‘Are you watching, Ohtani?’ PCA hits 14 homers in August and surges toward MVP award

The hashtag “#MVPete,” combining MVP and Pete, is capturing the changing shape of this season’s National League MVP race. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is increasingly moving ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Crow-Armstrong, a 24-year-old in his fourth major league season, hit 14 home runs in August. If the current trend continues, Ohtani’s attempt to win a fourth straight MVP award, dating back to his 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels, could come to an end.

Members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, who vote for the award, rely heavily on wins above replacement, or WAR. FanGraphs listed Crow-Armstrong at 9.3 wins above replacement as of Sept. 4, the best mark in the National League and across Major League Baseball. Ohtani stood at 6.8.

Ohtani’s biggest advantage is his ability to contribute as both a hitter and pitcher. Crow-Armstrong is challenging him with an all-around game that combines hitting, defense and baserunning. His .946 OPS, which combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage, ranked first in the National League.