Shohei Ohtani update should all but end MVP debate in Pete Crow-Armstrong's favor

After another home run and two stolen bases during the Chicago Cubs' loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, it seems likely that Pete Crow-Armstrong will reach the 40-40 club before the end of the regular season. Crow-Armstrong enters play with 41 home runs and 35 steals. Beyond the 40-40 club feeling imminent, it also seems that the debate for National League MVP is effectively over.

For much of the past month, there's been a debate centered around Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani. As recently as last month, the offensive numbers between the two were similar (except for stolen bases ), and the impression was that if Ohtani returned to the mound in September, that could tilt the odds in his favor.

A lot has changed since then. First and foremost, Crow-Armstrong's offensive numbers are starting to leave Ohtani's in the rearview mirror. Ohtani has 30 home runs on the season with a wRC+ of 143. Beyond the double-digit lead Crow-Armstrong now holds over Ohtani in home runs, his wRC+ is now at 159.

Pete Crow-Armstrong's MVP case just got huge help from latest Shohei Ohtani update

Regardless of whether or not Ohtani returned as a pitcher this season, Crow-Armstrong's offensive surge coupled with Ohtani's slump felt like it ended the MVP discussion. In case there was any lingering debate, the updates from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend likely ended it for good.

After the Dodgers kept Ohtani out of the starting lineup for much of the past week, he made his return on Sunday, but the team suggested that he will not pitch for the remainder of the 2026 season. Ohtani hasn't pitched since the start of July, and with no return planned, this is the final confirmation that Crow-Armstrong is positioned to win the National League MVP award.

Beyond Ohtani not pitching, there's a larger debate going on in LA. Even as hitter, Ohtani hasn't looked right over the past few weeks. The best thing for the Dodgers may be to place Ohtani on the IL, giving him some time to reset before the playoffs, but it remains to be seen if the team will believes that.

While there still are questions surrounding the Cubs and their status as a playoff contender this season, Crow-Armstrong seems to have ended the MVP debate. The lingering question with Crow-Armstrong is if Cubs fans are witnessing the greatest season ever played by a Cubs a player.

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