For the first time since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 MLB season, Shohei Ohtani isn't running the National League MVP race alone. Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong has joined him, and the circumstances and numbers may fall in place for the center fielder to take home the honors.
Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani put on a must-see duel at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon, each hitting two home runs and combining for seven RBI in what turned out to be a 7-6 win for the Cubs. While PCA has made serious noise at the dish and in center field throughout the season, a memorable outing against Ohtani and the Dodgers to cap off a series sweep for his club intensified the NL MVP conversation.
Crow-Armstrong admitted after Wednesday's contest that he's enjoying all of the hype, but winning the award isn't at the top of his list of priorities.
"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 said, according to ESPN. "It's not on the forefront of my mind. It's fun to joke about it, and it's fun to acknowledge. And I think it's absolutely OK to pay attention to, but it's not like following me up to the plate."
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While PCA is having fun with the situation, he's also aware he's not going head-to-head with the full-strength Ohtani at the moment given that the Japan native hasn't pitched since July 3 due to soreness in his left knee. If Ohtani, who holds a 1.79 ERA this season, were pitching, a debate about who should win NL MVP would be pointless.
"I think if you guys want to talk about all this back and forth, I really should go get in the lab and start pitching. I really should," Crow-Armstrong joked.
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As of Thursday morning, Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani are co-favorites to win the NL MVP award at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Ohtani and PCA have put up very similar numbers at the plate with around 50 games left in the regular season. Each player has hit 26 home runs, while Ohtani has driven in one more run (70) than PCA and has the edge in the OPS category with a clip of .953 compared to Crow-Armstrong's .938.
