Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen and Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals are Box-Toppers Players of the Game in Saturday’s pair of National League League Division Series games.
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Red Sox' Doug Fister tops players for Tuesday, Aug. 22; Pujols passes A-Rod to lead batters in ‘all-time’ career Box-Toppers points
Red Sox pitcher Doug Fister is Tuesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
Also Tuesday, Albert Pujols of the Angels passes Alex Rodriguez to take the lead in career Box-Toppers points among all batters (since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began). Plus, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs extends his season Box-Toppers points lead among National League batters after earning Player of the Game honors.
Read MoreBox-Toppers picks the Nationals over the Royals in the 2015 World Series
Nats have four players ranked in Box-Toppers top 20 for 2014. Royals have pitching staff that nearly evenly shares the burden of winning.
Read MoreWashington Nationals top Box-Toppers' 2015 preseason team rankings
Nationals' offseason net gain in Box-Toppers points pushes them to top of preseason team rankings. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Athletics plummet in rankings and the Cubs and Red Sox make big leaps upward.
Read MoreBox-Toppers' top-ranked pitchers—Clayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber—win Cy Young Awards
Box-Toppers’ two top-ranked pitchers won each league’s Cy Young Award Wednesday.
Overall Box-Toppers points leader Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers easily won the National League Cy Young Award for top pitcher in a unanimous vote. The race in the American League was tighter, but Corey Kluber of the Indians, who led all AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points, edged out Felix Hernandez of the Mariners to win the AL Cy Young Award.
Read MoreCardinals' Lackey, Nationals' Fister top players in pair of NLDS Game 3s, Monday, Oct. 6
John Lackey, who struck out eight over seven innings and allowed one run in the Cardinals 3-1 win over the Dodgers in the National League Division Series Game 3, is Monday’s Player of the Day.
Lackey gives the Cardinals a 2-1 lead over the Dodgers in the best-of-five game series that resumes Tuesday.
Lackey had the highest Box-Toppers game score of any Cardinals player of 7.0.
During the regular season, Lackey had 10.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 50th among all players, 24th among NL pitchers.
NLDS Game 3: Nationals 4, Giants 1
Doug Fister, who pitched seven scoreless innings, leading the Nationals to a 4-1 win over the Giants is Player of the Game in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
Fister, who also allowed four hits, walked three and struck out three, gave the Nationals their first 2014 postseason win. They trail the Giants in the best-of-five game series, 2-1.
Fister had the highest Box-Toppers game score of any Nationals player of 3.0.
During the regular season, Fister had 14.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 19th among all players, 10th among NL pitchers.
Giants starter Madison Bumgarner, who was third among all players in Box-Toppers player rankings during the regular season, picked up the loss. Bumgarner gave up three runs on eight hits over seven innings, striking out six. His Box-Toppers game score was +1. Bumgarner had 22.6 Box-Toppers points during the regular season.
Coming Tuesday:
NLDS Game 4, Cardinals lead Dodgers, 2-1
The pitching matchup Tuesday:
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, 31.5 Box-Toppers points, ranked first among all players.
Cardinals: Shelby Miller, 9.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 64th among all players, 30th among NL pitchers.
NLDS Game 4, Giants lead Nationals, 2-1
The pitching matchup Tuesday:
Nationals: Gio Gonzalez, 11.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 44th among all players, 18th among NL pitchers.
Giants: Ryan Vogelsong, 8.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 74th among all players, 36th among NL pitchers.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Players of the Game (POG) listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1006 | Score | Team | Player of the Game | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POG | 7.0 | Cardinals | John Lackey (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | |
| POG | 3.0 | Nationals | Doug Fister (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Orioles' Norris, Royals' Aoki top players as both teams sweep their ALDS, Sunday, Oct. 5
Orioles pitcher Bud Norris, who pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings to eliminate the Tigers in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, is Sunday’s Player of the Day.
Norris also allowed two hits and struck out six in the 2-1 win. The Orioles win the series 3-0 and will face the Royals in the AL Championship Series beginning Friday.
Norris had the highest Box-Toppers game score of any Orioles player of +8.1.
