Messick records highest game score among Tuesday’s non-Player of the Game winners
Tuesday, June 23 Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
Guardians pitcher strikes out 10, recording +9.2 game score, but does not win top player honors in loss
Guardians pitcher Parker Messick posted Tuesday’s highest Box-Toppers game score among non-Player of the Game winners.
Messick struck out 10 over 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, three hits and one walk, but picked up the loss, as the Guardians fell to the White Sox, 2-1. Messick’s +9.2 Box-Toppers game score was third-highest among all 437 who played in Major League games on Tuesday.
Player of the Game honors instead went to the White Sox’ top player, closing pitcher Sean Newcomb (2.2IP 0H 0R BB 2K Sv), who recorded a +3.2 game score.
Messick has 6.7 Box-Toppers points in 2026, 12th among American League pitchers.
Below is a further look at Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar, reviewing the day’s top pitchers, overlooked top performers, lowest Box-Toppers game scores and a preview of the coming day’s top pitchers.
Top Tuesday pitchers
One of the three pitchers with the most 2025-26 Box-Toppers points among Tuesday’s starters earned Player of the Game honors:
▪️Jesús Luzardo, Phillies
26.4 Box-Toppers points over 2025-26, 5th overall
🔻 Was not Player of the Game in win vs. WSH.
(6.2IP 6H 5R 3BB 13K ND), +0.2 B-T game score.
Player of the Game—Teammate Bryson Stott (HR 3-4 4R 3BI) with +6.0 game score.
▪️Sonny Gray, Red Sox
20.0 Box-Toppers points over 2025-26, 16th overall
✅ Won Player of the Game in win vs. COL.
(7IP 6H R 3BB 11K W), +7.0 B-T game score.
▶️ Gray earns 1.0 B-T point, giving him 21.0 over 2025-26, rising to 14th overall.
▪️Carlos Rodón, Yankees
15.4 Box-Toppers points over 2025-26, 32nd overall
🔻 Was not Player of the Game in win vs. DET.
(5.1IP 6H 3R 2BB 5K W), -3.9 B-T game score.
Player of the Game—Teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. (HR 2-4 2R 2BI) with +2.0 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:
▪️+9.2—Parker Messick, Guardians (7.2IP 3H 2R BB 10K L)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. CHW.
Player of the Game—Sean Newcomb, White Sox (2.2IP 0H 0R BB 2K Sv) with +3.2 game score.
▪️+7.0—Nick Lodolo, Reds (4IP 2H 0R BB 6K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. MIL.
Player of the Game—Brandon Sproat, Brewers (6IP H 0R 0BB 10K W) with +15.0 game score.
▪️+5.0—Albert Suárez, Orioles (3IP 0H 0R BB 3K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. LAA.
Player of the Game—Ryan Johnson, Angels (6IP H 0R BB 8K W) with +12.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 437 total players Tuesday, 124 pitchers
-17.0—Austin Voth, Twins (4IP 11H 6R 5ER BB 2K L vs. LAD)
-16.0—Taylor Rogers, Twins
-15.8—Brad Lord, Nationals
-12.9—Jose Corniell, Rangers
-12.0—Steven Matz, Rays
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 313 total batters Tuesday
-6.0—Christian Walker, Astros 0-6 3K
-5.0—Curtis Mead, Nationals 0-5 4K
-5.0—Jarren Duran, Red Sox 0-5 3K
-5.0—James Wood, Nationals 0-5 3K
⚾️ PREVIEW
Wednesday’s top pitching matchup—SEA at PIT
⚾️ Bryan Woo, Mariners, 10.4 B-T points in 2026, 5th*
⚾️ Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates, 10.4 B-T points in 2026, 7th*
*Overall rank, 2026
Though they both have 10.4 points in 2026, Woo ranks higher than Ashcraft with more 2025 points—18.0 vs. 4.7.
All Wednesday pitching matchups
About Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
A review of the day’s top pitchers, overlooked performers, lowest game scores and a preview of the coming day’s top pitchers. For the full list of Player of the Game winners, check today’s Daily Scorecard or visit Box-Toppers.com.
