Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw tops players for Friday, June 2, maintaining first place in Box-Toppers player rankings

Shawn Plank June 3, 2017

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is Friday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day, maintaining his spot atop season player rankings.

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2017 season as of June 2:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	12.7
2	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	10.0
3	Santana, Ervin 2005	pi sp	min al	9.4
4	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	bos al	8.4
5	Greinke, Zack 1871	pi sp	ari nl	7.7
6	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	7.4
7	Keuchel, Dallas 3050	pi sp	hou al	7.4
8	Ray, Robbie 3502	pi sp	ari nl	7.0
9	Wood, Alex 3246	pi sp	lad nl	7.0
10	Vargas, Jason 2055	pi sp	kc al	7.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Friday, three other players rose in Box-Toppers top 10 season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors—Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel and Royals pitcher Jason Vargas.

Player of the Day—Kershaw struck out 14 over seven innings, allowing one run, two hits and one walk, in the 2-1, 12-inning win over the Brewers. Kershaw did not earn the win, picking up a no-decision, because the Dodgers trailed 1-0 when he exited.

Kershaw earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 12.7 for the season, maintaining his first place spot in season player rankings, ahead of second-place player, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (10.0).

Kershaw also now has 196.4 career Box-Toppers points, third among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. He trails second-place player Pedro Martinez (244.8). Kershaw leads all active players in career points.

American League Player of the Day—Danny Valencia of the Mariners homered, doubled and went 3-for-3, scoring three times and driving in five runs, in the 12-4 win over the Rays.

National League Batter of the Day—Elias Diaz of the Pirates hit a three-run homer and doubled in the 12-7 win over the Mets. Diaz went 2-for-5, driving in six runs.

This was Diaz’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time in his career he earned Player of the Game honors. Diaz made his Major League debut Sept. 12, 2015, and was playing in his 10th career game. He is the 3,813rd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

American League Batter of the Day—There is no separate AL Batter of the Day for Friday because the overall AL Player of the Day is batter Danny Valencia.

Rankings—Three other players who earned Player of the Game honors Friday rise in Box-Toppers season player rankings:

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg (7IP 4H 2R 3BB 7K W in the 13-3 win over the Athletics) rises to sixth place (from ninth) with 7.4 season Box-Toppers points. He ranks fourth among NL pitchers.
Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (6IP 3H 0R 2BB 7K W in the 7-1 win over the Rangers) rises to seventh place with 7.4 season Box-Toppers points. He ranks third among AL pitchers.
Royals pitcher Jason Vargas (CG 7H 0R BB 3K W in the 4-0 win over the Indians) rises to 10th place with 7.0 season Box-Toppers points. He ranks fourth among AL pitchers.

Notable—In addition to Kershaw, two other players with 100 or more career Box-Toppers points earned Player of the Game honors Friday:

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (2-2B 3-3 R 4BI in the 15-5 win over the White Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 146.9 career points. Cabrera rises to 22nd place in career Box-Toppers points among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began, passing Jim Thome (146.7) on the “all-time” list. Cabrera now trails 21st-ranked player Javier Vazquez (148.3). Cabrera now rises to sixth place among all batters since 1995 in career Box-Toppers points. He has 2.0 Box-Toppers points for the season.
Cubs pitcher John Lackey (7IP 4H 2R 2BB 6K ND in the 3-2 win over the Cardinals) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 124.2 career points, rising to 38th among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his point Friday, he passes Gary Sheffield (124.1) on the “all-time” list and now trails 37th-ranked player Mariano Rivera (126.4). Lackey has 3.0 Box-Toppers points for the season.

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

About Box-Toppers—Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

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 player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score 





  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    6/2
    Score
    Game
    Player of the Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    16.0
    `LAD 2, MIL 1 (F/12)
    Clayton Kershaw
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    2
    1
    1
    1
    14
  

    AL
    8.0
    SEA 12, TB 4
    Danny Valencia, 1B
    3
    3
    3
    5
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    8.0
    HOU 7, TEX 1
    Dallas Keuchel (W,9-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    3
    0
    0
    2
    7
  

    
    6.0
    SF 10, PHI 0
    Ty Blach (W,4-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    7
    0
    0
    0
    4
  

    
    5.0
    DET 15, CHW 5
    Miguel Cabrera, 1B
    3
    1
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.1
    BAL 3, BOS 2
    Alec Asher (W,2-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    3
    2
    2
    0
    5
  

    BAT
    4.0
    PIT 12, NYM 7
    Elias Diaz, C
    5
    1
    2
    6
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    TOR 7, NYY 5
    Justin Smoak, 1B
    3
    2
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    4.0
    KC 4, CLE 0
    Jason Vargas (W,7-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    7
    0
    0
    1
    3
  

    
    3.0
    MIN 11, LAA 5
    Joe Mauer, 1B
    5
    1
    4
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    MIA 7, ARI 5
    Giancarlo Stanton, RF
    3
    3
    2
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    WSH 13, OAK 3
    Stephen Strasburg (W,7-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    2
    2
    3
    7
  

    
    3.0
    `CHC 3, STL 2
    John Lackey
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    2
    2
    2
    6
  

    
    2.0
    SD 8, COL 5
    Allen Cordoba, LF
    4
    1
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    CIN 3, ATL 2 (F/10)
    Devin Mesoraco, C
    1
    1
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

MLB—Overall Box-Toppers Player of the Day, worth 2.0 total Box-Toppers points.

  AL—Overall American League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box-Toppers points.

  NL—Overall National League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box-Toppers points.

  BAT—Top AL or NL Batter of the Day, worth 1.5 total Box-Toppers points.

All other players listed here earn Player of the Game honors, worth 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

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

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 (’17). Also shown are each players’ Box-Toppers point total for this season and last (’16-17), the period 2012-2017 (’12-17) and each players’ career point total. Also shown is how their 2017 Box-Toppers point total compares with their 2016 total (+/-).