During the regular season, Norris had 10.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 51st among all players and 23rd among AL pitchers.
The Orioles are ranked just ahead of the Tigers in Box-Toppers team rankings, in sixth place with 113.4 Box-Toppers points. The Tigers are in seventh with 112.9 Box-Toppers points. (See final team rankings.)
ALDS Game 3: Royals 8, Angels 3
Norichika Aoki, who went 3-for-3, scoring twice and driving in a run, as his Royals swept the Angels, is Player of the Game in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
The Royals, with their 3-0 series victory, upset the Angels, the team in first place in Box-Toppers team rankings with 124.2 Box-Toppers points. The Royals have the lowest Box-Toppers team ranking of remaining teams in the playoffs—10th place with 101.1 Box-Toppers points. (See final team rankings.)
The Royals will now face the Orioles in the AL Championship Series beginning Friday.
Aoki had the highest Box-Toppers game score of any Royals player of +3.
During the regular season, Aoki had 2.0 Box-Toppers points, ranking 443rd among all players, 111th among AL batters.
Coming Monday:
NLDS Game 3, Dodgers at Cardinals, series tied 1-1
The pitching matchup Monday:
Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu, 11.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 41st among all players, 15th among NL pitchers.
Cardinals: John Lackey, 10.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 50th among all players, 24th among NL pitchers.
NLDS Game 3, Giants lead Nationals, 2-0
The pitching matchup Monday:
Nationals: Doug Fister, 14.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 19th among all players, 10th among NL pitchers.
Giants: Madison Bumgarner, 22.6 Box-Toppers points, ranked third among all players, second among NL pitchers.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Players of the Game (POG) listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1005 | Score | Team | Player of the Game | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POG | 8.1 | Orioles | Bud Norris (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | |
| POG | 3.0 | Royals | Norichika Aoki RF | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Nationals' Fister tops players for Friday, Sept. 26; Indians' Kluber passes 25 Box-Toppers points, extends lead among AL pitchers
Nationals pitcher Doug Fister is Friday’s Player of the Day, while Indians pitcher Corey Kluber has now earned more than 25 Box-Toppers points, only the 20th time in 20 seasons a player has reached that threshold.
Most BTP single season
Corey Kluber of the Indians is now tied for the 17th-best single season in Box-Toppers history (dating back to 1995), with 25.8 Box-Toppers points. It is the 20th time in 20 seasons a player has passed 25 Box-Toppers points and the second time this season—Clayton Kershaw has 31.5.| Rank | Player | Team | Pos | Year | BTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 2000 | 33.7 |
| 1 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 2002 | 33.7 |
| 3 | Pedro Martinez | Red Sox | pi sp | 2000 | 33.5 |
| 4 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 1999 | 31.5 |
| 4 | *Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers | pi sp | 2014 | 31.5 |
| 6 | Pedro Martinez | Red Sox | pi sp | 1999 | 31.4 |
| 7 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 2001 | 29.4 |
| 8 | Pedro Martinez | Red Sox | pi sp | 2002 | 28.8 |
| 9 | Curt Schilling | Dbacks | pi sp | 2002 | 28.4 |
| 10 | Roger Clemens | Blue Jays | pi sp | 1997 | 27.4 |
| 11 | Johan Santana | Twins | pi sp | 2004 | 26.8 |
| 12 | Pedro Martinez | Expos | pi sp | 1997 | 26.7 |
| 12 | CC Sabathia | Indians/Brewers | pi sp | 2008 | 26.7 |
| 14 | Randy Johnson | Mariners/Astros | pi sp | 1998 | 26.4 |
| 15 | John Smoltz | Braves | pi sp | 1996 | 26.1 |
| 15 | Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers | pi sp | 2011 | 26.1 |
| 17 | Roger Clemens | Blue Jays | pi sp | 1998 | 25.8 |
| 17 | *Corey Kluber | Indians | pi sp | 2014 | 25.8 |
| 19 | Johan Santana | Twins | pi sp | 2006 | 25.7 |
| 20 | Cliff Lee | Phillies | pi sp | 2011 | 25.4 |
* Current season
BTP: Box-Toppers points
Fister pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout, striking out nine and walking none, in the 4-0 win over the Marlins. Fister earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 14.4 for the season. He ranks 18th among all players and ninth among National League pitchers.
