Game honors more than once.

During the regular season, Osuna had 3.0 Box-Toppers points (all in April) and ranked 319th among all players, 87th among AL pitchers and 15th among AL closers.

Osuna had a Box-Toppers game score Sunday of +4.0. Blue Jays’ top batter in the game was Edwin Encarnacion, who had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 (HR 2-3 R 3BI).

NLDS Game 2: Nationals 5, Dodgers 2

Nationals middle reliever Blake Treinen pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits, no walks, striking out two and earning the win.

Treinen had no Box-Toppers points during the regular season. He has 1.0 for his career, earned June 10, 2015.

Treinen had a Box-Toppers game score Sunday of +3.1. Nationals’ top batter in the game, Daniel Murphy, had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 (3-3 R 2BI).

The best-of-five game series is now tied 1-1 and resumes Monday in Los Angeles.

ALDS Game 3 between the Red Sox and Indians was rained out Sunday and rescheduled for Monday. More details below.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    4.0
    TOR 7, TEX 6 (10)
    Roberto Osuna (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    3.1
    WSH 5, LAD 2
    Blake Treinen (W,1-0; H,1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Monday: League Division playoff games resume:

NL Division Series Game 3, Nationals at Dodgers, series tied, 1-1

The pitching matchup Monday:

Nationals—Gio Gonzalez, 6.0 Box-Toppers points, 158th among all players, 45th among NL pitchers.

Dodgers—Kenta Maeada, 10.0 Box-Toppers points, 54th among all players, 21st among NL pitchers.

See the season Box-Toppers point totals of all Dodgers and Nationals players who earned Player of the Game honors in 2016.

AL Division Series Game 3, Indians lead Red Sox, 2-0

The pitching matchup Monday:

Indians—Josh Tomlin, 5.0 Box-Toppers points, 202nd among all players, 63rd among AL pitchers.

Red Sox—Clay Buchholz, 5.0 Box-Toppers points, 200th among all players, 62nd among AL pitchers.

See the season Box-Toppers point totals of all Red Sox and Indians players who earned Player of the Game honors in 2016.

NL Division Series Game 3, Cubs lead Giants, 2-0

The pitching matchup Monday:

Cubs—Jake Arrieta, 15.7 Box-Toppers points, ninth among all players, sixth among NL pitchers.

Giants—Madison Bumgarner, 13.0 Box-Toppers points, 19th among all players, 12th among NL pitchers.

See the season Box-Toppers point totals of all Cubs and Giants players who earned Player of the Game honors in 2016.

Blue Jays' Estrada, Indians' Miller top players in pair of opening ALDS games for Thursday, Oct. 6

Shawn Plank October 7, 2016

Marco Estrada of the Blue Jays and Andrew Miller of the Indians are Box-Toppers Players of the Game in Thursday’s pair of American League Division Series openers.

Estrada allowed one run over 8 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, no walks and striking out six, in the 10-1 win over the Rangers. The Blue Jays now lead the Rangers 1-0 in the best-of-five series.

Estrada had 11.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, 37th among all players and 15th among AL pitchers.

Estrada had a Box-Toppers game score Thursday of +8.1. Blue Jays’ top batter in the game was third baseman Josh Donaldson (two doubles, 4-4 2R 2BI) with a Box-Toppers game score of +4.0. Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels had a bad day (3.1IP 6H 7R 3BB K L), earning a Box-Toppers game score of −17.9. During the regular year, Hamels had 15.4 Box-Toppers points, sixth among all players and second among AL pitchers.

Indians 5, Red Sox 4—In the other ALDS Game 1, Indians pitcher Andrew Miller earned Player of the Game, allowing no runs over two innings of middle relief. He allowed one hit, one walk and struck out four.

During the regular season, Miller had 8.0 Box-Toppers points as a closer and middle reliever. He earned 4.0 points for the Yankees before his midseason trade to the Indians. He ranks 92nd among all players in Box-Toppers points, 32nd among AL pitchers, third among AL closing pitchers and first among AL middle relievers.

Indians’ top batter Thursday was second baseman Jason Kipnis (HR 3-4 R 2BI) with a Box-Toppers game score of +2.0.

Neither starting pitcher fared particularly well. Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello (4.1IP 6H 5R 0BB 6K L) had a Box-Toppers game score of −5.9. Indians starter Trevor Bauer (4.2IP 6H 3R 0BB 6K ND) had a game score of −1.8.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    BTG
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    BB
    K
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    8.1
    TOR 10, TEX 1
    Marco Estrada (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.1
    4
    1
    1
    0
    6
  

    4.0
    CLE 5, BOS 4
    Andrew Miller (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.0
    1
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

AL Division Series Game 2, Blue Jays lead Rangers, 1-0

The pitching matchup Friday:

Blue Jays—J.A. Happ, 14.7 Box-Toppers points, 11th among all players, third among AL pitchers.

Rangers—Yu Darvish, 10.4 Box-Toppers points, 51st among all players, 21st among AL pitchers.

See the season Box-Toppers point totals of all Blue Jays and Rangers players who earned Player of the Game honors in 2016.

AL Division Series Game 2, Indians lead Red Sox, 1-0

The pitching matchup Friday:

Red Sox—David Price, 12.4 Box-Toppers points, 27th among all players, ninth among AL pitchers.

Indians—Corey Kluber, 21.2 Box-Toppers points, fifth among all players, first among AL pitchers.

Price and Kluber are the top two AL pitchers over the past two seasons. Over 2015 and 2016, Kluber ranks first among AL pitchers with 34.6 Box-Toppers points; Price ranks second with 33.5.

See the season Box-Toppers point totals of all Red Sox and Indians players who earned Player of the Game honors in 2016.

NL Division Series Game 1, Dodgers at Nationals

Though the Washington Nationals have the better winning percentage (.586 vs. .562), the Los Angeles Dodgers rank higher in Box-Toppers team rankings. Dodgers players have accumulated 125.2 Box-Toppers points, third-most among all teams, while the Nationals have 116.1, ranked eighth.

The pitching matchup Friday features the season’s top two players in Box-Toppers player rankings:

Dodgers—Clayton Kershaw, 24.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked second among all players, ranked second among NL pitchers.

Nationals—Max Scherzer, 25.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked first among all players, ranked first among NL pitchers.

Kershaw led in Box-Toppers points much of the season and had earned 20.0 Box-Toppers points before the end of June, on pace to shatter the single-season Box-Toppers point record of 33.7. But then in late June, he went on the disabled list for two months. Despite his time away, Kershaw did not slip much down Box-Toppers rankings and was only passed by Scherzer in late August.

