Pete Crow-Armstrong has surpassed Shohei Ohtani as the favorite for the National League MVP award in the latest MLB.com poll [2].
The shift reflects a changing momentum in the league's most prestigious individual race. While Ohtani has long been a dominant force, Crow-Armstrong's recent surge puts a new contender at the forefront of the award conversation.
In the poll released in early August [4], Crow-Armstrong secured 29 first-place votes [1]. Shohei Ohtani followed with eight first-place votes [1]. The Cubs outfielder's rise is attributed to a hot hitting streak, highlighted by a single game in which he recorded two home runs and four RBIs [5].
Ohtani's momentum has slowed due to health concerns. He has been sidelined from pitching since July 3, 2026, because of lingering left-knee soreness [3]. This absence from the mound has impacted his standing among voters during the current stretch of the season.
Despite the shift in the poll, some league figures still believe in Ohtani's eventual victory. Dave Roberts said Ohtani "is going to be the MVP of the National League" [6].
The race continues as both players navigate the final months of the season. While the American League race remains active, the National League battle has become a concentrated contest between the rising star in Chicago and the established powerhouse in Los Angeles.
“Pete Crow-Armstrong secured 29 first-place votes”
The shift in MVP favoritism underscores the importance of availability and recent performance in baseball awards. Ohtani's inability to pitch since early July created a vacuum that Crow-Armstrong filled with a high-impact hitting streak. This race now serves as a test of whether voters prioritize a season-long body of work or the peak performance levels maintained heading into the postseason.