Kluber extended his lead among American League pitchers and maintained his overall No. 2-ranking in Box-Toppers points after earning AL Player of the Day honors Friday. (See the updated top 10 player list on the home page.) Kluber pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 11 in the 1-0 win over the Rays. He earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 25.8 for the season.
Kluber is now all but assured to be Box-Toppers’ AL Player of the Year and top AL pitcher. With two days left in the season, he leads second-place AL player, Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer (22.1 Box-Toppers points) by 3.7 points.
Kluber now also has the 17th most Box-Toppers points earned in a single season since Box-Toppers record keeping began in 1995. His 25.8 points is tied for 17th place on the “all-time” list with Roger Clemens, who also had 25.8 points with the Blue Jays in 1998. Kluber’s 25.8 points marks the 20th time in 20 seasons a player has earned 25 or more Box-Toppers points. It is the second time this season—Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has 31.5.
Justin Bour of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Bour went 3-for-4, scored four times and drove in two runs, in the 15-7 win over the Nationals. This was Bour’s Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,433rd player to debut in Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. Bour made his Major League debut June 5 and was playing in his 37th game.
Brian Dozier of the Twins is AL Batter of the Day. Dozier homered and went 3-for-5, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 11-4 win over the Tigers.
Notables: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir ranks 15th in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. Kazmir (7IP 5K W in the 6-2 win over the Rangers) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 15.1 for the season. He ranks eighth among AL pitchers.
Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman ranks 22nd in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. Stroman (4IP 0R 4K Sv in the 4-2 win over the Orioles) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 13.7 for the season. He ranks ninth among AL pitchers.
Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma ranks 34th in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. Iwakuma (6.1IP W in the 4-3 win over the Angels) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 12.0 for the season. He ranks 19th among AL pitchers.
Fister receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kluber receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Bour and Dozier each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Friday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed, click here.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 926 | Score | Team | Player of the Game | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 15.0 | Nationals | Doug Fister (W, 16-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | |
| AL | 12.0 | Indians | Corey Kluber (W, 18-9) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | |
| 8.0 | Royals | Jeremy Guthrie (W, 13-11) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 7.0 | Blue Jays | Marcus Stroman (S, 1) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 6.2 | Yankees | Chris Capuano (W, 3-4) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||
| 6.0 | Padres | Ian Kennedy (W, 13-13) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | ||
| BAT | 5.0 | Marlins | Justin Bour 1B | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 5.0 | Athletics | Scott Kazmir (W, 15-9) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | ||
| BAT | 4.0 | Twins | Brian Dozier 2B | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 3.2 | `Astros | Brad Peacock | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4.2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 2.1 | Mariners | Hisashi Iwakuma (W, 15-9) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 2.0 | Cubs | Javier Baez SS | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Dodgers | Darwin Barney PH | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Pirates | Mark Melancon (S, 33) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1.0 | Cardinals | Jhonny Peralta SS | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1.0 | Phillies | Cody Asche 3B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Blue Jays' Stroman tops players for Monday, Sept. 8; Kershaw continues quest toward Box-Toppers single-season record
Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman is Monday’s Player of the Day, while Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw keeps his chances alive to break Box-Toppers’ single-season points record.
Most BTP single season
Randy Johnson is the all-time leader in Box-Toppers points in a single season—he scored 33.7 twice, in 2000 and 2002. Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers rose into a tie for seventh place on the "all-time" list Monday (he now has 28.8). And with two or three likely starts remaining, he has a chance to break Randy Johnson's record for most Box-Toppers points in a season.| Rank | Player | Team | Pos | Year | BTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 2000 | 33.7 |
| 1 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 2002 | 33.7 |
| 3 | Pedro Martinez | Red Sox | pi sp | 2000 | 33.5 |
| 4 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 1999 | 31.5 |
| 5 | Pedro Martinez | Red Sox | pi sp | 1999 | 31.4 |
| 6 | Randy Johnson | Dbacks | pi sp | 2001 | 29.4 |
| 7 | Pedro Martinez | Red Sox | pi sp | 2002 | 28.8 |
| 7 | *Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers | pi sp | 2014 | 28.8 |
| 9 | Curt Schilling | Dbacks | pi sp | 2002 | 28.4 |
| 10 | Roger Clemens | Blue Jays | pi sp | 1997 | 27.4 |
* Current season
BTP: Box-Toppers points
Stroman pitched a three-hit, complete game shutout, striking out eight, in the 8-0 win over the Cubs. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 12.7 for the season. He ranks 20th among all players and 12th among American League pitchers.