Kershaw and Scherzer are also the top two NL pitchers over the past two seasons. Over 2015 and 2016, Kershaw ranks first with 50.1 Box-Toppers points and Scherzer ranks second with 46.7. They are also the top two NL pitchers over the past six seasons. From 2011 to the present, Kershaw ranks first with 150.2 points and Scherzer ranks second with 111.3.

In addition to Kershaw, the Dodgers have one other player in a season’s top 10 Box-Toppers category list: Rich Hill with 14.4 Box-Toppers points ranks eighth among NL pitchers.

In addition to Scherzer, the Nationals have one other player a season’s top 10 Box-Toppers category list: Stephen Strasburg with 15.1 Box-Toppers points ranks 10th among all players and seventh among NL pitchers.

Dodgers vs. Nationals

Here are players for both teams in the NL Divisional Series beginning Friday. Players are listed for both teams ranked by Box-Toppers points earned in 2016. All players listed were on active Major or Minor League rosters at the end of the season—not necessarily all of them will be included on postseason rosters.


Los Angeles Dodgers			Washington Nationals
Player	Pos	BTP	Player	Pos	BTP
Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	24.4	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	25.7
Hill, Rich 2215	pi sp	14.4	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	15.1
Maeda, Kenta 3609	pi sp	10.0	Roark, Tanner 3261	pi sp	12.7
Kazmir, Scott 1947	pi sp	8.7	Murphy, Daniel 2589	2b	7.5
Grandal, Yasmani 3058	ca	7.2	Gonzalez, Gio 2626	pi sp	6.0
Jansen, Kenley 2871	pi cp	6.0	Werth, Jayson 1664	lf	6.0
Gonzalez, Adrian 2193	1b	5.7	Ross, Joe 3499	pi sp	5.7
Urias, Julio 3652	pi sp	5.7	Rendon, Anthony 3258	3b	5.5
Stripling, Ross 3629	pi sp	4.7	Latos, Mat 2644	pi sp	3.7
Kendrick, Howie 2191	2b lf 1b	4.0	Espinosa, Danny 2804	ss 2b	3.2
Seager, Corey 3587	ss	4.0	Harper, Bryce 3011	rf	3.0
Pederson, Joc 3621	cf	4.0	Melancon, Mark 2792	pi cp	3.0
Toles, Andrew 3692	rf lf cf ph	4.0	Turner, Trea 3730	2b cf	2.5
Reddick, Josh 2936	rf	3.5	Petit, Yusmeiro 2337	pi mr sp	2.0
Puig, Yasiel 3193	rf	3.5	Lopez, Reynaldo 3712	pi sp mr	2.0
McCarthy, Brandon 2082	pi sp	2.7	Solis, Sammy 3651	pi mr	2.0
Turner, Justin 2865	3b 2b	2.5	Zimmerman, Ryan 2180	1b 3b	1.5
Howell, J.P. 2016	pi mr	2.0	Ramos, Wilson 2904	ca	1.5
Stewart, Brock 3722	pi sp	1.7	den Dekker, Matt 3534	lf ph	1.5
Taylor, Chris 3684	2b	1.5	Taylor, Michael 3447	cf	1.0
Wood, Alex 3246	pi sp	1.0	Robinson, Clint 3475	1b	1.0
Hatcher, Chris 3420	pi mr	1.0	Kelley, Shawn 2630	pi cp mr	1.0
Hernandez, Enrique 3541	lf	1.0	Revere, Ben 2886	cf	1.0
Utley, Chase 1861	2b	1.0	Lobaton, Jose 3216	ca	1.0
Baez, Pedro 3678	pi mr	1.0	Cole, A.J. 3727	pi sp	1.0
Totals		125.2	Totals		116.1

What are those numbers after players' names?

NL Division Series Game 1, Giants at Cubs

The Cubs are the runaway leader in Box-Toppers team rankings, leading nearly all the season with 139.5 Box-Toppers points. The Giants are the lowest-ranking team to qualify for the postseason, ranked 10th with 112.7.

But the Giants have won the World Series each of the past three even-numbered years (2010, 2012 and 2014)—2016 is an even-numbered year. The Cubs last won the World Series in an even-numbered year, but that year was 1908, 106 years ago.

The pitching matchup Friday:

Giants—Johnny Cueto, 16.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked eighth among all players, fifth among NL pitchers.

Cubs—Jon Lester, 22.1 Box-Toppers points, ranked fourth among all players, third among NL pitchers.

Cueto is the only Giants players in the top 10 in a Box-Toppers category.

The Cubs have four other players in season top 10 lists:

Jake Arrieta, 15.7 Box-Toppers points, ranks ninth among all players and sixth among NL pitchers. (Arrieta led all players in 2015 with 29.1 Box-Toppers points).
John Lackey, 13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranks ninth among NL pitchers.
Kyle Hendricks, 13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranks 10th among NL pitchers.
Kris Bryant, 10.5 Box-Toppers points, ranks second among NL batters.

Giants vs. Cubs


San Francisco Giants			Chicago Cubs
Player	Pos	BTP	Player	Pos	BTP
Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	16.4	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	22.1
Bumgarner, Madison 2753	pi sp	13.0	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	15.7
Moore, Matt 2975	pi sp	12.4	Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	13.4
Samardzija, Jeff 2495	pi sp	10.7	Hendricks, Kyle 3386	pi sp	13.4
Belt, Brandon 2943	1b	7.0	Hammel, Jason 2235	pi sp	13.0
Panik, Joe 3401	2b	5.5	Bryant, Kris 3465	lf 3b rf	10.5
Nunez, Eduardo 2795	3b 2b ss	5.5	Chapman, Aroldis 2826	pi cp	7.4
Peavy, Jake 1635	pi sp	5.0	Montgomery, Mike 3513	pi cp mr sp	5.0
Posey, Buster 2745	ca 1b	3.5	Rondon, Hector 3201	pi cp	5.0
Pence, Hunter 2287	rf	3.5	Zobrist, Ben 2216	2b rf lf	4.0
Casilla, Santiago 2301	pi cp	3.0	Russell, Addison 3559	ss	3.5
Kontos, George 3106	pi cp mr	3.0	Rizzo, Anthony 3063	1b	3.0
Span, Denard 2502	cf	3.0	Cahill, Trevor 2658	pi mr sp	3.0
Tomlinson, Kelby 3619	2b ph	3.0	Soler, Jorge 3403	lf	2.5
Cain, Matt 2081	pi sp	2.7	Coghlan, Chris 2610	3b rf ph	2.5
Brown, Trevor 3610	ca	2.5	Ross, David 1729	ca	2.5
Crawford, Brandon 2878	ss	2.0	Montero, Miguel 2304	ca ph	2.0
Gillaspie, Conor 3218	3b ph	2.0	Smith, Joe 2388	pi cp mr	2.0
Blach, Ty 3754	pi sp	2.0	Baez, Javier 3395	2b ss	2.0
Law, Derek 3657	pi sp mr	2.0	LaStella, Tommy 3367	3b 2b	2.0
Pagan, Angel 2184	lf	1.0	Fowler, Dexter 2698	cf	1.5
Beckham, Gordon 2620	2b	1.0	Szczur, Matt 3704	cf	1.5
Strickland, Hunter 3546	pi mr	1.0	Wood, Travis 2777	pi mr sp	1.0
Okert, Steven 3745	pi mr	1.0	Heyward, Jason 2695	rf	1.0
Osich, Josh 3677	pi mr	1.0
Totals		112.7	Totals		139.5

