At the start of the season, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani would win the National League MVP. Pete Crow-Armstrong has entered the race and has staked his claim on the award, especially after a big series against the Dodgers.
“I think it’s fun watching Pete have this season,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell on Marquee Network’s postgame broadcast. “You remember seasons like this, you cherish seasons like this, from individual players.”
Perhaps the most fitting moment for Crow-Armstrong came in the Dodgers series finale. Following a leadoff home run by Ohtani, he answered with two of his own.
For the series, Crow-Armstrong went 6-for-13 with a double, two home runs, and two stolen bases against Los Angeles. Following his big performance to complete the sweep, his MVP candidacy became widely discussed on X.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Makes MVP Case vs. Dodgers
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 1: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates scoring during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field on August 1, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
With Shohei Ohtani’s pitching limited due to knee and biceps injuries, it’s opened the door for a player like Crow-Armstrong to make a run at the MVP award. The 24-year-old has run right through the open door and is now looking like the favorite in mid-August.
On the season, Crow-Armstrong is slashing .288/.386/.552 with 26 home runs, 28 stolen bases, and a 156 wRC+. In addition to the strong bat, he is also one of the premier defenders in the league. He leads all MLB players in Outs Above Average (+22) and could be in line for his first career Platinum Glove.
He leads all MLB players in Wins Above Replacement, the most commonly cited value metric, with 7.0 bWAR and 7.5 fWAR. That’s led to his second consecutive All-Star Game selection.
Just Baseball posted a graphic on X showing how impressive Crow-Armstrong’s season could turn out to be. He’s on pace for a 37-homer, 39-steal, and 10.8 WAR season. Depending on how hot he finishes the season, a 40/40 season is in play.
The last time a player had a 10-WAR season and didn’t win the MVP was Mike Trout in 2013. He lost out to the Detroit Tigers‘ Miguel Cabrera, the reigning MVP winner.
Perhaps aiding Crow-Armstrong’s case is that the Cubs are currently at the top of the Wild Card standings. Despite an impressive 66-49 record, Chicago is nowhere close to the National League Central lead. But that says more about the first-place Brewers than the Cubs.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Performance Sparks MVP Debate
Following the game, analysts Chris Young and Harold Reynolds restarted the MVP debate on MLB Network.
“What I don’t see on any graphic with PCA is, what is his ERA? How many innings did he pitch? How many did he strikeout?” asked Reynolds.
Reynolds’ point comes to the fact that Shohei Ohtani is both a pitcher and a hitter. Greg Amsinger quickly retorted that Pete Crow-Armstrong is the best defensive center fielder in baseball.
“I get it, but what’s more important? 85 innings or the best defensive center fielder in the game?” replied Amsinger. “Pete Crow-Armstrong could be the first 40 (home runs)/40 (stolen bases) center fielder in baseball!”
Young, a former All-Star outfielder, then chimed in.
“At some point, it going to come down to voters to what’s more valuable? If Shohei stays at 85 innings pitched, how do we compare the 85 innings pitched, no matter how good the 85 innings were at the time, to a guy who played 150 games?
“How do you compare the two? 85 elite innings is more valuable than 150 games of being the best defender in baseball?”
The segment ultimately turned into a shouting match. The entire crux of the debate for the MVP voters is whether they value Ohtani’s pitching more than Crow-Armstrong’s potential historic center field season.
Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong Makes MVP Statement in Sweep of Dodgers