Former Reds Star Picks Shohei Ohtani Over Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong in 2026 NL MVP Race

Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong are currently co-favorites to win the NL MVP Award this year with both of them having similar batting stats.

Former Reds Star Picks Shohei Ohtani Over Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong in 2026 NL MVP Race

Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong (Image via X/@LADodgersMuse/X/@TalkinBaseball_)

As the Los Angeles Dodgers chase a historic 3-peat this year, their superstar Shohei Ohtani is once again involved in the National League MVP talks. This time, he has some competition in the form of Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong. In a recent discussion regarding this, a former Cincinnati Reds star picked the former over the latter.

On Wednesday, the two stars went back and forth at Wrigley Field. The Dodgers, who had lost 5 games in a row, were hoping to end their losing streak and avoid being swept in a back-to-back series.

Ohtani, the reigning NL MVP, hit another leadoff home run to put his side 1-0 up early on. Crow-Armstrong replied with a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the 1st inning and tied the game. Both stars hit their 25th home run of the season in the 1st inning.

PCA then extended his team’s lead to 3-1 in the 2nd inning with a double. In the 4th inning, he crushed a 2-run home run into right field and made it a 5-1 game.

Following a 3-run home run from Max Muncy in the 8th inning, Ohtani went yard once again. The 2-way star hit a 2-run home run and cut the deficit to 1-run.

In the end, the Cubs held on and won 7-6. The Dodgers, meanwhile, suffered their 6th straight loss and got swept in successive series.

On the MLB Now show hosted by MLB Network, host Brian Kenny, MLB insider Jon Heyman, and former Reds star Sean Casey debated the NL MVP race. During this, Casey picked Ohtani over Crow-Armstrong. Though he lauded the Cubs’ outfielder for his performance this season, he claimed that him not pitching was still a huge factor.

The fact that PCA can’t pitch still has to be a factor. You win in the big leagues in the bump. When I look at Shohei Ohtani, I still have to say, his numbers are comparable to PCA offensively … no one could do that. No one can pitch and hit at an elite level.

Sean Casey said

Ohtani’s ability to play as both a hitter and pitcher is something that separates him from others. This year, the Japanese international has an 8-2 record in 14 starts with a 1.79 ERA.

However, he has not pitched since July 3rd. Following left knee inflammation, the Dodgers star missed the 2026 All-Star Game and has only played as the designated hitter (DH) since then.

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Shohei Ohtani is not thinking about the MVP race with Pete Crow-Armstrong

Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong went neck-and-neck on Wednesday and put up a great battle. With their impressive showing, questions about the NL MVP race heated up. Ohtani, however, is not thinking about this at the moment.

Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong
Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong (Image via X/@SleeperDodgers/X/@OptaSTATS)

While speaking with the reporters on Wednesday, the 32-year-old claimed he was focused on his hitting and getting back to the mound.

He’s [PCA] a great player, but I’m really focused on myself right now. On the hitting side of things and working toward getting back on the mound and working on that side of the game.

Shohei Ohtani said via his interpreter Will Ireton

Since he arrived in the National League in December 2023, Ohtani has dominated discussions regarding the MVP award. Last year, he was involved in a battle with Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies.

While Schwarber finished with more home runs (56) than Ohtani (55), Ohtani still won the MVP honor unanimously. This marked his 2nd straight unanimous NL MVP award.

This year, he might win the MVP award once again. It, though, might not be a unanimous one. If Crow-Armstrong wins the award, it will snap a 3-year streak of Ohtani winning the big honor, having also won the AL MVP award in 2023.

For now, the two stars will shift their focus towards the ongoing season. After a dramatic walk-off win with PCA stealing third and coming home, the Cubs improved to a 67-49 record. The Dodgers, on the other hand, had a day off on Thursday and will play against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

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