What are those numbers after players' names?

Giants' Blach tops players for Saturday Oct. 1; Nationals' Scherzer wraps up Box-Toppers Player of the Year as Kershaw loses

Shawn Plank October 2, 2016

Giants pitcher Ty Blach 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 Oct. 1:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	25.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	24.4
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	died*	22.4
4	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	22.1
5	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	21.2
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	17.8
7	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	16.7
8	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	16.4
9	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	15.7
10	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1

What are those numbers after players' names?
* Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident Sept. 25. His team was the Miami Marlins.

Also Saturday, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer secured Box-Toppers Player of the Year honors for 2016 after Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw failed to earn Box-Toppers points in his team’s loss Saturday against the Giants. Scherzer, who starts Sunday, has 25.7 Box-Toppers points. Kershaw finishes second with 24.4.

In addition Saturday, Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon rises to 20th place in career Box-Toppers points (since 1995) after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—Blach pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing three hits, one walk and striking out six, in the 3-0 win over the Dodgers.

This was Blach’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors. Blach made his Major League debut Sept. 5 and was playing in his fourth career game. He is the 3,754th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

American League Player of the Day—Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi struck out eight over six innings, allowing one run, three hits and no walks, in the 4-1 win over the Rangers.

American League Batter of the Day—Joey Wendle of the Athletics doubled and went 4-for-5, scoring twice and driving in two runs, in the 9-8, 10-inning win over the Mariners.

This was Wendle’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors. Wendle made his Major League debut Aug. 31 and was playing in his 27th career game. He is the 3,756th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

National League Batter of the Day—Eugenio Suarez of the Reds hit a two-run homer and went 1-for-2, driving in three runs, in the 7-4 win over the Cubs.

Rankings—Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw had a chance to take the Box-Toppers season points lead on the next-to-last day of the season Saturday if he earned NL Player of the Day or overall Player of the Day. But Kershaw did not earn points as the Dodgers lost to the Giants, 3-0.

Kershaw (7IP 6H 3R BB 4K L) had a Box-Toppers game score of −1.0. Player of the Game was overall Player of the Day, Giants pitcher Ty Blach.

Kershaw finishes the season with 24.4 Box-Toppers points, the second year in a row he finishes second. In 2015, he had 25.7 points, behind leader Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta (29.1). Previously, Kershaw led NL pitchers for four straight seasons (2011-2014) and led all players in three seasons (2011, 2013 and 2014).

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, who took the season lead from Kershaw on Aug. 25, will end the season atop Box-Toppers season player rankings for the first time in his career. He has 25.7 Box-Toppers points and has a chance to earn up to 2.0 more Sunday in his start against the Marlins.

This will be the second time Scherzer has ended the season as a Box-Toppers category leader. In 2013, Scherzer, then with the Tigers, led AL pitchers in points with 18.1. (He finished fifth in 2013 in overall points when Kershaw led with 21.7.)

All-time leaders

Here are Box-Toppers top 20 players since record keeping began in 1995:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Randy Johnson	pi sp	retired	278.8
2	Pedro Martinez	pi sp	retired	244.8
3	Curt Schilling	pi sp	retired	194.1
4	Alex Rodriguez	dh	released	187.0
5	CC Sabathia	pi sp	nyy al	185.0
6	Clayton Kershaw	pi sp	lad nl	183.7
7	Albert Pujols	1b dh	ana al	182.3
8	Roy Halladay	pi sp	retired	170.7
9	Felix Hernandez	pi sp	sea al	168.7
10	Manny Ramirez	lf dh	retired	167.2
11	Johan Santana	pi sp	free agent	166.6
12	Roger Clemens	pi sp	retired	164.8
13	John Smoltz	pi sp	retired	160.9
14	Tim Hudson	pi sp	retired	157.0
15	Zack Greinke	pi sp	ari nl	156.1
16	Mike Mussina	pi sp	retired	155.6
17	Barry Bonds	lf	retired	153.2
18	Greg Maddux	pi sp	retired	151.7
19	Chipper Jones	3b	retired	149.0
20	Bartolo Colon	pi sp	nym nl	148.5

List of top 100 players since 1995 (as of July 15, 2016's All-Star break)

Notable—Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon rises to 20th place in career Box-Toppers points (since tracking began in 1995) after earning Player of the Game honors Saturday.

Colon (5IP 5H 2R 0BB 6K W in the 5-3 win over the Phillies) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 148.5 for his career. He passes Javier Vazquez (148.3) on the “all-time” list and now trails Chipper Jones (149.0).

Colon now has 8.4 Box-Toppers points on the season, 27th among NL pitchers.

Also notable—Two players with 10 or more Box-Toppers points on the season earned Player of the Game honors Saturday:

Twins pitcher Hector Santiago (6.1IP 3H 0R 3BB 6K W in the 6-0 win over the White Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 11.4 for the season, most among the 15 who earned Player of the Game honors Saturday. Santiago ranks 34th among all players and 13th among AL pitchers.
Astros pitcher Collin McHugh (7.2IP 3H 0R BB 5K W in the 3-0 win over the Angels) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.7 for the season. He becomes the 51st player this season with 10 or more points. He ranks 39th among all players and 17th among AL pitchers.

Debut—Braves pitcher Aaron Blair also made his Box-Toppers debut Saturday, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors.

