Pete Crow-Armstrong just blew the doors off the National League MVP race, becoming an overwhelming -1100 favorite to win the award. The dude went absolutely nuclear on Saturday, smashing three homers and driving in six RBI in a massive 17-5 home win for the Chicago Cubs against the Cincinnati Reds. If you weren’t paying attention before, you better start now because this kid is on a tear unlike anything we’ve seen.
PCA’s Insane Numbers Put Him in a League of His Own
Crow-Armstrong isn’t just a flash in the pan; he’s putting together a truly historic season. He’s batting .282 with an incredible .944 OPS, blasting 36 home runs, and knocking in 89 RBI. But wait, there’s more! He’s also swiped 32 bases, putting a mind-blowing 40-40 season firmly in play. We’re talking about a guy who could hit for power, hit for average, and fly around the bases like nobody’s business. That’s not even counting his glove work! PCA is third in defensive runs saved among all MLB center fielders with 14, and he’s second in outs above average with 23 across all fielders. He’s a complete beast. The Cubs are sitting pretty at 77-59, second in the NL Central and leading the NL Wild Card race, looking absolutely destined for the playoffs. And guess what? A huge chunk of that success comes straight from Crow-Armstrong’s ridiculous play.
Ohtani’s Star Power Can’t Close the Gap
Of course, there’s another name in the conversation: Shohei Ohtani. He’s second on the MVP odds list at +600, and for good reason. Ohtani’s a four-time MVP, having won back-to-back NL MVP awards after snagging two AL MVP’s in 2021 and 2023. His bat is still dangerous, hitting .283 with a .921 OPS, 30 homers, and 80 RBI this season. Plus, when he was on the mound, he was dominant, posting an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts over 85.2 innings. But here’s the kicker: Ohtani is currently sidelined from pitching due to left knee and right biceps issues. He’s still a massive factor as a designated hitter, making a huge impact for the NL West-leading Dodgers, who are 81-55. Even with all that, the MVP race is undoubtedly Crow-Armstrong’s to lose right now, especially after his Saturday explosion.
It’s clear as day: Crow-Armstrong is running away with this thing. Can he actually hit that mythical 40-40 mark? That’s what every baseball fan, not just Cubs fans, will be glued to their screens for as this season winds down. It’s going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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