MLB MVP Race: Ohtani Dethroned in Latest Prediction, Crow-Armstrong Takes NL Lead

Major League Baseball's official website has released its fifth MVP prediction for the season, revealing a shift in the National League race. Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong has overtaken Dodgers' two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani for the top spot.

The poll, which included 37 experts, saw Crow-Armstrong accumulate 177 points with 29 first-place votes, while Ohtani garnered 154 points and 8 first-place votes. Crow-Armstrong leads the league in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and boasts a defensive contribution value (FRV) of 24 in center field, the best in MLB. Since Ohtani ceased pitching, Crow-Armstrong has outperformed him in key offensive categories, including wRC+ (171 vs. 149), home runs (14 vs. 12), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (1.014 vs. 0.948).

Despite losing the top prediction spot, MLB.com urged observers not to forget Ohtani, referring to him as a "unicorn." The prediction suggests that if Ohtani can prove his health and replicate his previous pitching performance of 8 wins and a 1.79 ERA, his lead could quickly return. Ohtani still ranks second in the National League with a .935 OPS, tied for fifth in home runs (30), and tied for sixth in RBIs (80).

In the American League, Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez remains the clear frontrunner, securing 34 first-place votes for a total of 181 points. Other contenders in the AL include Junior Caminero of the Rays, Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals, Willson Contreras of the Red Sox, and Ben Rice of the Yankees.

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but don't forget this unicorn