Phillies’ Luzardo posts high game score but loses in day’s top pitching matchup vs. Yankees
Friday, July 24 Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
Luzardo records Friday’s 4th-best overall game score, but is bested by Yankees’ Schlittler, who tops all players
Friday’s top pitching matchup lived up to its billing as Cam Schlittler of the Yankees and Jesús Luzardo of the Phillies both recorded among the top four Box-Toppers game scores of the day.
The Yankees beat the Phillies, 1-0, on a solo homer by Paul Goldschmidt, and Schlittler won Player of the Game and overall Player of the Day honors, with the highest overall game score of +16.1. Schlittler struck out 12 over 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits, no walks and picking up the win.
However, Luzardo performed well despite the loss, recording the day’s fourth-highest game score of +10.0, striking out nine over seven innings, allowing one run (the Goldschmidt homer), three hits and one walk.
Luzardo is one of two players Friday with a +10.0 game score who did not win Player of the Game honors. Royals pitcher Noah Cameron also did it (7IP 2H 0R 3BB 8K ND in the 2-1 loss to the Tigers), ranking ahead of Luzardo for highest game score among non-Player of the Game winners on a tiebreaker—Cameron picked up a no-decision in his game while Luzardo earned the loss in his.
With his Player of the Day honor, Schlittler passed Luzardo in season player rankings, rising from fifth to second with 15.7 Box-Toppers points. Luzardo, meanwhile, falls from fourth to fifth with 14.0 points.
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.
Friday’s top pitching matchup—NYY at PHI
⚾️ Cam Schlittler, Yankees, 13.7 B-T points in 2026, 5th*
⚾️ Jesús Luzardo, Phillies, 14.0 B-T points in 2026, 4th*
*Overall rank, 2026
Result—NYY 1, PHI 0
✅ Schlittler won Player of the Game honors (7.1IP 3H 0R 0BB 12K W) with +16.1 B-T game score, best among all players Friday.
🔻 Luzardo (7IP 3H R BB 9K L) had +10.0 B-T game score in the loss, 4th-best among all players Friday.
▶️ Schlittler earns 2.0 B-T points as overall Player of the Day, giving him 15.7 for 2026, rising to 2nd overall.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:
▪️+10.0—Noah Cameron, Royals (7IP 2H 0R 3BB 8K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. DET.
Player of the Game—Tarik Skubal, Tigers (7.1IP 4H R 2BB 12K W) with +11.1 game score.
▪️+10.0—Jesús Luzardo, Phillies (7IP 3H R BB 9K L)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. NYY.
Player of the Game—Cam Schlittler, Yankees (7.1IP 3H 0R 0BB 12K W) with +16.1 game score.
▪️+6.0—Jared Jones, Pirates (6IP 2H R BB 5K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. CHC.
Player of the Game—Caleb Thielbar, Cubs (1IP 0H 0R 0BB K W) with +2.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 461 total players Friday, 138 pitchers
-11.9—Bryce Miller, Mariners (5.1IP 6H 5R BB 0K L vs. TEX)
-11.8—Joey Cantillo, Guardians
-11.0—Grayson Rodriguez, Angels
-10.8—Bryan Hudson, White Sox
-9.0—Spencer Arrighetti, Astros
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 323 total batters Friday
-5.0—Michael Busch, Cubs 0-5 2K
-5.0—Tommy Edman, Dodgers 0-5 2K
-5.0—Wade Meckler, Angels 0-5 2K
-5.0—Bryan Reynolds, Pirates 0-5 2K
-5.0—Heliot Ramos, Giants 0-5 2K
⚾️ PREVIEW
Saturday’s top pitching matchup—TOR at BOS
⚾️ Dylan Cease, Blue Jays, 14.4 B-T points in 2026, 2nd*
⚾️ Sonny Gray, Red Sox, 10.0 B-T points in 2026, 8th*
*Rank among AL pitchers, 2026
All of Saturday’s 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.