Player of the Game	Pos	Team	’17	’16-17	’12-17	Career	+/-
Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	12.7	37.1	136.8	196.4	-11.7
Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	7.4	22.5	81.6	90.3	-7.7
Keuchel, Dallas 3050	pi sp	hou al	7.4	14.4	50.2	50.2	0.4
Vargas, Jason 2055	pi sp	kc al	7.0	8.0	33.4	54.2	6.0
Smoak, Justin 2731	1b	tor al	5.5	9.0	22.2	28.4	2.0
Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	chi nl	3.0	16.4	42.8	124.2	-10.4
Cabrera, Miguel 1776	1b	det al	2.0	14.0	59.8	146.9	-10.0
Blach, Ty 3754	pi sp	sf nl	2.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	0.0
Mauer, Joe 1869	1b	min al	2.0	3.5	25.0	72.6	0.5
Cordoba, Allen 3780	lf pr	sd nl	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Valencia, Danny 2772	1b 3b	sea al	1.7	6.2	10.7	14.7	-2.8
Diaz, Elias 3813	ca	pit nl	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Stanton, Giancarlo 2737	rf	fla nl	1.0	7.5	31.7	40.2	-5.5
Asher, Alec 3735	pi sp	bal al	1.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	0.0
Mesoraco, Devin 3037	ca	cin nl	1.0	1.0	13.5	13.5	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Cubs' Lackey tops players for Tuesday, May 9; Astros' Beltran ties Box-Toppers record, earning points in 19 straight seasons

Shawn Plank May 10, 2017

Cubs pitcher John Lackey 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 2017 season as of May 9:


	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	7.0
2	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	bos al	6.7
3	Santana, Ervin 2005	pi sp	min al	6.7
4	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	6.0
5	Carrasco, Carlos 2885	pi sp	cle al	5.4
6	Kimbrel, Craig 2825	pi cp	bos al	5.0
7	Nova, Ivan 2796	pi sp	pit nl	5.0
8	Vargas, Jason 2055	pi sp	kc al	5.0
9	Holland, Greg 2906	pi cp	col nl	5.0
10	Judge, Aaron 3767	rf	nyy al	5.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Tuesday, Carlos Beltran of the Astros has now earned Box-Toppers points for 19 straight seasons, tying the “all-time” record set by Jason Giambi, after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday. Plus, Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco rises to fifth place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors.

Player of the Day—Lackey struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks, in the 8-1 win over the Rockies.

Lackey earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 123.2 career points, ranked 39th among all player since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. He trails 38th-ranked player Gary Sheffield (124.1).

American League Player of the Day—Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco struck out seven over seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks, in the 6-0 win over the Blue Jays.

Box-Toppers season streaks

Here are the players who have earned Box-Toppers points in the most consecutive seasons. Carlos Beltran has tied Jason Giambi for the longest streak—19 straight seasons. Beltran has earned points each season from 1999 to 2017; Giambi earned points each season from 1995 to 2013. (Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995.) Players are listed by length of their streak. Also shown is the duration of their streak and their career Box-Toppers point (BTP) total.


	Streak	Player	Pos	Duration	Career BTP
1	19	Jason Giambi	1b	1995-2013	133.4
1	19	Carlos Beltran*	rf	1999-2017	105.9
3	18	Jim Thome	1b dh	1995-2012	146.7
3	18	Chipper Jones	3b	1995-2012	149.0
3	18	Johnny Damon	lf	1995-2012	63.0
3	18	Alex Rodriguez	3b	1996-2013	187.0
7	17	Mariano Rivera	pi cp	1995-2011	126.4
7	17	Derek Jeter	ss	1996-2012	76.4
7	17	Paul Konerko	1b	1998-2014	100.7
7	17	Tim Hudson	pi sp	1999-2015	157.0
7	17	Torii Hunter	cf	1999-2015	115.9
7	17	David Ortiz	dh	2000-2016	145.9
7	17	CC Sabathia*	pi sp	2001-2017	187.0
14	16	Manny Ramirez	lf	1995-2010	167.2
14	16	Andy Pettitte	pi sp	1995-2010	138.5
14	16	Jamie Moyer	pi sp	1995-2010	104.0
14	16	Scott Rolen	3b	1996-2011	97.6
14	16	Kevin Millwood	pi sp	1997-2012	108.3
14	16	Derek Lowe	pi sp	1998-2013	91.5
14	16	Aramis Ramirez	3b	2000-2015	105.8
14	16	Mark Buehrle	pi sp	2000-2015	116.7
14	16	Albert Pujols*	dh 1b	2001-2016	182.3
14	16	Ichiro Suzuki*	rf	2001-2016	53.7
24	15	Randy Johnson	pi sp	1995-2009	278.8
24	15	Garret Anderson	lf	1995-2009	86.5
24	15	Ivan Rodriguez	ca	1995-2009	79.0
24	15	Tony Clark	1b	1995-2009	63.8
24	15	Gary Sheffield	lf	1995-2009	124.1
24	15	Jason Kendall	ca	1996-2010	40.9
24	15	Vladimir Guerrero	rf	1997-2011	128.3
24	15	Bobby Abreu	rf	1997-2011	95.5
24	15	Mike Cameron	cf	1997-2011	70.3
24	15	Miguel Tejada	ss	1997-2011	102.3
24	15	Jorge Posada	ca	1997-2011	79.5
24	15	Livan Hernandez	pi sp	1997-2011	76.7
24	15	Kyle Lohse	pi sp	2001-2015	89.0
24	15	Jake Peavy	pi sp	2002-2016	141.8

BTP: Box-Toppers points
* Active streak of a player active in 2017
Updated Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Details

Carrasco earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 5.4 for the season, rising to fifth place in season player rankings and third among AL pitchers, behind Chris Sale of the Red Sox (6.7) and Ervin Santana of the Twins (6.7).

National League Batter of the Day—Keon Broxton of the Brewers homered, tripled and went 3-for-3, scoring three times and driving in four runs, in the 11-7 win over the Red Sox.

