Crow-Armstrong's Monster August Reshapes the NL MVP Race
A breakout month for the Cubs outfielder has thrust him into the MVP conversation as Ohtani's injury ends his dominance.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has seized control of the NL MVP race with an August that leaves no room for debate. Per ESPN, the Cubs outfielder hit 14 home runs with a 1.098 OPS across 27 games in August 2026, numbers that single him out as the frontrunner for the award heading into the stretch run.
The emergence matters because it fills a void created by circumstance. Shohei Ohtani, who has dominated MVP conversations for much of the season, is now sidelined. Per ESPN, Ohtani was shut down due to soreness in his left knee, right biceps and overall body, effectively ending his streak as the overwhelming MVP favorite.
Crow-Armstrong's performance in August is not a flash—it is the kind of sustained excellence that defines late-season MVP races. A 1.098 OPS is exceptional for any month. Paired with 14 home runs over 27 games, it shows both power and consistency in a month when playoff pressure intensifies. The Cubs needed this production, and it has repositioned their entire postseason outlook alongside the MVP narrative.
The timing of Ohtani's injury amplifies Crow-Armstrong's opportunity. Without a clear alternative candidate dominating the conversation, the voting bloc is now wide open. Crow-Armstrong's August has given the electorate a case that is both recent and undeniable.
The NL MVP race will likely be decided in September. Crow-Armstrong will need to sustain his level into the playoff stretch, but the foundation is set. A month like August—14 home runs, 1.098 OPS—does not evaporate in the voting booth. He is the frontrunner now.