Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs reacts as he comes around to score on a two run RBI single by Seiya Suzuki #27 (not pictured) in the fifth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Sam Garcia

By Sam Garcia

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If Shohei Ohtani does not get back on the mound soon, there is a chance the four-time Most Valuable Player could be dethroned this season.

Ohtani was a two-time American League MVP with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023. After signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season, Ohtani went on to win back-to-back National League MVP Awards in 2024 and 2025.

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waits on-deck before the start of the first inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 25, 2026 in New York City.

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The two-way superstar did not pitch in his first season with the Dodgers in 2024. But Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to record at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.

This season, Ohtani ranks eighth in the NL with 22 home runs and has stolen just six bases in 101 games. He also has not pitched since July 3 and does not have a definitive return date.

That opens the door for a new NL MVP to be crowned this season.

MLB Network analyst Sean Casey said Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong could be the player to take down Ohtani this season.

"This guy is electric. Every night when you see the Cubs, he's doing something to make them win ball games," Casey said of Crow-Armstrong. "... He's a difference-maker defensively, which Shohei isn't. If Shohei doesn't pitch again, I could see PCA getting the MVP."

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Crow-Armstrong Wants to Dethrone Ohtani

Crow-Armstrong made it clear he wants to win the NL MVP this season, but he understands it will difficult given that Ohtani's rare two-way abilities.

"I would love to dethrone him," Crow-Armstrong said to reporters earlier this month, "but I don't know how you do it unless I go to a pitching lab in the offseason. I'll go be a closer or something and see how that helps my odds."

"But, nah, that guy's a freak. So maybe once he stops being a little freaky [I can win]," Crow-Armstrong added.

Crow-Armstrong earned his second NL All-Star selection this season and has slashed .288/.388/.540 with a .928 OPS and 23 home runs across 106 games.

Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs reacts as he comes around to score on a two run RBI single by Seiya Suzuki #27 (not pictured) in the fifth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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