Kershaw meanwhile solidified his dominant lead among all players in Box-Toppers points (see the updated top 10 player list on the home page) and now has the seventh-best single-season Box-Toppers points total of “all-time,” after earning Player of the Game honors Monday. Kershaw (8IP 8K W in the 9-4 win over the Padres) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 28.8 for the season.
Kershaw is now 4.9 Box-Toppers points behind the all-time single-season record of 33.7 points set twice by Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks—in 2000 and 2002.
With less than three weeks remaining in the season, Kershaw likely has two or three starts remaining. If he only starts two more games, the most he can earn is 4.0 Box-Toppers points (by being overall Player of the Day twice) and would end 0.9 points short of the record. But if he has three starts remaining, he has a chance to break the record if he is Player of the Day twice and at least Player of the Game once. In his 24 starts this season, he has failed to earn Box-Toppers points in only six starts.
While Kershaw’s 28.8 Box-Toppers points is now tied with the 28.8 points earned by Pedro Martinez of the Red Sox in 2002, there are now only two different names ahead of Kershaw on the “all-time” single-season list—Martinez and Johnson. Between 1999 and 2002, the two pitchers produced the seven highest single-season Box-Toppers point totals of “all-time”—Box-Toppers record keeping began in 1995.
If Kershaw earns 1.2 more Box-Toppers points, it will only be the sixth time a player has reached 30.0 Box-Toppers points in a season.
Pirates pitcher Jeff Locke is National League Player of the Day. Locke struck out nine over seven innings, allowing one run, in the 6-4 win over the Phillies.
Albert Pujols of the Angels is AL Batter of the Day. Pujols hit a three-run homer and went 3-for-5, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 12-3 win over the Indians. This is the second time in three days Pujols has earned AL Batter of the Day honors. Earning 1.5 Box-Toppers points, Pujols now has 7.5 points for the season and ranks 10th among AL batters, moving ahead of teammate Mike Trout. Trout also has 7.5 points this season, but Pujols edges him out on the AL batter top 10 list because he has more points over the past two seasons—11.5 vs. 11.0.
There is no NL Batter of the Day Monday because no NL batter earned Player of the Game honors.
Notables: Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez maintained his sixth-place spot in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Monday. (See the updated top 10 player list on the home page.) Hernandez (6IP 0R 8K ND in the 4-1 win over the Astros) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 17.8 for the season. He also maintains his third-place spot among AL pitchers.
Nationals pitcher Doug Fister rises to 23rd in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Monday. Fister (7IP 0R W in the 2-1 win over the Braves) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 12.4 for the season. He ranks eighth among NL pitchers.
Stroman receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Locke receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Pujols receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day,
All of Monday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed, click here.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 908 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 14.0 | Blue Jays | Marcus Stroman (W, 10-5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
| NL | 11.0 | Pirates | Jeff Locke (W, 7-4) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | |
| 8.0 | Cardinals | Shelby Miller (W, 9-9) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 7.0 | Dodgers | Clayton Kershaw (W, 18-3) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 5.0 | Nationals | Doug Fister (W, 13-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| 5.0 | `Mariners | Felix Hernandez | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | ||
| BAT | 4.0 | Angels | Albert Pujols DH | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 3.0 | White Sox | Tyler Flowers C | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.2 | `Mets | Jon Niese | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 2.0 | Tigers | Nick Castellanos 3B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Marlins | Steve Cishek (S, 33) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1.1 | Orioles | Miguel Gonzalez (W, 9-7) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Cubs' Arrieta tops players for Sunday, Aug. 17; Cuddyer earns NL Batter of Day with cycle
Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta, Sunday’s Player of the Day, becomes the 30th player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points.
Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 2-1 win over the Mets. Arrieta picked up a no-decision because after he left the game with the lead, the Mets tied the game at 1-1, before the Cubs scored the go-ahead run in the ninth. Arrieta earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 10.7 for the season. He ranks 27th among all players and 12th among National League pitchers.
Mariners pitcher Chris Young is American League Player of the Day. Young pitched six scoreless innings in the 8-1 win over the Tigers. He earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 12.1 for the season. He ranks 17th among all players and 11th among AL pitchers.
Michael Cuddyer of the Rockies is NL Batter of the Day. Cuddyer hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 10-5 win over the Reds.
Jose Altuve of the Astros is AL Batter of the Day. Altuve hit a grand slam and went 4-for-5 in the 8-1 win over the Red Sox.
Notable: Nationals pitcher Doug Fister rose to 22nd place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Sunday. Fister (7IP 5K ND in the 6-5 win over the Pirates) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 11.4 for the season. He ranks eighth among NL pitchers.
Arrieta receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Young receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Cuddyer and Altuve each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed, click here.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 817 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 12.0 | `Cubs | Jake Arrieta | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | |
| BAT | 5.0 | Rockies | Michael Cuddyer RF, 1B | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| AL | 5.0 | Mariners | Chris Young (W, 12-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
| BAT | 4.0 | Astros | Jose Altuve 2B | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 4.0 | Cardinals | Matt Carpenter 3B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 4.0 | Marlins | Giancarlo Stanton RF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 4.0 | White Sox | Conor Gillaspie 3B | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 4.0 | Braves | Mike Minor (W, 5-8) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 4.0 | `Nationals | Doug Fister | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 3.2 | `Giants | Javier Lopez (H, 8) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 3.0 | Brewers | Jonathan Lucroy C | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 3.0 | Royals | Alex Gordon LF | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Rockies | Drew Stubbs CF | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | `Yankees | Dellin Betances (H, 18) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1.0 | Rangers | Neftali Feliz (W, 1-1) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0.0 | Orioles | Steve Pearce 1B, LF | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
White Sox' Chris Sale, top player for Tuesday, Aug. 12, rises to 9th in Box-Toppers player rankings
White Sox pitcher Chris Sale, Tuesday’s Player of the Day, rises to ninth place in Box-Toppers player rankings.
Sale pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 12 in the 3-2, 10-inning win over the Giants. (Sale did not earn the win because the Giants tied the game after he exited and the White Sox won the game in the 10th inning.) He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 14.7 for the season, moving into ninth place in season Box-Toppers player rankings. (See the updated top 10 player list on the home page.) Sale ranks fifth among all American League pitchers.
Padres pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne is National League Player of the Day. Despaigne pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out eight in the 4-1 win over the Rockies.
Josh Donaldson of the Athletics is AL Batter of the Day. Donaldson hit two home runs and went 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in four runs, in the 11-3 win over the Royals.
Gaby Sanchez of the Pirates is NL Batter of the Day. Sanchez doubled, going 1-for-2 with a run and an RBI, in the 4-2 win over the Tigers.
Notables: Nationals pitcher Doug Fister became the 26th player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors. Fister (7IP 0R W in the 7-1 win over the Mets) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.4 for the season. He is in 24th place among all players and ranks 10th among NL pitchers.
Mariners pitcher Chris Young became the 27th player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points after earning Player of the Game honors. Young (6IP R W in the 9-3 win over the Blue Jays) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.4 for the season. He ranks 25th among all players and 13th among AL pitchers.
