Padres pitcher Dylan Cease likely eliminated from Box-Toppers Player of the Year contention after failing to win B-T Player of the Game honors in his final regular-season start of 2024 Wednesday, a loss to the Dodgers (5IP 5H 3R 3BB 4K ND).

Cease is third in 2024 B-T points (21.1).

Two players now vie for Box-Toppers Player of the Year:

• Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler, 21.4 B-T points, first overall, could secure the title in his scheduled start Saturday.

• Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, 20.7 B-T points, fourth overall. If Wheeler does not win Player of the Game Saturday, Imanaga could pass him Sunday in his scheduled start.

There’s a remote chance Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (21.1 Box-Toppers points, second overall) could rise to win 2024 B-T Player of the Year if he's called upon Sunday to pitch on short rest and wins Player of the Game honors. Skubal made his last scheduled start of the regular season on Tuesday.