American League Batter of the Day—Ben Gamel of the Mariners hit a three-run homer and doubled in the 10-9 win over the Phillies. Gamel went 4-for-5, scoring three times and driving in four runs.

Streak—Carlos Beltran of the Astros tied Box-Toppers’ record for the longest consecutive season streak in which a player has earned Player of the Game honors.

Beltran was Player of the Game Tuesday in the 8-3 win over the Braves (HR 2-4 2R BI), marking the 19th straight season in which he has earned Box-Toppers points (1999 to 2017). That ties the record of Jason Giambi, who earned Box-Toppers points for 19 straight seasons from 1995 to 2013. (Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995, the same year Giambi began his Major League career. Giambi earned points in each season he played except for his last season in 2014.)

Beltran earned his first Box-Toppers points in 1999 with the Royals and has 105.9 career points, rising to 61st place among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. Beltran earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point Tuesday, passing three players on the “all-time” list—Dodgers pitcher Scott Kazmir (105.1), Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (105.7) and Aramis Ramirez (105.8). Beltran now trails 60th-ranked player Frank Thomas (106.2).

Beltran’s 105.9 career Box-Toppers points also ranks fourth among active AL batters.

Beltran’s best season was 2003 with the Royals when he had 13.9 Box-Toppers points, second among AL batters, behind Carlos Delgado of the Blue Jays (17.7). In 2016, Beltran had 6.0 points with the Yankees and Rangers, eighth among AL designated hitters.

Beltran barely kept the streak alive earning only 1.0 Box-Toppers points in two different seasons—in 2010 with the Mets and in 2014 with the Yankees.

Besides Beltran, there are only three other Major League players who earned Box-Toppers points in 1999 or earlier who are still listed as active players today:

Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon, who has 2.7 points this season, but he earned no points in 2010, so his consecutive season streak stands only at seven.
Adrian Beltre of the Rangers, though he hasn’t earned Box-Toppers points yet this season. Also, Beltre did not earn points in 2005 or 2014, so his longest consecutive season streak earning Box-Toppers points is eight. His current streak is two seasons (2015 and 2016).
Pitcher Joe Nathan of the Nationals, though he hasn’t earned Box-Toppers points since Sept. 25, 2014.

Scoring—Lackey earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Carrasco earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Broxton and Gamel 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 





  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

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

    MLB
    11.0
    CHC 8, COL 1
    John Lackey (W,3-3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    0
    0
    2
    10
  

    AL
    11.0
    CLE 6, TOR 0
    Carlos Carrasco (W,4-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    3
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    
    8.0
    TEX 11, SD 0
    A.J. Griffin (W,4-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    9.0
    4
    0
    0
    1
    4
  

    BAT
    7.0
    MIL 11, BOS 7
    Keon Broxton, CF
    3
    3
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    6.1
    `LAD 4, PIT 3 (F/10)
    Julio Urias
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    1
    1
    1
    2
    5
  

    BAT
    6.0
    SEA 10, PHI 9
    Ben Gamel, RF
    5
    3
    4
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    COL 10, CHC 4
    Mark Reynolds, 1B
    4
    3
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.0
    KC 7, TB 6 (F/12)
    Salvador Perez, C
    4
    2
    3
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    STL 6, MIA 5
    Matt Adams, PH
    1
    1
    1
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    NYM 6, SF 1
    Zack Wheeler (W,2-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    1
    1
    4
    4
  

    
    2.0
    BAL 5, WSH 4 (F/12)
    Logan Verrett (W,2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    3.0
    2
    0
    0
    1
    2
  

    
    1.0
    LAA 7, OAK 3
    Yunel Escobar, 3B
    5
    1
    1
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    MIN 7, CHW 2
    Byron Buxton, CF
    4
    1
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    HOU 8, ATL 3
    Carlos Beltran, DH
    4
    2
    2
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    CIN 5, NYY 3
    Joey Votto, 1B
    2
    0
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    0.0
    DET 7, ARI 3
    Nicholas Castellanos, 3B
    3
    0
    1
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

MLB—Overall Box-Toppers Player of the Day, worth 2.0 total Box-Toppers points.

  AL—Overall American League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box-Toppers points.

  NL—Overall National League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box-Toppers points.

  BAT—Top AL or NL Batter of the Day, worth 1.5 total Box-Toppers points.

All other players listed here earn Player of the Game honors, worth 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

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

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


Player of the Game	Pos	Team	’17	’16-17	’12-17	Career	+/-
Carrasco, Carlos 2885	pi sp	cle al	5.4	17.8	46.5	51.9	-7.0
Reynolds, Mark 2297	1b	col nl	3.5	7.5	22.2	54.9	-0.5
Griffin, A.J. 3074	pi sp	tex al	3.0	8.7	23.4	23.4	-2.7
Gamel, Ben 3784	rf	sea al	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Votto, Joey 2366	1b	cin nl	2.5	13.0	27.7	66.7	-8.0
Broxton, Keon 3785	cf	mil nl	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	chi nl	2.0	15.4	41.8	123.2	-11.4
Castellanos, Nick 3349	3b	det al	2.0	7.5	15.7	15.7	-3.5
Verrett, Logan 3518	pi cp	bal al	2.0	3.0	6.0	6.0	1.0
Beltran, Carlos 1194	dh rf	hou al	1.0	7.0	19.2	105.9	-5.0
Urias, Julio 3652	pi sp	lad nl	1.0	6.7	6.7	6.7	-4.7
Buxton, Byron 3604	cf	min al	1.0	5.7	6.7	6.7	-3.7
Perez, Salvador 2972	ca	kc al	1.0	5.0	20.2	22.7	-3.0
Escobar, Yunel 2331	3b	ana al	1.0	2.0	17.5	42.0	0.0
Adams, Matt 3220	1b ph	stl nl	1.0	2.0	10.5	10.5	0.0
Wheeler, Zack 3204	pi sp	nym nl	1.0	1.0	12.7	12.7	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Box-Toppers picks the Nationals over the Red Sox in the 2017 World Series

Shawn Plank March 17, 2017

Box-Toppers projects Nationals to edge Dodgers in NL, Red Sox to beat Indians in the AL. World champion Cubs remain strong but return trip to World Series is not projected.

