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Shohei Ohtani’s dominance in the National League MVP race has faced its first serious challenge this season, with Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong emerging as a legitimate contender. The two stars put on a showcase Wednesday at Wrigley Field, each launching two home runs and combining for seven RBIs in a 7-6 Cubs victory that completed a series sweep.
Crow-Armstrong has delivered stellar performance both offensively and defensively throughout the 2024 campaign, but his standout display against Ohtani and the Dodgers intensified the MVP debate heading down the stretch. The Cubs star acknowledged the growing conversation around the award while maintaining perspective on what matters most to his team’s success.
“I would be crazy to say that I don’t want to win an MVP, but if we’re talking about having priorities straight, I think mine are pretty straight,” Crow-Armstrong told ESPN following the contest. “It’s not on the forefront of my mind. It’s fun to joke about it, and it’s fun to acknowledge.”
Crow-Armstrong’s competitive position is bolstered by Ohtani’s absence from the mound, with the Dodgers star sidelined since July 3 due to left knee soreness. The Cubs outfielder quipped that he might need to take up pitching to close the gap if Ohtani returns to full two-way duties.
As of Thursday, both players held co-favorite status at FanDuel Sportsbook for the NL MVP award. Through roughly 50 remaining regular season games, Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani have posted comparable statistics, each with 26 home runs, though Ohtani leads with 70 RBIs compared to Crow-Armstrong’s 69 and maintains a superior .953 OPS to his rival’s .938.
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