The National League Most Valuable Player race has narrowed into a fierce debate as the regular season enters its final stretch, with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong emerging as the frontrunners for the prestigious honor. According to recent reports covering the league, Ohtani’s phenomenal dual-threat production continues to anchor his historic campaign, even as an injury alters his workload, while Crow-Armstrong has surged forward behind remarkable offensive consistency and elite defense in center field.
Ohtani’s Offensive Output and the Impact of His Mound Absence
Shohei Ohtani put his name firmly back at the center of the National League MVP discussion after launching his 30th home run of the season, according to coverage from Meridiano. As a hitter, the Japanese superstar maintains a .294/.390/.558 slash line, accompanied by 80 runs batted in, 82 runs scored, and a .948 OPS that keeps him among the top tier of hitters in the Senior Circuit.
Yet, the defining question of his candidacy involves his status as a two-way player. Ohtani posted an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts on the mound before a knee injury sidelined him from pitching on July 3. Because he has not pitched in nearly two months, his volume as a pitcher remains capped. Unlike his previous campaigns, the pitching version of Ohtani is no longer accumulating innings while his bat continues to produce. For an award designed to measure the most valuable player over a full season, that absence on the mound creates a noticeable gap compared to candidates who log a full, uninterrupted workload.
Crow-Armstrong Charges Forward for the Cubs
The primary obstacle standing between Ohtani and his third National League MVP award is Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Chicago Cubs center fielder arrived at recent series action holding a .930 OPS alongside 31 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases, according to league reports. Beyond his bat, Crow-Armstrong provides premier defensive value in center field.
Crow-Armstrong’s season carries unique historical weight because he has successfully combined 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases for the second year, having achieved the 30-30 milestone initially in 2025. That rare offensive blend, paired with a WAR hovering around 7.8 victories, strengthens his claim to the hardware.
Other contenders remain in the mix, including Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber leads the National League with 37 home runs and has driven in 74 runs, but his .247 batting average and .896 OPS leave his overall profile slightly behind the more balanced resumes of Ohtani and Crow-Armstrong, according to baseball analysts.
Evaluating the Frontrunners
If MVP ballots were cast today, analysts suggest Crow-Armstrong would hold a slight edge due to his continuous presence in the field and on the bases. Ohtani’s supporters, however, point out that his 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, 82 runs scored, and stellar 1.79 ERA from the first half of the season form an elite baseline that few players in baseball history can match.
The race ultimately depends on how voters weigh a part-time pitcher who hits at an elite level against an everyday star delivering Gold Glove defense alongside 30-30 offensive numbers. With several weeks remaining on the Major League Baseball schedule, Ohtani aims to extend his offensive dominance, while Crow-Armstrong looks to secure the Cubs’ postseason positioning and cement his historic campaign.
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