Box-Toppers top pitchers and batters by team in 2016

Shawn Plank January 16, 2017

3 of 4 major postseason award winners are among Box-Toppers top-ranked pitchers or batters on their teams. The exception: AL Cy Young Rick Porcello, who ranks 6th among Red Sox players.

A look at Box-Toppers' top 100 players for 2016

Shawn Plank November 7, 2016

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer leads the list of the top 100 players for 2016 with 25.7 Box-Toppers points, the 20th-highest single-season point total since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began.

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).

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

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

Reliever Andrew Miller tops players in World Series Game 3 as Indians take 2-1 series lead

Shawn Plank October 29, 2016

Indians pitcher Andrew Miller is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in World Series Game 3 Friday.

The Cleveland Indians win 1-0 to take a 2-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs in the best-of-seven-games series.

Miller struck out three in 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits, no walks and picking up the win. Miller had a Box-Toppers game score of +4.1, highest among Indians players.

Miller relieved starter Josh Tomlin in the fifth inning with two outs and also pitched the sixth inning.

Miller was pulled for pinch hitter Coco Crisp in the seventh inning, who drove in the game’s only run. That made Miller the pitcher of record, earning him the win, since he was the last Indians pitcher on the mound before the Indians took the lead.

Miller had 8.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranked 92nd among all players, 32nd among American League pitchers and first among AL middle relievers. He earned 4.0 of his points with the Yankees before being traded to the Indians.

This is the third time this postseason Miller has been Box-Toppers Player of the Game, tied for the most such honors with teammate Corey Kluber (who starts for the Indians Saturday). Previously, Miller was Player of the Game in the AL Division Series Game 1 win vs. the Red Sox on Oct. 6 and in the AL Championship Series Game 3 win vs. the Blue Jays on Oct. 17.

Closer Cody Allen had the second-highest Box-Toppers game score (+3.1) among Indians (1.1IP H 0R 0BB 3K). Starter Josh Tomlin had the third-highest score (+2.2) among Indians (4.2IP 2H 0R BB K). Pinch hitter Coco Crisp had the highest Box-Toppers game score (+1.0) among Indians batters, driving in the game’s only run with a single in the seventh inning (1-1 BI).

Opposing starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs had a Box-Toppers game score of +2.1 (4.1IP 6H 0R 2BB 6K ND). Hendricks had 13.4 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranked 17th among all players, 10th among National League pitchers.

The World Series resumes Saturday in Chicago with Game 4.

Top Indians in World Series Game 3: Indians 1, Cubs 0

Here are the Box-Toppers game scores of all Indians who played in World Series Game 3 listed from highest-to-lowest Box-Toppers game score.

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

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

    4.1
    Andrew Miller (W,2-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    3.1
    Cody Allen (S,6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    1
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    2.2
    Josh Tomlin
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    4.2
    2
    0
    0
    1
    1
  

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

    0.2
    Bryan Shaw (H,4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.2
    2
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    0.0
    Michael Martinez, PR-CF-3B
    1
    1
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

    0.0
    Bryan Shaw, P
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Brandon Guyer, LF
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Cody Allen, P
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    0.0
    Rajai Davis, LF-CF
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Tyler Naquin, CF
    2
    0
    1
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Carlos Santana, LF
    1
    0
    0
    0
    2
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Yan Gomes, C
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -1.0
    Josh Tomlin, P
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Francisco Lindor, SS
    4
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Jose Ramirez, 3B
    4
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Jason Kipnis, 2B
    3
    0
    1
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -2.0
    Roberto Perez, C
    3
    0
    1
    0
    0
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -4.0
    Mike Napoli, 1B
    4
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    -4.0
    Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
    4
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

Coming Saturday in Chicago:

World Series Game 4, Indians lead Cubs in series, 2-1

The pitching matchup Saturday:

Indians—Corey Kluber, 21.2 Box-Toppers points, fifth among all players, first among AL 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 and in World Series Game 1 vs. the Cubs.

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

Kluber is pitching on short rest, having pitched and won World Series Game 1 on Oct. 25. He has earned Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors three times this postseason, tied for the most of any player with Indians middle reliever Andrew Miller (Friday’s Player of the Game). Lackey comes in on full rest, having not pitched since Oct. 19 and is among the top 10 NL pitchers in Box-Toppers player rankings. However, Lackey has not earned Player of the Game honors in his two postseason appearances (combined 8IP 10H 5R 5BB 7K) and last earned regular season Player of the Game honors on Sept. 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

Game 3 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

Here are real-time tweets from Box-Toppers Wednesday as World Series Game 3 progressed:

#WorldSeries #Game3 starters:
Josh Tomlin #Indians 5.0 Box-Toppers pts, rank 202nd
Kyle Hendricks #Cubs 13.4, 17thhttps://t.co/jyhVpVxl5W
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 28, 2016

Box-Toppers Player of the Game leaders #WorldSeries #Game3:#Cubs—Kyle Hendricks#Indians—Josh Tomlin
Score: 0-0 T5
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

Kyle Hendricks #Cubs exits #WorldSeries #Game3 (4.1IP 6H 0R 2BB 6K, Box-Toppers game score +2.1). CHC 0, CLE 0 T5.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

#Indians starter Josh Tomlin exits #WorldSeries #Game3 (4.2IP 2H 0R BB K, Box-Toppers game score +2.2). CLE 0, CHC 0 B5, runner 2nd, 2 outs.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

Thru 5, #Cubs, #Indians 0-0.
Box-Toppers Player of the Game leaders:
CLE—Josh Tomlin B-T game score +2.2.
CHC—Kyle Hendricks B-T gm sc +2.1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