Sale receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Despaigne receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Donaldson and Sanchez each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Tuesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed Tuesday, click here.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 812 | Score | Team | Pitcher | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 14.0 | `White Sox | Chris Sale | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | |
| NL | 8.0 | Padres | Odrisamer Despaigne (W, 3-3) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | |
| BAT | 6.0 | Athletics | Josh Donaldson 3B | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 6.0 | Marlins | Jarred Cosart (W, 1-1) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | ||
| 5.1 | Cubs | Kyle Hendricks (W, 4-1) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 5.0 | Astros | Chris Carter DH | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 3.0 | `Rangers | Nick Tepesch | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 3.0 | Nationals | Doug Fister (W, 12-3) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 3.0 | Mariners | Chris Young (W, 11-6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 3.0 | Dodgers | Kenley Jansen (S, 33) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2.0 | Angels | Kole Calhoun RF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| BAT | 1.0 | Pirates | Gaby Sanchez 1B | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 1.0 | Red Sox | Tommy Layne (W, 1-0) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Blue Jays' Drew Hutchison (8.2IP R 8K) tops players for Wednesday, Aug. 6
Blue Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison, Wednesday’s Player of the Day, becomes the 23rd player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points.
Hutchison struck out eight over 8 2/3 innings, allowing one run, in the 5-1 win over the Orioles. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 11.0 for the season. He ranks 18th among all players and 10th among American League pitchers.
Nationals pitcher Doug Fister is National League Player of the Day. Fister struck out seven over 7 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run, in the 7-1 win over the Mets.
Corey Dickerson of the Rockies is NL Batter of the Day. Dickerson tripled, doubled and went 4-for-4, scoring three times and driving in three runs, in the 13-4 win over the Cubs.
Mike Moustakas of the Royals is AL Batter of the Day. Moustakas homered, went 2-for-4 and drove in all four of his team’s runs, in the 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.
Hutchison receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Fister receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Dickerson and Moustakas each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Wednesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed Wednesday, click here.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 806 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 12.2 | Blue Jays | Drew Hutchison (W, 8-9) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | |
| 7.2 | `Yankees | Chris Capuano | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | ||
| NL | 7.1 | Nationals | Doug Fister (W, 11-3) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
| 6.1 | Dodgers | Dan Haren (W, 9-9) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | ||
| BAT | 6.0 | Rockies | Corey Dickerson LF | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 6.0 | Rays | Jeremy Hellickson (W, 1-1) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 5.0 | Reds | Zack Cozart SS | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 3.0 | Giants | Pablo Sandoval 3B | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| BAT | 3.0 | Royals | Mike Moustakas 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 3.0 | Rangers | Adam Rosales 2B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 3.0 | Phillies | Chase Utley 2B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Pirates | Ike Davis 1B | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Red Sox | Junichi Tazawa (W, 2-3) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1.0 | Mariners | Kyle Seager 3B | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1.0 | Padres | Seth Smith LF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Nationals' Fister tops players for Sunday, July 26; Cardinals' Wainwright rises to 4th in Box-Toppers rankings
Nationals pitcher Doug Fister is Sunday’s Player of the Day, while Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright rises to fourth place in Box-Toppers player rankings.
Fister pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and struck out five in the 4-2 win over the Reds.
Wainwright rose from fifth to fourth place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Sunday. (See the updated top 10 player list on the home page.) Wainwright (7IP 0R W in the 1-0 win over the Cubs) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 15.0 for the season. He ranks third among National League pitchers.
Carlos Santana of the Indians is American League Player of the Day. Santana homered twice, went 3-for-3 and drove in four runs, in the 10-3 win over the Royals.
Travis Snider of the Pirates is NL Batter of the Day. Snider hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the 7-5 win over the Rockies.
Fister receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Santana receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Snider receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.
All of Sunday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed Sunday, click here.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 727 | Score | Team | Player | AB | R | H | BI | BB | K | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 8.0 | Nationals | Doug Fister (W, 10-2) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | |
| AL | 6.0 | Indians | Carlos Santana 1B | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 4.1 | Mets | Jacob deGrom (W, 5-5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 4.0 | Orioles | Zach Britton (S, 20) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 4.0 | Dodgers | Kenley Jansen (S, 30) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 3.1 | `Angels | Hector Santiago | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5.1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||
| BAT | 3.0 | Pirates | Travis Snider PH | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 3.0 | `Twins | Yohan Pino | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 3.0 | Red Sox | Koji Uehara (S, 21) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 2.0 | Phillies | Ryan Howard 1B | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Braves | Tommy La Stella 2B | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2.0 | Cardinals | Adam Wainwright (W, 13-5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| 2.0 | Blue Jays | Casey Janssen (S, 16) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1.0 | Athletics | John Jaso C | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 0.0 | Marlins | Marcell Ozuna CF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka (CG 0R 8K) tops players for Wednesday, May 14, rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers player rankings
Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, Wednesday’s Player of the Day, rises to second place in Box-Toppers season player rankings and is now the top-ranked American League pitcher.
