Pete Crow-Armstrong has officially taken over the National League MVP race, pulling ahead of Shohei Ohtani a couple of weeks ago and he has not looked back since. The guy is on the freakin’ doorstep of a 40-40 season, needing just five more stolen bases to get there. It is a wild ride to watch.
The New Favorite’s Incredible Run
It felt like Ohtani was running away with it for most of the season, but Crow-Armstrong has absolutely exploded. While Ohtani is suddenly struggling at the plate and is unlikely to pitch again, it really looks like Crow-Armstrong will run away with the award. Some folks are still talking about Ohtani’s 14 starts and his overall body of work being enough for a third straight NL MVP. And yeah, going up against the only true two-way player, one of the best of all time, makes this a slightly tougher race. But what Crow-Armstrong has done this year? That absolutely screams MVP.
Yelich’s Stunner
What makes this even crazier is who’s talking. Even Christian Yelich, a rival on the Brewers and the 2018 NL MVP himself, thinks Crow-Armstrong should be taking home the hardware. After the Brewers’ 4-3 win over the Cubs on Monday, Yelich didn’t hold back. He said Crow-Armstrong is “having an unbelievable year.” Yelich highlighted how Crow-Armstrong “made some real changes” and “continued to grow as a player,” especially on offense. “Definitely, offensively, he’s taken that next step,” Yelich said. “He’s been unbelievable for them. Everybody knows what he can do defensively and how good he is out there. In my mind, he’s the MVP for sure. He’s unbelievable with what he can do out there, and he’s a dangerous AB every time he comes to the plate.” That’s high praise from a guy who knows what it takes!
The MVP Expert Has Spoken
Yelich is no stranger to MVP-level seasons. Back in 2018, he smashed 36 homers and swiped 22 bases, leading the entire National League in OPS and bWAR. He was even on track for another MVP in 2019 before a fractured kneecap sidelined him for the final month. So when he says a season is special, you listen. Even though Yelich is having a bit of a down year himself, he is still one of the better hitters in baseball when he’s locked in. For him to recognize the magnitude of Crow-Armstrong’s season, despite playing for a division rival, really tells you everything. You just know the Brewers and Yelich are gonna have their hands full if they run into the Cubs again in October.
So, with Crow-Armstrong on the cusp of a truly historic 40-40 campaign and earning endorsements from past MVPs who play for rival teams, the NL MVP race is heating up for the final stretch. Get ready, baseball fans, because this award is coming down to the wire, and it feels like Crow-Armstrong has the momentum to seal the deal.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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