#WorldSeries #Game 3—End 6, #Cubs, #Indians 0-0.
Box-Toppers Player of the Game leaders:
CLE—Tomlin B-T game score +2.2.
CHC—Hendricks +2.1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

#Indians score 1st in #WorldSeries #Game3, 1-0 v CHC, T7.
Box-Toppers Player of Game leader—Tomlin (4.2IP 2H 0R BB K, B-T game score +2.2).
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

Crrxn: Andrew Miller #Indians leads as Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game3 (he's pitcher of record & has B-T gm score of +4.1)
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

Andrew Miller #Indians leads as Box-Toppers Player of Game #WorldSeries #Game3 (1.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K, B-T game score +4.1). CLE 1, CHC 0, E7.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

#Cubs trail #Indians 1-0 going into B9 in #WorldSeries #Game3.
MR Andrew Miller CLE leads as Box-Toppers Player of Game (B-T gm score +4.1).
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

Andrew Miller #Indians (1.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K W) is Box-Toppers Player of Game in #WorldSeries #Game3 win, 1-0, v #Cubs. CLE leads series, 2-1.
— Box-Toppers (@BoxToppers) October 29, 2016

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.

Ryan Merritt tops players as Indians eliminate Blue Jays in ALCS; Cubs' Rizzo tops players in NLCS Game 4 win

Shawn Plank October 20, 2016

Pitcher Ryan Merritt led the Indians to a clinching American League Championship Series Game 5 win Wednesday, even though he has never earned Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors during the regular season.

Also Wednesday, Anthony Rizzo was Box-Toppers Player of the Game in the Cubs’ Game 4 win to even the National League Championship Series with the Dodgers at two games apiece.

American League Championship Series Game 5: Indians 3, Blue Jays 0

Merritt pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, no walks and striking out three, to earn Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors.

The Indians win the best-of-seven-game series over the Blue Jays, 4-1, and advance to the World Series beginning next Tuesday in Cleveland.

Merritt picked up a no decision because he did not pitch the requisite five innings to earn the win. However, he did pitch at least three innings, enough to qualify to earn Box-Toppers Player of the Game.

Merritt had a Box-Toppers game score Wednesday of +5.1, most of any Indians player. Left fielder Coco Crisp had the highest Box-Toppers game score (+1.0) among Indians batters (HR 1-2 R BI).

Opposing pitcher Marco Estrada of the Blue Jays had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 (6IP 5H 3R 0BB 7K L).

Merritt had no Box-Toppers points during the regular season and in fact is unranked because he has yet to earn his first career Player of the Game honor during the regular season. Merritt made his Major League debut May 30 and has played in four games, pitching a total of 11 innings.

The Indians ranked higher than the Blue Jays in Box-Toppers team rankings. The Indians ranked fourth with an accumulated 123.7 Box-Toppers points earned by their players in 2016. The Blue Jays ranked ninth with 114.0, the lowest of the five AL teams to qualify for the playoffs.

Yet, the Indians were weakened by the loss of two of their top starting pitchers—Danny Salazar (12.5 Box-Toppers points, ranked eighth among AL pitchers) and Carlos Carrasco (12.4 points, ranked 10th among AL pitchers). Both were out with injuries. A third starter, Trevor Bauer (11.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 12th among AL pitchers), was injured during the series—cutting his pinky finger repairing a drone—and could only pitch 2/3 of an inning in Game 3 before having to be removed because he was bleeding so profusely from his drone wound.

Yet, the Indians were able to cobble together four wins with bullpen stars like Andrew Miller (8.0 Box-Toppers points, first among AL middle relievers) and Cody Allen (7.0 Box-Toppers points, fourth among AL closers), plus their ace starter Corey Kluber (21.2 Box-Toppers points, first among AL pitchers).

One final note: In March, Box-Toppers somehow made the correct preseason forecast that the Indians and Blue Jays would face off in the American League Championship Series and the Cubs and Dodgers would face off in the National League Championship Series.

The only problem with that: Box-Toppers picked the Blue Jays to win the ALCS and the World Series. Now, that ain’t gonna happen.

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

National League Championship Series Game 4: Cubs 10, Dodgers 2

Rizzo homered and went 3-for-5, scoring twice and driving in three runs, to earn Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors.

The Cubs now even the best-of-seven-game National League Championship Series with the Dodgers, 2-2.

Rizzo had a Box-Toppers game score Wednesday of +3.0, most among Cubs players. Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (13.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 16th, ninth among NL pitchers) had a Box-Toppers game score of −3.0 (4IP 3H 2R 3BB 3K ND).

Opposing pitcher Julio Urias of the Dodgers had a Box-Toppers game score of −6.8 (3.2IP 4H 4R 2BB 4K L).

Rizzo had 3.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, 71st among NL batters and 16th among NL first basemen.

The series resumes Thursday with Game 5 in Los Angeles.

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

  
    BTG
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  
    5.1
    `CLE 3, TOR 0
    Ryan Merritt
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    4.1
    2
    0
    0
    0
    3
  
    3.0
    CHC 10, LAD 2
    Anthony Rizzo, 1B
    5
    2
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  
    `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

National League Championship Series Game 5, Cubs at Dodgers, series tied, 2-2

The pitching matchup Thursday is a rematch of the Game 1 starters from Saturday. The Cubs won that game, 8-4:

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

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

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

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.

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.

Cubs' Aroldis Chapman, Dodgers' Joe Blanton top players in Tuesday's NLDS games

Shawn Plank October 12, 2016

Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman and Dodgers reliever Joe Blanton are Box-Toppers’ top players in Tuesday’s two National League Division Series games.

National League Division Series Game 4: Cubs 6, Giants 5

Chapman is Box-Toppers Player of the Game as the Cubs eliminate the Giants in the best-of-five game series, 3-1, with a four-run, ninth-inning comeback.

Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth inning, striking out the side and allowing no hits and no walks. He earned the save.

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).