Tanaka pitched a complete game shutout, allowing four hits and striking out eight, in the 4-0 win over the Mets. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 7.7 for the season. He passes Max Scherzer of the Tigers (6.7 Box-Toppers points) to lead AL pitchers in player rankings. He trails only Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies (9.1 Box-Toppers points), the overall leader. (See the updated top 10 player rankings for the season on the home page.)
Nationals pitcher Doug Fister is National League Player of the Day. Fister struck out six over seven innings, allowing only one run, in the 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
Hunter Pence of the Giants is NL Batter of the Day. Pence homered and went 4-for-5, driving in three runs, in the 10-4 win over the Braves.
David Ortiz of the Red Sox is American League Batter of the Day. Ortiz homered twice and went 3-for-5 in the 9-4 win over the Twins.
Tanaka receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Fister receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Pence and Ortiz each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Wednesday’s other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point.
Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Red Sox' Lackey, Cards' Holliday top players in LCS games for Tuesday, Oct. 15
John Lackey, who threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and struck out eight, leading the Red Sox to win Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, is Tuesday's Box-Toppers Player of the Day.
The Red Sox won 1-0 to take a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven ALCS series.
Lackey had 6.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 148th among all players.
Meanwhile, Matt Holliday of the Cardinals is Box-Toppers Player of the Game in the National League Championship Series Game 4. Holliday hit a two-run home run and went 2-for-4 in the Cardinals 4-2 win over the Dodgers. The Cardinals take a three-games-to-one lead over the Dodgers in the NLCS.
Holliday had 6.5 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 121st among all players.
Coming Wednesday: Both League Championship Series continue Wednesday. Here are the pitching match-ups:
NLCS Game 5, Cardinals lead Dodgers 3-1
Cardinals: Joe Kelly, 4.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 264th overall
Dodgers: Zack Greinke, 19.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked third overall (see the Top 10 Player Ranking list on the home page)
While the pitching match-up in the game favors Greinke, the best pitcher hasn't always guaranteed a team's victory in this series. In fact, in the first three games of the series, the top three pitchers in Box-Toppers Player Rankings started games and in each game, his team lost:
- Greinke picked up a no-decision in the Dodgers' Game 1 loss.
- Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (21.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked first) picked up the loss in Game 2.
- Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (20.2 Box-Toppers points, ranked second) picked up the loss in Game 3.
ALCS Game 4, Red Sox lead Tigers 2-1
Red Sox: Jake Peavy, 8.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 84th overall
Tigers: Doug Fister, 6.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 113th overall
In
regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of
the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top batter
in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games.
However, no Box-Toppers points are awarded during the postseason.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1015 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 10.2 | Red Sox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | John Lackey (W, 2-0) | 6.2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |||
| NL | 1.0 | Cardinals | Matt Holliday LF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cards' Michael Wacha tops players in Monday, Oct. 7's playoff games
Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha is Monday's Player of the Day among the four League Division Series playoff games.
Wacha gave up only one hit—a solo home run—over 7 1/3 innings and struck out nine in the 2-1 win over the Pirates to tie the National League Division series 2-2. Wacha had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning when he gave up the home run to Pedro Alvarez.
Wacha had 3.0 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 361st overall. However, he didn't make his Box-Toppers debut until Sept. 8 (the first time he earned Player of the Game honors) and on Sept. 24, he was Box-Toppers Player of the Day, when he was one out away from a no-hitter against the Nationals.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw earned Player of the Game honors in the other NLDS game. Kershaw, Box-Toppers 2013 Player of the Season, had not been scheduled to start Monday but opted to make his first career start on short rest (he last started Thursday, Oct. 3). He pitched six innings and struck out six in the 4-3 win to eliminate the Braves in the NLDS series 3-1. Kershaw earned a no-decision because he left with the game tied 2-2.