Blair (6IP 4H 2R BB 10K W in the 5-3 win over the Tigers) made his Major League debut April 24 and was playing in his 15th career game. He is the 3,755th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Blach earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Odorizzi earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Wendle and Suarez 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

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    10/1
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    10.0
    SF 3, LAD 0
    Ty Blach (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    3
    0
    0
    1
    6
  

    AL
    9.0
    TB 4, TEX 1
    Jake Odorizzi (W,10-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    1
    1
    0
    8
  

    
    8.2
    HOU 3, LAA 0
    Collin McHugh (W,13-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.2
    3
    0
    0
    1
    5
  

    
    7.0
    ARI 9, SD 5
    Archie Bradley (W,8-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    7
    2
    2
    0
    11
  

    
    7.0
    ATL 5, DET 3
    Aaron Blair (W,2-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    4
    2
    2
    1
    10
  

    
    6.1
    MIN 6, CHW 0
    Hector Santiago (W,13-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    3
    0
    0
    3
    6
  

    
    4.0
    `MIL 4, COL 3 (10)
    Wily Peralta
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    4.0
    `STL 4, PIT 3
    Trevor Rosenthal
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    3.0
    2
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    BAT
    3.0
    OAK 9, SEA 8 (10)
    Joey Wendle, 2B
    5
    2
    4
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    3.0
    CIN 7, CHC 4
    Eugenio Suarez, 3B
    2
    1
    1
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    `CLE 6, KC 3
    Andrew Miller (H,25)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.1
    WSH 2, MIA 1
    Mark Melancon (S,46)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    2.0
    TOR 4, BOS 3
    Kevin Pillar, CF
    3
    0
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    NYY 7, BAL 3
    Chase Headley, 3B
    3
    2
    2
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    NYM 5, PHI 3
    Bartolo Colon (W,15-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    5
    2
    2
    0
    6
  

    
    
    `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	+/-
Santiago, Hector 3109	pi sp	min al	11.4	19.4	31.8	31.8	3.4
McHugh, Collin 3316	pi sp	hou al	10.7	20.4	32.2	32.2	1.0
Suarez, Eugenio 3355	3b	cin nl	8.5	11.5	14.0	14.0	5.5
Colon, Bartolo	pi sp	nym nl	8.4	15.1	57.0	148.5	1.7
Miller, Andrew 2436	pi cp mr	cle al	8.0	12.0	16.0	23.0	4.0
Odorizzi, Jake 3291	pi sp	tb al	6.4	15.1	26.1	26.1	-2.3
Headley, Chase 2552	3b	nyy al	4.5	6.5	18.0	28.5	2.5
Rosenthal, Trevor 3124	pi cp	stl nl	4.0	10.0	22.0	22.0	-2.0
Melancon, Mark 2792	pi cp	dc nl	3.0	10.0	23.0	24.0	-4.0
Bradley, Archie 3438	pi sp	ari nl	3.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	2.0
Pillar, Kevin 3486	cf	tor al	2.0	5.5	5.5	5.5	-1.5
Blach, Ty 3754	pi sp	sf nl	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Wendle, Joey 3756	2b	oak al	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Peralta, Wily 3123	pi sp	mil nl	1.0	3.0	19.0	19.0	-1.0
Blair, Aaron 3755	pi sp	atl nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Tigers' Justin Verlander tops players for Tuesday, Sept. 27; Nationals' Scherzer extends Box-Toppers points lead

Shawn Plank September 28, 2016

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander 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. 27:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	25.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	24.4
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	died*	22.4
4	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	22.1
5	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	21.2
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	17.8
7	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	16.7
8	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	15.7
9	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	15.4
10	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1

What are those numbers after players' names?
* Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident Sept. 25. His team was the Miami Marlins.

Also Tuesday, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer extended his lead in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors. But Scherzer (25.7 Box-Toppers points) is now just 1.3 points ahead of second-place player Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (24.4), meaning Kershaw could still pass Scherzer for the season points title in his scheduled start Saturday. The season ends Sunday.

In addition Tuesday, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—Verlander pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out 12 and allowing four hits and one walk, in the 12-0 win over the Indians.

Verlander earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 14.7 for the season, rising to 12th place among all players and fourth place among American League pitchers.

Verlander also rises to 28th place in career Box-Toppers points among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his points Tuesday, he now has 139.3 points, passing 29th-ranked player Andy Pettitte (138.5). He trails 27th-ranked player, Giants pitcher Jake Peavy (141.8).

National League Player of the Day—Giants pitcher Matt Moore struck out 11 over 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run, six hits and no walks, in the 12-3 win over the Rockies.

Moore earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 11.4 for the season. He becomes the 49th player in 2016 with 10 or more Box-Toppers points and rises to 33rd place among all players, 16th among NL pitchers.

National League Batter of the Day—Hunter Renfroe of the Padres hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in the 7-1 win over the Dodgers. Renfroe went 2-for-4.

This was Renfroe’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors. Renfroe made his Major League debut Sept. 21 and was playing in his sixth career game. He is the 3,749th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

American League Batter of the Day—Tim Anderson of the White Sox homered, doubled and went 3-for-5, scoring twice and driving in three runs, in the 13-6 win over the Rays.

Best seasons
Here are all players who have earned 25 or more Box-Toppers points in a single season since 1995, ranked by their single-season Box-Toppers point total. Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer’s 2016 point total of 25.7 now is tied for the 20th-best in a single season. 
 





  
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    Rank
    Player
    Team
    Pos
    Year
    BTP
  

    1
    Randy Johnson
    Dbacks
    pi sp
    2000
    33.7
  

    1
    Randy Johnson
    Dbacks
    pi sp
    2002
    33.7
  

    3
    Pedro Martinez
    Red Sox
    pi sp
    2000
    33.5
  

    4
    Randy Johnson
    Dbacks
    pi sp
    1999
    31.5
  

    4
    Clayton Kershaw
    Dodgers
    pi sp
    2014
    31.5
  

    6
    Pedro Martinez
    Red Sox
    pi sp
    1999
    31.4
  

    7
    Randy Johnson
    Dbacks
    pi sp
    2001
    29.4
  

    8
    Jake Arrieta
    Cubs
    pi sp
    2015
    29.1
  

    9
    Pedro Martinez
    Red Sox
    pi sp
    2002
    28.8
  

    10
    Curt Schilling
    Dbacks
    pi sp
    2002
    28.4
  

    11
    Roger Clemens
    Blue Jays
    pi sp
    1997
    27.4
  

    12
    Johan Santana
    Twins
    pi sp
    2004
    26.8
  

    13
    Pedro Martinez
    Expos
    pi sp
    1997
    26.7
  

    13
    CC Sabathia
    Indians/Brewers
    pi sp
    2008
    26.7
  

    15
    Randy Johnson
    Mariners/Astros
    pi sp
    1998
    26.4
  

    16
    John Smoltz
    Braves
    pi sp
    1996
    26.1
  

    16
    Clayton Kershaw
    Dodgers
    pi sp
    2011
    26.1
  

    18
    Roger Clemens
    Blue Jays
    pi sp
    1998
    25.8
  

    18
    Corey Kluber
    Indians
    pi sp
    2014
    25.8
  

    20
    Johan Santana
    Twins
    pi sp
    2006
    25.7
  

    20
    Clayton Kershaw
    Dodgers
    pi sp
    2015
    25.7
  

    20
    *Max Scherzer
    Nationals
    pi sp
    2016
    25.7
  

    23
    Cliff Lee
    Phillies
    pi sp
    2011
    25.4
  

    
    * Current season
  
 

Box-Toppers points leader—Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer extended his lead in Box-Toppers points for the season after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday. Scherzer now has 25.7 Box-Toppers points, the 23rd time in Box-Toppers’ 22-season history that a player has earned 25 or more Box-Toppers points in a season.