Chapman led all Cubs players with a Box-Toppers game score of +4.0. Willson Contreras led all Cubs batters with a Box-Toppers game score of +2.0 (1-1 2BI). Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey had a Box-Toppers game score of −7.0 (4IP 7H 3R 2BB 4K ND).

Meanwhile, Giants starting pitcher Matt Moore held a commanding lead as Box-Toppers Player of the Game going into the ninth inning. Moore had the highest Box-Toppers game score of any player on either team, +11.0 (8IP 2H 2R 2BB 10K ND). But Moore lost his Player of the Game lead when the Cubs went ahead in the ninth and won the game.

The Cubs eliminate the Giants in four games, 3-1. The Cubs were the runaway leader in Box-Toppers team rankings, leading nearly all the season with 139.5 Box-Toppers points. The Giants were the lowest-ranking team to qualify for the postseason, ranked 10th with 112.7.

This also ends the Giants’ streak of winning the World Series in even-numbered years after winning in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

The Cubs now advance to the best-of-seven game National League Championship Series beginning Saturday in Chicago against either the Dodgers or the Nationals.

National League Division Series Game 4: Dodgers 6, Nationals 5

Dodgers middle reliever Joe Blanton is Box-Toppers Player of the Game Tuesday as the Dodgers even the best-of-five game NL Division Series against the Nationals at two games apiece.

Blanton pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits, no walks, striking out two and earning the win.

Blanton had no Box-Toppers points during the regular season. He had 3.0 points in 2015 with the Royals and the Pirates. His best year was 2012 with the Phillies and Dodgers when he had 9.4.

Blanton had the highest Box-Toppers game score among Dodgers players (+3.0). He qualified to be Player of the Game because, though he pitched fewer than the required three innings, he did earn the win. Top Dodgers batter was Adrian Gonzalez, who had a Box-Toppers game score of +1.0 (HR 1-3 R 2BI). Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw seemed on track to earn Player of the Game honors until the seventh inning when the Nationals scored three runs and tied the game. Kershaw ended with a Box-Toppers game score of −1.8 (6.2IP 7H 5R 2BB 11K ND). Nationals top player was Daniel Murphy, who had a Box-Toppers game score of +3.0 (2-3 4BI).

The Dodgers and Nationals face off in the deciding Game 5 of the NLDS Thursday in Washington.

There are no games Wednesday.

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
    CHC 6, SF 5
    Aroldis Chapman (S,3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    3
  

    3.1
    LAD 6, WSH 5
    Joe Blanton (W,1-0)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    BTG: Box-Toppers game score
  

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.

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?

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

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	+/-
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?

Chicago Cubs, week's hottest team, maintain 1st place in Box-Toppers team rankings

Shawn Plank August 12, 2016

Cubs expand narrow lead over 2nd-place Dodgers. Red Sox top AL teams.

Cubs' John Lackey rises to 9th in player rankings Tuesday; Astros' Altuve retakes Box-Toppers points lead among AL batters

Shawn Plank August 10, 2016

Cubs pitcher John Lackey is Tuesday’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 Aug. 9:


	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	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	16.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	16.2
5	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	14.1
7	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
8	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	13.4
9	Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	chi nl	12.4
10	Arrieta, Jake 2738	pi sp	chi nl	11.7

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Tuesday, Jose Altuve of the Astros retakes the Box-Toppers points lead among American League batters after earning AL Batter of the Day honors.

Player of the Day—Lackey allowed one run over eight innings, giving up three hits and one walk, striking out six, in the 5-1 win over the Angels.

Lackey earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 12.4 for the season. Cubs pitchers now occupy the eighth, ninth and 10th place spots in Box-Toppers season player rankings:

8. Jon Lester, 13.4 Box-Toppers points
9. Lackey, 12.4
10. Jake Arrieta, 11.7

Lackey rises to seventh place among National League pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

Lackey also rises to 40th place in career Box-Toppers points since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his points Tuesday, Lackey now has 120.2 Box-Toppers points, passing Cliff Lee (119.1) on the “all-time” list and now trails 39th-ranked player Gary Sheffield (124.1).

Lackey had a Box-Toppers game score Tuesday of +8.0, the same as Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler, Player of the Game in the 2-0 win over the Giants (7IP 2H 0R 3BB 6K W). But Lackey held the tiebreaker, winning overall Player of the Day, because he pitched more innings—eight vs. seven.

American League Player of the Day—Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out four, in the 3-1 win over the Nationals.

Nationals’ starting pitcher in the game, Max Scherzer (18.7 Box-Toppers points), had a chance to pass season player rankings leader, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (20.0). While Scherzer’s Box-Toppers game score of +10 (7IP 3H 2R ER BB 10K) was high enough to earn him Player of the Day honors Tuesday, he did not earn Player of the Game honors because the Nationals did not win and Scherzer himself picked up the loss, his seventh of the season (12-7).

American League Batter of the Day—Jose Altuve of the Astros went 4-for-4, scoring twice and driving in a run, in the 7-5 win over the Twins.

Altuve earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being AL Batter of the Day, giving him 11.5 for the season, rising to 11th place in season player rankings and first among AL batters, passing previous leader Manny Machado of the Orioles (10.2). Machado had just retaken the AL batting lead from Altuve on Sunday.

National League Batter of the Day—Howie Kendrick of the Dodgers homered, doubled and went 2-for-4, driving in three runs, in the 9-3 win over the Phillies.

Notable—Adrian Beltre of the Rangers rises to 56th place in career Box-Toppers points since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began, after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday.

Beltre (2B 2-4 R 2BI in the 7-5 win over the Rockies) now has 108.3 career Box-Toppers points and passes two players on the “all-time” list—Lance Berkman (108.1) and Kevin Millwood (108.3). He trails 55th-ranked player Billy Wagner (108.7).

Beltre has 6.5 Box-Toppers points for the season, 14th among AL batters.

Debut—Athletics pitcher Zach Neal made his Box-Toppers debut Tuesday with his first career Player of the Game honor.