Kershaw had 21.7 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, the most of any player. The Dodgers advance to the best-of-seven NL Championship Series against either the Pirates or the Cardinals beginning Friday.
Jose Lobaton of the Rays is American League Player of the Day. Lobaton hit a walk-off homer in the 5-4 win over the Red Sox. The Rays trail the series 2-1 but force a Game Four. Lobaton had 3.5 Box-Toppers points during the regular season, ranking 299th overall.
Coco Crisp of the Athletics is Player of the Game in the other ALDS game. Crisp was 3-for-4 in the 6-3 win over the Tigers. The Athletics lead the series 2-1. Crisp had 4.0 Box-Toppers points for the season, ranking 255th overall.
Coming Tuesday: Both American League Division Series continue Tuesday. Here are the pitching match-ups:
ALDS Game 4, Athletics lead Tigers 2-1
Athletics: Dan Straily, 7.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 96th overall
Tigers: Doug Fister, 6.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked 113th overall
ALDS Game 4, Red Sox lead Rays 2-1
Red Sox: Jake Peavy, 8.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 84th overall
Rays: Jeremy Hellickson, 6.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked 136th overall
In regular season games, 2.0 Box-Toppers points are awarded for Player of the Day, 1.7 for top player in the opposite league, 1.5 for top batter in each league and 1.0 for the top player in each of the other games. However, no Box-Toppers points are awarded during the postseason.
Top player from each game
Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score
| 1007 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 11.1 | Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Michael Wacha (W, 1-0) | 7.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | |||
| 6.0 | `Dodgers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Clayton Kershaw | 6.0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |||
| AL | 2.0 | Rays | Jose Lobaton C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1.0 | Athletics | Coco Crisp CF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
Clayton Kershaw, striking out 11, is top player for Tuesday, May 14
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is Tuesday's Player of the Day. Kershaw struck out 11 and gave up no runs over 8 2/3 innings in the 2-0 win over the Nationals.
Kershaw moves up to fifth place in season Box-Toppers player rankings. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day and now has 7.0 points, behind season leader Yu Darvish (8.0).
Tigers pitcher Doug Fister is American League Player of the Day. Fister struck out seven over seven innings in the 6-2 win over the Astros.
Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals is National League Batter of the Day. Beltran homered, went 3-for-5 and drove in four in the 10-4 win over the Mets.
Robinson Cano of the Yankees is American League Batter of the Day. Cano went 2-for-3 in the 4-3 win over the Mariners.
Standings update: Pitcher Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks rose to ninth place among players for the season. Corbin was Player of the Game in the 2-0 win over the Dodgers and earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 6.4 for the season.
Kershaw receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Fister receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Beltran and Cano receive 1.5 each for being top Batter of the Day in their league.
All of Tuesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:
| 514 | Score | Team | BATTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | - | - | PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | 13.2 | Dodgers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Clayton Kershaw (W, 4-2) | 8.2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | ||
| 9.0 | Reds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Homer Bailey (W, 2-3) | 9.0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | |||
| 7.0 | Rockies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Jeff Francis (W, 2-3) | 6.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | |||
| AL | 5.0 | Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Doug Fister (W, 5-1) | 7.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | ||
| BAT | 4.0 | Cardinals | Carlos Beltran RF | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4.0 | Angels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Jason Vargas (W, 2-3) | 7.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | |||
| 4.0 | White Sox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Jake Peavy (W, 5-1) | 7.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |||
| 4.0 | Diamondbacks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Patrick Corbin (W, 6-0) | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | |||
| 4.0 | Blue Jays | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | R.A. Dickey (W, 3-5) | 6.0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |||
| 4.0 | Rays | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fernando Rodney (S, 7) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||
| 3.0 | Phillies | John Mayberry CF, RF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 3.0 | Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tanner Scheppers (W, 3-0) | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| BAT | 2.0 | Yankees | Robinson Cano 2B | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1.1 | `Padres | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Andrew Cashner | 7.1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 1.0 | Pirates | Neil Walker 2B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.