Scherzer (6IP 6H 2R 2BB 10K W in the 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks) is now 1.3 points ahead of second-place player, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (24.4). Kershaw is scheduled to start Saturday, meaning he could pass Scherzer if he earns NL Player of the Day (worth 1.7 points) or overall Player of the Day (worth 2.0 points). However, Scherzer is also in line to make his final start of the season Sunday.

Scherzer took the Box-Toppers points lead from Kershaw on Aug. 25. Kershaw had been in the lead since May 7 and raced to a commanding lead with 20.0 points by the end of June, but went on the disabled list for two months after that, allowing Scherzer to catch and pass him.

Scherzer’s 25.7 points now ranks tied for 20th among the highest single-season Box-Toppers points since tracking began in 1995. Two other players achieved 25.7 in a single season—Johan Santana of the Twins in 2006 and Kershaw in 2015. (See the Best seasons chart.)

Scherzer also now has 131.7 career Box-Toppers points, 31st-most since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. He trails 30th-ranked player Jason Giambi (133.4).

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

Syndergaard (6IP 5H R 0BB 8K W in the 12-1 win over the Marlins) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 16.7 for the season, passing Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta (15.7) on the season top 10 list and now trails sixth-place player, Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels (17.8). Syndergaard ranks fourth among NL pitchers.

Notable—Angels pitcher Ricky Nolasco now has 11.4 Box-Toppers points on the season after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday.

Nolasco (8IP 5H R 2BB 4K W in the 8-1 win over the Athletics) ranks 32nd among all players and 13th among AL pitchers.

Debut—Raul A. Mondesi of the Royals made his Box-Toppers debut Tuesday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Mondesi (BB R 0-0 in the 4-3, 11-inning win over the Twins) made his Major League debut Oct. 30, 2015, and was playing in his 46th career game. He is the 3,750th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Mondesi is the son of outfielder Raul R. Mondesi, who played from 1993 to 2005. The elder Mondesi earned 59.9 career Box-Toppers points from 1995, when tracking began, through 2003, when he last earned points.

Scoring—Verlander earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Moore earns 1.7 points for being NL Player of the Day. Renfroe and Anderson 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

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/27
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    14.2
    DET 12, CLE 0
    Justin Verlander (W,16-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.2
    4
    0
    0
    1
    12
  

    NL
    10.2
    SF 12, COL 3
    Matt Moore (W,12-12)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.2
    6
    1
    1
    0
    11
  

    BAT
    7.0
    SD 7, LAD 1
    Hunter Renfroe, RF
    4
    2
    2
    7
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    7.0
    NYM 12, MIA 1
    Noah Syndergaard (W,14-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    1
    1
    0
    8
  

    
    6.0
    TOR 5, BAL 1
    Aaron Sanchez (W,14-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    5
    1
    1
    3
    10
  

    
    5.0
    STL 12, CIN 5
    Jhonny Peralta, 3B
    4
    2
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    LAA 8, OAK 1
    Ricky Nolasco (W,8-14)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    5
    1
    0
    2
    4
  

    
    4.0
    WSH 4, ARI 2
    Max Scherzer (W,19-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    6
    2
    2
    2
    10
  

    BAT
    3.0
    CHW 13, TB 6
    Tim Anderson, SS
    5
    2
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    ATL 7, PHI 6
    Tyler Flowers, C
    4
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    NYY 6, BOS 4
    Tyler Austin, 1B
    3
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    HOU 8, SEA 4
    George Springer, RF
    5
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    `CHC 6, PIT 4
    Trevor Cahill (H,3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    1.0
    TEX 6, MIL 4
    Carlos Gomez, LF
    4
    1
    1
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    KC 4, MIN 3 (11)
    Raul Mondesi, 2B
    0
    1
    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	+/-
Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	25.7	46.7	111.3	131.7	4.7
Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	16.7	27.1	27.1	27.1	6.3
Verlander, Justin 2112	pi sp	det al	14.7	21.1	84.3	139.3	8.3
Nolasco, Ricky 2125	pi sp	ana al	11.4	13.4	34.1	87.2	9.4
Moore, Matt 2975	pi sp	sf nl	11.4	11.4	36.9	36.9	11.4
Sanchez, Aaron 3392	pi sp	tor al	9.7	11.7	13.7	13.7	7.7
Springer, George 3337	rf	hou al	6.5	7.5	10.5	10.5	5.5
Anderson, Tim 3659	ss	chi al	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5
Gomez, Carlos 2397	lf cf	tex al	3.0	9.0	19.5	30.5	-3.0
Cahill, Trevor 2658	pi mr sp	chi nl	3.0	4.0	27.1	40.2	2.0
Flowers, Tyler 3101	ca	atl nl	2.5	3.5	11.0	11.0	1.5
Austin, Tyler 3732	1b	nyy al	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Renfroe, Hunter 3749	rf	sd nl	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Peralta, Jhonny 1815	3b ss	stl nl	1.0	1.0	12.0	39.4	1.0
Mondesi, Raul A. 3750	2b	kc al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Cubs' Jake Arrieta tops players for Friday, Sept. 23, rises to 7th in Box-Toppers player rankings

Shawn Plank September 24, 2016

Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is Friday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day and rises to seventh place 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. 23:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	24.7
2	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	22.7
3	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	22.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	21.2
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	21.1
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	17.8
7	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	15.7
8	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym al	15.7
9	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	15.4
10	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	15.1

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Friday, Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels maintained his spot of sixth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out 10 and allowing five hits and one walk, in the 5-0 win over the Cardinals.

Arrieta earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 15.7 for the season, rising to seventh place in season player rankings, fifth among National League pitchers.

