Emergency reliever Assad posts Sunday’s highest B-T game score, but Cubs lose
Sunday, June 7 Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
Assad fails to win top player honors, despite Sunday’s best game score, as Cubs fall to Giants in extra innings
Javier Assad, who came on in emergency relief, recorded Sunday’s highest Box-Toppers game score, but did not win Player of the Game honors as the Cubs lost in extra innings.
Assad struck out five over 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk and posting a +9.1 Box-Toppers game score, best among the day’s 454 total players. But he did not win Player of the Game honors because the Cubs lost to the Giants, 2-1 in 10 innings.
Instead, Giants’ closing pitcher Dylan Smith (1IP 0H 0R 0BB K Sv), who recorded a +2.0 Box-Toppers score, won his first career Player of the Game honor.
Jameson Taillon started the game for the Cubs, but exited with a left hamstring strain after issuing a walk to the leadoff hitter in the second inning, Matt Chapman. Taillon (1IP 2H R 2BB 2K ND) recorded a -3.0 Box-Toppers game score.
Assad has 2.0 Box-Toppers points in 2026.
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.
Sunday’s top pitching matchup—BOS at NYY
⚾️ Ranger Suárez, Red Sox, 20.8 B-T points over 2025-26, 6th*
⚾️ Cam Schlittler, Yankees, 16.1 B-T points over 2025-26, 15th*
*Rank among AL pitchers, 2025-26
Result—NYY 6, BOS 1
✅ Schlittler won Player of the Game honors (5.2IP 4H R BB 5K ND) with +3.2 B-T game score.
🔻 Suárez (6.1IP 6H R 0BB 6K ND) had +4.1 B-T game score in the loss.
▶️ Schlittler earns 1.0 B-T point, giving him 17.1 over 2025-26, rising to 13th among AL pitchers over that span.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:
▪️+9.1—Javier Assad, Cubs (6.1IP H 0R BB 5K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. SF
Player of the Game—Dylan Smith, Giants (1IP 0H 0R 0BB K Sv) with +2.0 game score.
▪️+5.2—Luis Castillo, Mariners (5.2IP 2H R BB 5K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. DET.
Player of the Game—Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (HR 2-4 R 3BI) with +2.0 game score.
▪️+5.0—Jo Adell, Angels (HR 4-5 4R 2BI)
Was not Player of the Game in win vs. LAD.
Player of the Game—Teammate Sebastián Rivero (2B 5-5 R 6BI) with +7.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 454 total players Sunday, 135 pitchers
-17.8—Jonathan Hernández, Dodgers (1.2IP 7H 6R BB K in loss vs. LAA)
-15.9—Jaden Hill, Rockies
-13.0—Joey Cantillo, Guardians
-11.9—Beck Way, Royals
-11.9—Aaron Nola, Phillies
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 319 total batters Sunday
-6.0—Mike Trout, Angels 0-6 2K
-5.0—Oswald Peraza, Angels 0-5 4K
-5.0—Casey Schmitt, Giants 0-5 2K
-5.0—Alex Bregman, Cubs 0-5 K
-5.0—Brooks Lee, Twins 0-5 K
-5.0—Joc Pederson, Rangers 0-5 K
About Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
A review of the day’s top pitchers, overlooked performers, and lowest game scores. For the full list of Player of the Game winners, check today’s Daily Scorecard or visit Box-Toppers.com.