Neal (5.1IP 2H R 0BB K W in the 2-1 win over the Orioles) made his Major League debut May 11 and was playing in his 12th career game. He is the 3,700th player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995.

Scoring—Lackey earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and Bauer earns 1.7 points for being AL Player of the Day. Altuve and Kendrick 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

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

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

    MLB
    8.0
    CHC 5, LAA 1
    John Lackey (W, 9-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    3
    1
    1
    1
    6
  

    
    8.0
    MIA 2, SF 0
    Tom Koehler (W, 9-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    2
    0
    0
    3
    6
  

    AL
    4.1
    CLE 3, WSH 1
    Trevor Bauer (W, 8-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.1
    4
    0
    0
    2
    4
  

    
    4.0
    TB 9, TOR 2
    Erasmo Ramirez (S, 1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    3.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    BAT
    3.0
    HOU 7, MIN 5
    Jose Altuve (2B)
    4
    2
    4
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.1
    OAK 2, BAL 1
    Zach Neal (W, 2-1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    5.1
    2
    1
    1
    0
    1
  

    
    2.0
    BOS 5, NYY 3
    Dustin Pedroia (2B)
    4
    1
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    2.0
    LAD 9, PHI 3
    Howie Kendrick (LF)
    4
    1
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    CIN 7, STL 4
    Billy Hamilton (CF)
    3
    3
    2
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    ATL 2, MIL 1
    Mauricio Cabrera (S, 3)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    1.1
    CHW 7, KC 5 (10)
    Dan Jennings (S, 1)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    0.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    1
  

    
    1.0
    SEA 6, DET 5 (15)
    Kyle Seager (3B)
    7
    1
    3
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    PIT 6, SD 4
    David Freese (3B)
    5
    3
    3
    0
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    TEX 7, COL 5
    Adrian Beltre (3B)
    4
    1
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    ARI 5, NYM 3
    Paul Goldschmidt (1B)
    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	+/-
Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	chi nl	12.4	22.1	41.8	120.2	2.7
Altuve, Jose 3007	2b	hou al	11.5	18.5	28.0	28.0	4.5
Bauer, Trevor 3065	pi sp	cle al	9.4	18.8	27.5	27.5	0.0
Beltre, Adrian 1141	3b	tex al	6.5	19.0	44.9	108.3	-6.0
Seager, Kyle 3031	3b	sea al	6.0	11.0	25.0	25.0	1.0
Koehler, Tom 3159	pi sp	fla nl	5.0	9.0	17.0	17.0	1.0
Ramirez, Erasmo 1786	pi sp mr cp	tb al	3.7	10.7	12.7	14.7	-3.3
Kendrick, Howie 2191	2b lf	lad nl	3.0	7.0	19.0	33.0	-1.0
Cabrera, Mauricio 3689	pi cp mr	atl nl	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Goldschmidt, Paul 2935	1b	ari nl	2.5	12.7	37.9	37.9	-7.7
Hamilton, Billy 3287	cf	cin nl	2.0	4.0	8.5	8.5	0.0
Pedroia, Dustin 2320	2b	bos al	2.0	2.0	22.4	34.5	2.0
Freese, David 2710	1b 3b	pit nl	2.0	2.0	22.2	24.2	2.0
Jennings, Dan 3591	pi cp	chi al	1.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	0.0
Neal, Zach 3700	pi sp	oak al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Mariners' Iwakuma tops players for Wednesday, Aug. 3; Nationals' Scherzer edges closer to Kershaw's lead

Shawn Plank August 4, 2016

Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma is Wednesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Top 10 players

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


	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	Fernandez, Jose 3147	pi sp	fla nl	16.4
4	Kluber, Corey 3200	pi sp	cle al	14.5
5	Cueto, Johnny 2400	pi sp	sf nl	14.4
6	Hamels, Cole 2135	pi sp	tex al	14.1
7	Strasburg, Stephen 2736	pi sp	dc nl	14.1
8	Lester, Jon 2173	pi sp	chi nl	12.4
9	Bumgarner, Madison 2753	pi sp	sf nl	11.0
10	Syndergaard, Noah 3472	pi sp	nym nl	11.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Also Wednesday, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, ranked second among players in Box-Toppers points this season, got within striking distance of overall leader, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, after earning National League Player of the Day honors.

Player of the Day—Iwakuma pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing five hits and no walks, in the 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

National League Player of the Day—Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer struck out 11 over eight innings, allowing three runs, four hits and one walk, in the 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Scherzer earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 18.7 for the season, maintaining second place in Box-Toppers season player rankings. With his points Wednesday, he now has the chance to pass overall leader, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (20.0 Box-Toppers points) on his next start.

Scherzer’s 1.3-point gap behind Kershaw is the closest any player has been to the leader since May 22, when Kershaw had 10.0 Box-Toppers points and Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta trailed him in second place with 8.7 (Arrieta now has 10.7 points, 11th among all players). Kershaw has led all players since May 7, but last earned Box-Toppers points on June 20 before going on the disabled list June 27. On Wednesday, he was retroactively placed on the 60-day disabled list, eligible to return Aug. 27.

Scherzer also now has 124.7 career Box-Toppers points, ranked 37th among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. With his points Wednesday, he passes Gary Sheffield (124.1) on the “all-time” list and now trails 36th-ranked player, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver (125.1).

American League Batter of the Day—Joe Mauer of the Twins hit two doubles and tripled, going 4-for-5, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 13-5 win over the Indians.

This was Mauer’s first Player of the Game honor in 2016 and he has now earned Box-Toppers points in 13 straight seasons, all with the Twins. He earned his first points in 2004 and has 70.6 career points, 11th among active AL batters. His best season was 2008 when he had 9.5 Box-Toppers points, eighth among AL batters. In 2015, he had 2.5 points.

National League Batter of the Day—Yangervis Solarte of the Padres homered, doubled and went 3-for-5, scoring four times and driving in three runs, in the 12-3 win over the Brewers.