With Arrieta rising back into Box-Toppers top 10 list, he displaces Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ (14.7 points) from the list, who falls to 11th.

Arrieta led all players in Box-Toppers points in 2015 with 29.1. This was Arrieta’s first Player of the Game honor in a month—he was Player of the Day on Aug. 23.

American League Player of the Day—Mariners pitcher James Paxton struck out nine over seven innings, allowing one run, five hits and no walks, in the 10-1 win over the Twins.

American League Batter of the Day—Jose Ramirez of the Indians homered, doubled and went 2-for-5, scoring three times and driving in four runs, in the 10-4 win over the White Sox.

National League Batter of the Day—Wil Myers of the Padres hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-3, scoring twice, in the 7-2 win over the Giants.

Myers earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 9.7 for the season. He ranks fifth among NL batters, 1.0 point behind leader Nolan Arenado of the Rockies (10.7).

Rankings—Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels maintained his rank of sixth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday.

Hamels (7IP 6H 0R 2BB 7K W in the 3-0 win over the Athletics) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 17.8 for the season. He ranks second among AL pitchers, behind Corey Kluber of the Indians (21.2).

Hamels now has 144.0 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 24th place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. He passes Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (143.9) on the “all-time” list and now trails 23rd-ranked player David Ortiz of the Red Sox (144.9). Hamels also rises to eighth place in career points among active players.

Hamels has earned Box-Toppers points for 11 straight seasons and in each season has earned 10 or more points. The 17.8 points he’s earned in 2016 is his best season; his previous best was 2011 with the Phillies when he had 15.8.

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

Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer (7IP 8H R 0BB 9K W in the 8-3 win over the Royals) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 12.7 for the season. He ranks 23rd among all players and seventh among AL pitchers.
Red Sox pitcher Drew Pomeranz (5IP 4H R 0BB 4K W in the 2-1 win over the Red Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 12.4 for the season. He ranks 28th among all players and 11th among AL pitchers.

Also notable—Blue Jays pitcher Francisco Liriano now has 103.2 career Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors Friday.

Liriano (6IP 3H 0R 2BB 6K in the 9-0 win over the Yankees) rises to 66th place among all players since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995, passing Miguel Tejada (102.3) on the “all-time” list. He trails 65th-ranked player Jamie Moyer (104.0). Liriano has 8.0 Box-Toppers points on the season, 24th among AL pitchers.

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

Rafael Ortega of the Angels (PH 2B 1-1 3BI in the 10-6 win over the Astros) made his Major League debut Sept. 30, 2012, and was playing in his 60th career game. He is the 3,746th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.
Alen Hanson of the Pirates (2-3 2R in the 6-5, 11-inning win over the Nationals) made his Major League debut May 16 and was playing in his 18th career game. He is the 3,747th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Arrieta earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Paxton earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Ramirez and Myers 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

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    9/23
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    11.0
    CHC 5, STL 0
    Jake Arrieta (W,18-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    5
    0
    0
    1
    10
  

    AL
    9.0
    SEA 10, MIN 1
    James Paxton (W,5-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    5
    1
    1
    0
    9
  

    
    7.0
    TOR 9, NYY 0
    Francisco Liriano (W,8-13)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    0
    0
    2
    6
  

    
    6.0
    DET 8, KC 3
    Michael Fulmer (W,11-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    8
    1
    1
    0
    9
  

    
    6.0
    TEX 3, OAK 0
    Cole Hamels (W,15-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    6
    0
    0
    2
    7
  

    
    5.2
    NYM 10, PHI 5
    Hansel Robles (S,1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    2.2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    BAT
    4.0
    CLE 10, CHW 4
    Jose Ramirez, 3B
    5
    3
    2
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    4.0
    SD 7, SF 2
    Wil Myers, 1B
    3
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    LAA 10, HOU 6
    Rafael Ortega, PH
    1
    0
    1
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    BOS 2, TB 1
    Drew Pomeranz (W,11-12)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.0
    4
    1
    1
    0
    4
  

    
    3.0
    LAD 5, COL 2
    Ross Stripling (W,5-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    3.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    4
  

    
    3.0
    `BAL 3, ARI 2 (12)
    Mychal Givens
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    ATL 3, MIA 2
    Brandon Cunniff (W,2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    1.0
    MIL 5, CIN 4
    Chris Carter, 1B
    4
    1
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    PIT 6, WSH 5 (11)
    Alen Hanson, 2B
    3
    2
    2
    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	+/-
Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	17.8	33.2	84.8	144.0	2.4
Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	15.7	44.8	72.5	75.5	-13.4
Fulmer, Michael 3640	pi sp	det al	12.7	12.7	12.7	12.7	12.7
Pomeranz, Drew 3061	pi sp	bos al	12.4	15.4	23.4	23.4	9.4
Myers, Wil 3228	1b	sd nl	9.7	12.7	18.2	18.2	6.7
Carter, Chris 2828	1b	mil nl	9.5	10.5	28.4	29.4	8.5
Liriano, Francisco 2104	pi sp	tor al	8.0	22.9	63.4	103.2	-6.9
Stripling, Ross 3629	pi sp	lad nl	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.7
Paxton, James 3280	pi sp	sea al	4.4	5.4	11.1	11.1	3.4
Givens, Mychal 3599	pi mr	bal al	2.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	1.0
Cunniff, Brandon 3698	pi mr	atl nl	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Ramirez, Jose 3436	3b	cle al	1.5	4.0	5.0	5.0	-1.0
Robles, Hansel 3580	pi cp	nym nl	1.0	3.7	3.7	3.7	-1.7
Hanson, Alen 3747	2b	pit nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Ortega, Rafael 3746	ph	ana al	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. 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.

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


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?

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?

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?

Nationals' Max Scherzer passes Kershaw for Box-Toppers points lead after topping players for Thursday, Aug. 25

Shawn Plank August 26, 2016

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is Thursday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day and takes the season lead in Box-Toppers points, passing Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who had led since May 7.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2016 season as of Aug. 25:


	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 Thursday, Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels rises to fifth in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning American League Player of the Day honors.

Player of the Day—Scherzer pitched eight scoreless innings, striking out 10 and allowing two hits and no walks, in the 4-0 win over the Orioles.

Scherzer earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 20.7 for the season, rising from second to first among all players. Scherzer becomes the second player this season to 20 points; previous leader Kershaw (20.0 Box-Toppers points) did it first it more than two months ago on June 20, the last time he earned Player of the Game before going on the disabled list.

Kershaw has led all players in Box-Toppers points this season since May 7, nearly 16 weeks, despite going on the disabled list two months ago on June 26. Kershaw is eligible to return from the disabled list Saturday and reports indicate he could return to pitch by mid-September.

