Pete Crow-Armstrong’s MVP case is real, not just a product of Cubs hype, and Shohei Ohtani’s knee issues have made the National League MVP race much tighter as the season heads into its final few weeks. Ohtani remains an extraordinary player and a formidable candidate, but his inability to pitch since early July gives Crow-Armstrong a clearer path to the award if the Cubs center fielder finishes strong.
Start with the numbers, because that’s where award ballots begin and end. Through mid-August, Crow-Armstrong is slashing roughly .279/.378/.534 with 27 home runs, 73 RBI and 30 stolen bases, good for an OPS in the .910 range. That is a rare power-speed profile from a premium defensive position. He is not doing this as a designated hitter or a corner outfielder with limited responsibilities; he is doing it while playing center field, covering enormous ground, changing games with his glove and creating pressure every time he reaches base.
The advanced numbers add even more credibility. Baseball-Reference lists Crow-Armstrong at approximately 7 WAR this season, placing him squarely in MVP-caliber territory. Baseball Savant also shows real quality of contact behind the production: his average exit velocity is 90.3 mph, his hard-hit rate is 48.8 percent, and his barrel rate is 12.1 percent. In other words, this is not a hot streak fueled by bloops, seeing-eye singles or a few fortunate wind-blown home runs at Wrigley Field. He is hitting the baseball hard, impacting games with speed and defense, and building an all-around profile that has become harder for the rest of the league to ignore.
Then there is the Shohei factor. Ohtani is still the most intimidating name in the race because of his reputation, his offensive production and the unmatched value he brings when he is both hitting and pitching. He won the NL MVP in 2025 after hitting 55 home runs while also making 14 starts with a 2.87 ERA. That history matters because voters know exactly how high Ohtani’s ceiling can be.
But this season’s race is about what happens on the field in 2026, not simply what Ohtani has accomplished in the past. Ohtani has dealt with left-knee inflammation since June and has not pitched in a game since July 3. The Dodgers have kept him active as their everyday designated hitter for most of that span, and the injury has not prevented him from remaining dangerous at the plate. Still, the lack of pitching is significant. The extraordinary two-way advantage that often separates Ohtani from the rest of the sport has been reduced, at least for this stretch of the season.
That opens a legitimate door for Crow-Armstrong. Ohtani’s absence from the mound does not erase his MVP candidacy, and it would be foolish to act like he has suddenly become an ordinary player. However, an MVP race can turn on small margins. If Crow-Armstrong continues producing at this rate while playing elite center-field defense, running wild on the bases and helping push the Cubs toward meaningful September baseball, he can make a convincing argument that his total contribution exceeded Ohtani’s this season.
The late-season narrative matters, too. Voters remember who delivers when games become more urgent. If Crow-Armstrong hits a few more huge homers, reaches the 30-homer/30-steal mark, makes several more game-saving catches, and helps carry Chicago through a playoff race, it will be difficult to dismiss him as merely a fun young player having a good year. He would be a complete star putting together one of the best all-around seasons in baseball. MLB’s official stats list him with 27 homers and 30 steals already, putting that 30/30 milestone directly within reach.
That is why the he is not worthy of the attention criticism from some non-Cubs fans is so weak. Rival fans understandably notice the emotion first. Crow-Armstrong can be animated. He can talk. He can show frustration after an at-bat or let everyone know when he is feeling himself after a big play. Those moments are easy to clip, mock and exaggerate, particularly when a young player is wearing a Cubs uniform and becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable faces.
But the attention is not manufactured. You do not accidentally post an OPS above .900, hit 27 home runs, steal 30 bases and compile MVP-level value. His passion may make him polarizing, but it is also part of why Cubs fans connect with him. He plays as if every at-bat matters, every catch matters and every game matters. That intensity can bother opponents, but it is hard to argue with a player whose effort is so visible.
If he finishes near the top of the MVP vote — or brings home the award — it should force many of those critics to reconsider. It would not mean every animated reaction or heated remark was perfect. It would mean the overall body of work was too substantial to dismiss. An MVP trophy would be a direct answer to the idea that Crow-Armstrong is famous because of personality rather than performance: the production says he deserves the spotlight.
It is also worth remembering that he is only 24 years old. He is still learning how to deal with a full major-league season, opponent scouting reports, media pressure, social media and the scrutiny that comes with becoming a Cubs star. Young players often need time to learn when to speak, when to let things go and how to channel frustration without giving critics material to use against them.
Here’s the thing, folks: Crow-Armstrong will likely get better in that department. The best young stars learn over time that they do not have to answer every jab or win every verbal battle. He can keep the edge, the confidence and the competitive fire while becoming more selective with hot-headed comments. That does not require him to become boring or robotic. It simply means letting his game do more of the talking.
With that . . . As the season enters its final weeks, Crow-Armstrong has a genuine opportunity. Ohtani’s knee injury and extended absence from pitching have narrowed the gap in a race that once appeared tilted heavily toward the Dodgers superstar. If PCA stays productive, remains healthy and delivers in the Cubs’ biggest moments, he could turn a breakout season into an MVP season — and make a lot of people who questioned both his talent and his attention level finally quiet down.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!