Pirates’ Skenes fails to win B-T points, despite high game score, in loss to Orioles
Wednesday, Sept. 10 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.)
Skenes records day’s 2nd-best game score, but stays in 2nd among NL pitchers with no Player of the Game win
Paul Skenes had Wednesday’s second-highest Box-Toppers game score but did not win Player of the Game honors because his Pirates lost to the Orioles, 2-1, in 10 innings.
Skenes had the chance to take the 2025 Box-Toppers points lead among National League pitchers by earning Player of the Game honors. Instead, he holds steady with 20.1 Box-Toppers points in second place behind Zack Wheeler of the Phillies. While Wheeler also has 20.1 points on the season, he ranks ahead of Skenes on a tiebreaker with more 2024 points—21.4 vs. 13.0.
Skenes recorded a +11.0 Box-Toppers game score (5IP 2H 0R 0BB 8K ND), which was behind only the +13.0 game score recorded by overall Player of the Day, Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (6IP 2H 0R 2BB 11K W in the 9-0 win over the Rockies). Skenes’ score was the highest among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors.
Player of the Game honors went to Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells (6.2IP H R BB 6K ND), who recorded a +8.2 game score in the win over the Pirates.
Skenes remains in third place overall, behind NL leader Wheeler and behind overall leader, Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, who has 22.1 Box-Toppers points. Skenes still likely has three starts remaining for the season. Skenes is guaranteed to pass Wheeler by earning one more Player of the Game honor this season because Wheeler is out for the season with venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which requires thoracic outlet decompression surgery with a recovery time of six to eight months.
In addition Wednesday, the third-place NL pitcher, Nick Pivetta of the Padres (17.7 Box-Toppers points), also did not earn Box-Toppers points in his start despite having the second-best Box-Toppers game score among players who did not win Player of the Game honors. See more on Pivetta in the sidelight sidebar details below.
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:
Wednesday’s top pitching matchup—CIN at SD
Andrew Abbott, Reds, 9.7 B-T points in 2025, 16th*
Nick Pivetta, Padres, 17.7 B-T points in 2025, 3rd*
*Rank among NL pitchers, 2025
Result—CIN 2, SD 1
▪️Andrew Abbott, Reds, was Player of the Game (8IP 5H R 2BB 6K W) with +5.0 B-T game score.
▪️Nick Pivetta, Padres, had +10.0 B-T game score in loss (7IP 4H 0R BB 8K ND).
▶︎ Abbott earns 1.0 B-T point, giving 10.7 for 2025, rising to 11th among NL pitchers.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:
▪️+11.0—Paul Skenes, Pirates (5IP 2H 0R 0BB 8K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. BAL.
Player of the Game—Tyler Wells, Orioles (6.2IP H R BB 6K ND) with +8.2 game score.
▪️+10.0—️Nick Pivetta, Padres (7IP 4H 0R BB 8K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. CIN.
Player of the Game—️Andrew Abbott, Reds (8IP 5H R 2BB 6K W) with +5.0 game score.
▪️+5.0—Mookie Betts, Dodgers (HR 2B 4-5 R 5BI)
Was not Player of the Game in win vs. COL.
Player of the Game—Teammate Blake Snell (6IP 2H 0R 2BB 11K W) with +13.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 487 total players Wednesday, 149 pitchers
-14.8—Mason Montgomery, Rays (0.2IP 5H 5R BB K L vs. CHW)
-11.9—Carson Seymour, Giants
-9.8—Anthony Molina, Rockies
-8.9—Jackson Rutledge, Nationals
-8.9—Luke Weaver, Yankees
-8.9—Gregory Soto, Mets
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 338 total batters Wednesday
-6.0—Alec Burleson, Cardinals 0-6 3K
-5.0—Adrian Del Castillo, Diamondbacks 0-5 4K
-5.0—Brandon Lowe, Rays 0-5 4K
-5.0—Kody Clemens, Twins 0-5 3K
-5.0—Noelvi Marte, Reds 0-5 3K
Box-Toppers uses Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and other sources to compile this information.