Kershaw finished second in Box-Toppers points in 2015 with 25.7, behind overall leader, Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta (29.1). Kershaw led all National League players in Box-Toppers points from 2011 to 2014 and led all players in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Lead changes
Here are the season’s lead changes among players in Box-Toppers points. Chart shows the date and the player’s Box-Toppers point (BTP) total when they took the lead.  

    Date
    Player
    Team
    BTP
  
    4/3
    Francisco Liriano
    pit nl
    2.0
  
    4/4
    Clayton Kershaw
    lad nl
    2.0
  
    4/14
    Vince Velasquez
    phi nl
    4.0
  
    4/21
    Jake Arrieta
    chi nl
    5.0
  
    5/1
    Clayton Kershaw
    lad nl
    6.0
  
    5/3
    Jake Arrieta
    chi nl
    6.0
  
    5/7
    Clayton Kershaw
    lad nl
    7.0
  
    8/25
    Max Scherzer
    dc nl
    20.7

This is Scherzer’s third straight 20-point season. He earned 22.1 points in 2014 with the Tigers, when he ranked fifth overall and second among American League pitchers. He earned 21.0 points in 2015 with the Nationals, when he ranked sixth overall and fourth among NL pitchers.

Scherzer now has 126.7 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 35th place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his points Thursday, he passes two players on the “all-time” list—Angels pitcher Jered Weaver (125.1) and Mariano Rivera (126.4). Scherzer now trails 34th-ranked player Roy Oswalt (127.2).

American League Player of the Day—Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels pitched eight scoreless innings, striking out eight and allowing two hits and no walks, in the 9-0 win over the Indians.

Hamels earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 16.8 for the season, rising to fifth among all players and maintaining his spot in second place among AL pitchers, behind Corey Kluber of the Indians (17.2).

Hamels also now has 143.0 career Box-Toppers points, rising to 23rd place among players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his points Thursday, he passes three players (all active) on the “all-time” list—Giants pitcher Jake Peavy (141.8), David Ortiz of the Red Sox (142.9) and Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (142.9). Hamels now has the seventh-most career Box-Toppers points among active players. Hamels now trails 22nd-ranked player, Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon (145.8).

National League Batter of the Day—Alejandro De Aza of the Mets hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-4, scoring twice and driving in five runs, in the 10-6 win over the Cardinals.

American League Batter of the Day—James McCann of the Tigers hit a three-run homer, doubled and went 4-for-5, scoring twice and driving in three runs, in the 8-5 win over the Twins.

Debut—Rays pitcher Tyler Sturdevant made his Box-Toppers debut Thursday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Sturdevant (0.2IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K ND in the 2-1 win over the Red Sox) made his Major League debut May 24 and was playing in his 16th career game. He is the 3,718th 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 Hamels earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. De Aza and McCann each earn 1.5 points for being their league’s 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

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/25
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    16.0
    WSH 4, BAL 0
    Max Scherzer (W,14-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    2
    0
    0
    0
    10
  

    AL
    14.0
    TEX 9, CLE 0
    Cole Hamels (W,14-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    2
    0
    0
    0
    8
  

    
    11.2
    SF 4, LAD 0
    Matt Moore (W,8-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.2
    1
    0
    0
    3
    7
  

    BAT
    5.0
    NYM 10, STL 6
    Alejandro De Aza, CF
    4
    2
    2
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    ATL 3, ARI 1
    Matt Wisler (W,5-11)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    2
    1
    1
    3
    4
  

    BAT
    4.0
    DET 8, MIN 5
    James McCann, C
    5
    2
    4
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    LAA 6, TOR 3
    Mike Trout, CF
    4
    1
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    KC 5, MIA 2
    Kelvin Herrera (S,9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.2
    `TB 2, BOS 1
    Tyler Sturdevant
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    0.2
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    2.0
    PIT 3, MIL 2 (10)
    Andrew McCutchen, CF
    5
    1
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    CHW 7, SEA 6
    Tim Anderson, SS
    4
    2
    3
    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	+/-
Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	20.7	41.7	106.3	126.7	-0.3
Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	16.8	32.2	83.8	143.0	1.4
Trout, Mike 2949	cf	ana al	8.5	20.5	45.0	45.0	-3.5
Moore, Matt 2975	pi sp	sf nl	7.7	7.7	33.2	33.2	7.7
McCutchen, Andrew 2637	cf	pit nl	5.5	16.0	46.7	52.4	-5.0
Wisler, Matt 3522	pi sp	atl nl	3.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	0.0
Anderson, Tim 3659	ss	chi al	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
McCann, James 3649	ca	det al	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
De Aza, Alejandro 2950	cf	nym nl	1.5	3.0	11.7	11.7	0.0
Herrera, Kelvin 3149	pi cp	kc al	1.0	1.0	5.0	5.0	1.0
Sturdevant, Tyler 3718	pi mr	tb al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Cubs' Jake Arrieta tops players for Tuesday, Aug. 23, rises to 9th in Box-Toppers rankings

Shawn Plank August 24, 2016

Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is Tuesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day and rises to ninth place 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. 23:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	20.0
2	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	18.7
3	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	17.2
4	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	16.4
5	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	15.4
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	15.1
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 Tuesday, Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia earned his first Player of the Game honor since becoming the active career Box-Toppers points leader after Alex Rodriguez was released earlier this month.

Player of the Day—Arrieta pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing two hits, three walks and striking out six, in the 5-3 win over the Padres.

Arrieta earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 13.7 for the season. His rise to ninth place displaces Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ (12.7 points) from the top 10. Arrieta ranks seventh among NL pitchers. Arrieta led all players in Box-Toppers points in 2015 with 29.1.

American League Player of the Day—Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea struck out eight over seven innings, allowing one run, three hits and two walks, in the 9-1 win over the Indians.

National League Batter of the Day—Andrew Toles of the Dodgers homered, doubled and went 2-for-2, scoring twice and driving in three runs, in the 9-5 win over the Giants.

American League Batter of the Day—Victor Martinez of the Tigers homered and went 3-for-5, scoring three times and driving in two runs, in the 8-3 win over the Twins.

Sabathia—Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia earned his first Player of the Game honor Tuesday since becoming the active career Box-Toppers points leader on Aug. 13, when previous active leader Alex Rodriguez was released.

Sabathia (7IP 3H R B 7K W in the 5-1 win over the Mariners) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 183.0 for his career, ranking fifth among all players since 1995 when Box-Toppers tracking began (see updated "all-time" top 20 list on the homepage). He trails fourth-place player (and previous active leader) Rodriguez (187.0). Sabathia leads second-ranked active leader Albert Pujols of the Angels (181.3) by only 1.7 points.

