Full Breakdown
2026 National League MVP Race: Shohei Ohtani vs. Pete Crow-Armstrong
8/19/2026, 7:48:35 PM
Core Event – Tightening Race Between Dodgers Two-Way Star and Cubs Center Fielder
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, who captured the NL MVP award in each of his first two seasons with the club, now faces his closest competition in Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. An ESPN poll of 21 MLB players shows Crow-Armstrong leading 15-4, with two respondents splitting the vote. The race will be decided by BBWAA voters in November and hinges on Ohtani’s potential return to the mound and Crow-Armstrong’s continued production.
Background & Context – Recent MVP History and Season Developments
Ohtani entered 2026 as a three-time consecutive MVP winner (2023-2025). Since 2021 he has collected four MVP honors in five years, the only gap occurring in 2022 when Aaron Judge won the AL award.
Crow-Armstrong, 24, posted a breakout 2025 campaign and followed it with a second straight 30-home-run, 30-stolen-base season—an achievement matched by only nine other players.
Timeline
- July 3, 2026 – Ohtani’s last start; he left with knee soreness and has not pitched since.
- August 17, 2026 – Crow-Armstrong hit a walk-off two-run homer, completing his second consecutive 30/30 season and becoming one of six players ever to open and close a game with a home run.
Data & Statistics
- Offense – Both rank first and second in the NL for OPS, OPS+ and wRC+. Ohtani: .290 avg, 29 HR, .940 OPS. Crow-Armstrong: .281/.379/.550, 30 HR, 31 SB, .907 OPS.
- Base-running – Crow-Armstrong is second in NL stolen bases; Ohtani’s baserunning is limited.
- Defense – Crow-Armstrong leads MLB in outs above average and tops defensive run value and defensive WAR for center field.
- Pitching (Ohtani) – 14 starts, 8-2 record, 1.79 ERA, 95 K in 85 2/3 innings.
- WAR – Crow-Armstrong’s bWAR peaked at 7.5 in August; Ohtani’s combined contributions keep his overall WAR among league leaders.
- MVP poll – 15 votes for Crow-Armstrong, 4 for Ohtani, 2 split.
Official Statements & Responses – Player Perspectives
White Sox pitcher Sean Burke said Ohtani’s half-season of “Cy Young-level pitching” plus his offense makes him uniquely valuable.
Cubs pitcher Colin Holderman called the race “tough” and expressed a desire to see Crow-Armstrong win for the novelty of a different MVP profile.
What’s Next – Potential Impact of Ohtani’s Return
Team officials indicate Ohtani has begun a throwing progression aimed at a possible mound return before the regular season ends. If he resumes starting duties, his pitching could shift the voting balance. Crow-Armstrong must sustain his output and avoid an extended slump; a recent nine-game stretch (7-for-33) showed a dip in production.
The final weeks will decide whether the NL MVP award rewards the two-way brilliance of Shohei Ohtani or the five-tool dominance of Pete Crow-Armstrong.
