Burke Ks 10 but does not win Player of the Game in White Sox loss to Nationals
Saturday, Sept. 27 Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
(The Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar reviews the day’s top pitchers, overlooked top performers and players recording the day’s lowest Box-Toppers game scores. Separately, the Daily Scorecard post features each day’s list of Player of the Game winners. See a link to that post elsewhere on this page or go to Box-Toppers.com.)
Cubs’ Busch does not win Player of the Game despite 2 homers in win vs. Cards; teammate Taillon wins instead
White Sox pitcher Sean Burke had Saturday’s highest Box-Toppers game score among those who did not win Player of the Game honors.
Burke (4.1IP 3H 2R BB 10K ND) recorded a +6.1 Box-Toppers game score, but the White Sox lost to the Nationals, 6-5. Player of the Game instead went to the Nationals player with the highest game score (+3.0), pitcher Julian Fernández (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K W).
Also Saturday, Michael Busch of the Cubs (2HR 3B 2B 4-4 2R 4BI) recorded the highest Box-Toppers game score among the day’s 312 batters (+6.0) but did not win Player of the Game honors in the 7-3 win over the Cardinals. Player of the Game instead went to teammate, pitcher Jameson Taillon (6IP 3H R 2BB 8K W), who recorded a higher game score, +7.0.
Below is a further look at Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar, reviewing the day’s top pitchers, overlooked top performers and lowest Box-Toppers game scores.
Box-Toppers Daily Scorecard post listing all B-T Player of the Game winners:
Saturday’s top pitching matchup—LAD at SEA
Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers, 16.7 B-T points over 2024-25, 61st*
Logan Gilbert, Mariners, 26.1 B-T points over 2024-25, 19th*
*Overall rank, 2024-25
Result—LAD 5, SEA 3
Neither starter was Player of the Game.
▪️Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers, had +2.0 B-T game score (3IP 3H 0R BB 3K ND).
▪️Logan Gilbert, Mariners, had +1.0 B-T game score in loss (5IP 4H 2R BB 5K ND).
▶︎Player of the Game—Alex Vesia, Dodgers (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K W) with +4.0 game score.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:
▪️+6.1—Sean Burke, White Sox (4.1IP 3H 2R BB 10K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. WSH.
Player of the Game—Julian Fernández, Nationals (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K W) with +3.0 game score.
▪️+6.0—Michael Busch, Cubs (2HR 3B 2B 4-4 2R 4BI)
Was not Player of the Game in win vs. STL.
Player of the Game—Teammate Jameson Taillon (6IP 3H R 2BB 8K W) with +7.0 game score.
▪️+4.1—Eury Pérez, Marlins (5.1IP 3H 3R 3BB 11K L)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. NYM.
Player of the Game—Clay Holmes, Mets (6IP H 0R 3BB 2K W) with +4.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 440 total players Saturday, 128 pitchers
-7.8—Grant Wolfram, Orioles (0.2IP H 2R 3BB 0K ND vs. NYY)
-7.0—Andrew Heaney, Dodgers
-6.9—Ranger Suárez, Phillies
-6.8—Michael McGreevy Cardinals
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 312 total batters Saturday
-5.0—CJ Abrams, Nationals 0-5 2K
-5.0—Tommy Edman, Dodgers 0-5 K
-5.0—Starling Marte, Mets 0-5 K
-5.0—Nico Hoerner, Cubs 0-5
Box-Toppers uses Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and other sources to compile this information.