Sabathia had a Box-Toppers game score Tuesday of +8.0, but Mariners pitcher Sean Manaea, who also had a game score of +8.0, won AL Player of the Day honors over Sabathia because he had more strikeouts—eight vs. seven.

Streak—Adam Jones of the Orioles has now earned Box-Toppers points in 10 straight seasons after earning his first Player of the Game honor of 2016 Tuesday.

Jones (4-5 R BI in the 8-1 win over the Nationals) earned his first Box-Toppers points in 2007 with the Mariners and has 49.5 career points, fifth among active AL outfielders. His best year was 2014 with the Orioles, when he had 11.5 points, third among AL batters. In 2015, he had 5.5 points with the Orioles.

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

Braves pitcher Jose Ramirez (1IP H 0R 0BB 3K W in the 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks) made his Major League debut June 4, 2014, and was playing in his 32nd career game. He is the 3,716th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.
Orlando Arcia of the Brewers (PH 2B 1-1 R in the 6-4 win over the Rockies) made his Major League debut Aug. 2 and was playing in his 20th career game. He is the 3,717th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Arrieta earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Manaea earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Toles and Martinez 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

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/23
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    9.0
    CHC 5, SD 3
    Jake Arrieta (W,16-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    2
    0
    0
    3
    6
  

    AL
    8.0
    OAK 9, CLE 1
    Sean Manaea (W,5-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    1
    1
    2
    8
  

    
    8.0
    NYY 5, SEA 1
    CC Sabathia (W,8-10)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    1
    1
    1
    7
  

    
    6.2
    CHW 9, PHI 1
    Carlos Rodon (W,4-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.2
    3
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    
    6.1
    BOS 2, TB 1
    Clay Buchholz (W,5-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    5
    1
    1
    2
    9
  

    
    6.0
    PIT 7, HOU 1
    Ivan Nova (W,10-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    6
    1
    1
    1
    6
  

    
    6.0
    CIN 3, TEX 0
    Dan Straily (W,10-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    0
    0
    2
    5
  

    BAT
    5.0
    LAD 9, SF 5
    Andrew Toles, PH-CF-LF
    2
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    KC 1, MIA 0
    Yordano Ventura (W,9-9)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    6
    0
    0
    1
    6
  

    BAT
    3.0
    DET 8, MIN 3
    Victor Martinez, DH
    5
    3
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    NYM 7, STL 4
    Jose Reyes, 3B
    4
    3
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    TOR 7, LAA 2
    Russell Martin, DH
    3
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    ATL 7, ARI 4
    Jose Ramirez (W,2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    
    1.0
    BAL 8, WSH 1
    Adam Jones, CF
    5
    1
    4
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    MIL 6, COL 4
    Orlando Arcia, PH
    1
    1
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	13.7	42.8	70.5	73.5	-15.4
Martin, Russell 2202	ca	tor al	9.5	14.5	31.0	52.0	4.5
Martinez, Victor 1695	dh	det al	7.5	11.0	30.9	71.1	4.0
Ventura, Yordano 3294	pi sp	kc al	7.0	18.7	28.4	28.4	-4.7
Manaea, Sean 3637	pi sp	oak al	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.7
Straily, Dan 3080	pi sp	cin nl	5.0	5.0	15.7	15.7	5.0
Sabathia, C.C. 1492	pi sp	nyy al	4.0	9.7	44.5	183.0	-1.7
Nova, Ivan 2796	pi sp	pit nl	4.0	5.0	26.1	27.1	3.0
Rodon, Carlos 3494	pi sp	chi al	3.0	11.1	11.1	11.1	-5.1
Buchholz, Clay 2363	pi sp mr	bos al	3.0	9.0	37.2	56.9	-3.0
Toles, Andrew 3692	rf cf lf ph	lad nl	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Jones, Adam 2347	cf	bal al	1.0	6.5	37.5	49.5	-4.5
Reyes, Jose 1759	3b ss	nym nl	1.0	1.0	13.0	29.0	1.0
Arcia, Orlando 3717	ph	mil nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Ramirez, Jose A. 3716	pi mr	atl nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Top Cubs in World Series Game 6: Cubs 9, Indians 3

World Series Game 7, Cubs at Indians, series tied, 3-3

Game 6 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Top Cubs in World Series Game 5: Cubs 3, Indians 2

World Series Game 6, Indians lead Cubs in series, 3-2

Game 5 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Top Indians in World Series Game 4: Indians 7, Cubs 2

World Series Game 5, Indians lead Cubs in series, 3-1

Game 4 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Top Cubs in World Series Game 2: Cubs 5, Indians 1

World Series Game 3, Indians at Cubs, series tied, 1-1

Game 2 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Top Indians in World Series Game 1: Indians 6, Cubs 0

World Series Game 2, Indians lead Cubs, 1-0

National League Championship Series Game 3: Dodgers 6, Cubs 0

American League Championship Series Game 4: Blue Jays 5, Indians 1

Top player from each game

American League Championship Series Game 5: Indians lead Blue Jays, 3-1

National League Championship Series Game 4, Dodgers lead Cubs, 2-1

Top player from each game

American League Championship Series Game 4: Indians lead Blue Jays, 3-0

National League Championship Series Game 3, Cubs at Dodgers, series tied, 1-1

National League Division Series Game 3: Nationals 8, Dodgers 3

National League Division Series Game 3: Giants 6, Cubs 5 (13 innings)

American League Division Series Game 3: Indians 4, Red Sox 3

Top player from each game

NL Division Series Game 4: Nationals lead Dodgers, 2-1

NL Division Series Game 4: Cubs lead Giants, 2-1

ALDS Game 3, Blue Jays 7, Rangers 6 (10 innings)

NLDS Game 2: Nationals 5, Dodgers 2

Top player from each game

NL Division Series Game 3, Nationals at Dodgers, series tied, 1-1

AL Division Series Game 3, Indians lead Red Sox, 2-0

NL Division Series Game 3, Cubs lead Giants, 2-0

Top player from each game

AL Division Series Game 2, Blue Jays lead Rangers, 1-0

AL Division Series Game 2, Indians lead Red Sox, 1-0

NL Division Series Game 1, Dodgers at Nationals

Dodgers vs. Nationals

NL Division Series Game 1, Giants at Cubs

Giants vs. Cubs

Top 10 players

All-time leaders

Top player from each game

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

Top 10 players

Best seasons

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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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Lead changes

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

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.