Notable—Besides Scherzer, two other players with more than 100 career Box-Toppers points earned Player of the Game honors Wednesday:

Albert Pujols of the Angels (HR 2B 3-5 2R 3BI in the 8-6 win over the Athletics) now has 181.3 career Box-Toppers points, ranked sixth among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began (see updated list of the overall top 20 players in career points). He now trails fifth-place player, Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia (182.0), by only 0.7 points. Pujols has 7.0 Box-Toppers points for the season, 10th among AL batters.
Cubs pitcher John Lackey (7IP 7H 3R 0BB 8K ND in the 5-4 win over the Marlins) rises to 40th place in career Box-Toppers points (118.2) among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. He passes two players on the “all-time” list, Barry Zito (117.4) and Carlos Delgado (117.7) and now trails 39th-ranked player Cliff Lee (119.1). Lackey also becomes the 19th player this season with 10 or more Box-Toppers points—he has 10.4 and ranks 14th among all players, 10th among NL pitchers.

Streak—Ryan Howard has now earned Box-Toppers points in 12 straight seasons—all with the Phillies—after earning his first Player of the Game honor of the season Wednesday.

Howard (HR 3-4 R BI in the 5-4, 12-inning win over the Giants) earned his first points in 2005 and has 97.7 career points, second among active NL batters, trailing Matt Holliday of the Cardinals (97.8) by 0.1 point. Howard’s best season was 2009 when he had 15.4 points, third among NL batters. In 2015, he had 5.5 points.

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

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

    8/3
    Score
    Game
    Player of Game
    AB
    R
    H
    BI
    
    IP
    H
    R
    ER
    BB
    K
  

    MLB
    9.1
    SEA 3, BOS 1
    Hisashi Iwakuma (W,12-7)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.1
    5
    0
    0
    0
    7
  

    NL
    8.0
    WSH 8, ARI 3
    Max Scherzer (W,12-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    8.0
    4
    3
    3
    1
    11
  

    
    8.0
    TOR 3, HOU 1
    Marco Estrada (W,7-4)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    4
    1
    1
    0
    7
  

    
    8.0
    TB 12, KC 0
    Jake Odorizzi (W,6-5)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    6.0
    2
    0
    0
    2
    6
  

    
    6.1
    NYY 9, NYM 5
    Luis Severino (W,1-6)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    4.1
    1
    1
    0
    1
    5
  

    BAT
    5.0
    MIN 13, CLE 5
    Joe Mauer, 1B
    5
    2
    4
    4
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    BAT
    5.0
    SD 12, MIL 3
    Yangervis Solarte, 3B
    5
    4
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    5.0
    COL 12, LAD 2
    Nolan Arenado, 3B
    3
    3
    2
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    3.1
    DET 2, CHW 1
    Shane Greene (W,2-2)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    1.1
    0
    0
    0
    0
    2
  

    
    3.0
    LAA 8, OAK 6
    Albert Pujols, DH
    5
    2
    3
    3
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    ATL 8, PIT 4
    Ender Inciarte, CF
    4
    2
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    2.0
    BAL 3, TEX 2
    Kevin Gausman (W,3-8)
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    7
    2
    2
    1
    7
  

    
    2.0
    `CHC 5, MIA 4
    John Lackey
    -
    -
    -
    -
    
    7.0
    7
    3
    3
    0
    8
  

    
    1.0
    PHI 5, SF 4 (12)
    Ryan Howard, 1B
    4
    1
    3
    1
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

    
    1.0
    STL 5, CIN 4
    Brandon Moss, 1B
    4
    1
    2
    2
    
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  

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

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


Player of Game	Pos	Team	16	15-16	11-16	Career	+/-
Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	dc nl	18.7	39.7	104.3	124.7	-2.3
Lackey, John 1640	pi sp	chi nl	10.4	20.1	39.8	118.2	0.7
Estrada, Marco 2847	pi sp	tor al	7.0	15.0	39.1	39.1	-1.0
Pujols, Albert 1438	dh 1b	ana al	7.0	14.0	44.0	181.3	0.0
Arenado, Nolan 3306	3b	col nl	6.5	15.0	16.5	16.5	-2.0
Gausman, Kevin 3191	pi sp	bal al	5.4	11.1	18.8	18.8	-0.3
Odorizzi, Jake 3291	pi sp	tb al	4.7	13.4	24.4	24.4	-4.0
Iwakuma, Hisashi 3048	pi sp	sea al	4.0	17.1	52.2	52.2	-9.1
Solarte, Yangervis 3304	3b	sd nl	3.0	8.0	9.0	9.0	-2.0
Greene, Shane 3381	pi sp	det al	3.0	6.0	13.0	13.0	0.0
Moss, Brandon 2520	rf lf 1b	stl nl	2.5	7.5	23.5	25.5	-2.5
Mauer, Joe 1869	1b	min al	1.5	4.0	26.0	70.6	-1.0
Howard, Ryan 2040	1b	phi nl	1.0	6.5	31.4	97.7	-4.5
Inciarte, Ender 3360	cf	atl nl	1.0	4.0	5.0	5.0	-2.0
Severino, Luis 3567	pi mr sp	nyy al	1.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	-2.0

What are those numbers after players' names?

Top 10 players

Top player from each game

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

Top 10 players

Box-Toppers season streaks

Top player from each game

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

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 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 Indians in World Series Game 3: Indians 1, Cubs 0

World Series Game 4, Indians lead Cubs in series, 2-1

Game 3 narrative via Box-Toppers Twitter feed

American League Championship Series Game 5: Indians 3, Blue Jays 0

National League Championship Series Game 4: Cubs 10, Dodgers 2

National League Championship Series Game 5, Cubs at Dodgers, series tied, 2-2

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

National League Division Series Game 4: Cubs 6, Giants 5

National League Division Series Game 4: Dodgers 6, Nationals 5

Top player from each game

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

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

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

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.