The Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Dodgers with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani each hitting two home runs. Crow-Armstrong, now the NL MVP favorite (-120), acknowledged the buzz but focused on team goals. Ohtani, recovering from knee soreness, prioritized hitting and future mound returns. Both players emphasized team success over individual accolades.

Crow-Armstrong’s 25 HRs marked a franchise record for a player under 25, while his .938 OPS solidified his MVP case. Ohtani, who won two NL MVPs, called the race ‘too far away’ to dwell on. The Dodgers’ late-game collapse in Chicago highlighted their playoff hopes, though Ohtani’s absence from pitching limits his impact.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised Crow-Armstrong’s ‘fun’ season, noting the sweep as memorable. Crow-Armstrong, the majors’ top-rated fielder, downplayed MVP speculation, stating, ‘It’s not on the forefront of my mind.’ Ohtani, despite his historical success, stressed team priorities. With 30 voters deciding the winner, the race remains tight. Crow-Armstrong’s consistency against lefties (.937 OPS) and Ohtani’s all-around dominance keep both in the spotlight.

The MVP narrative adds intrigue to the Cubs’ playoff push. Crow-Armstrong aims to ‘see this group in October,’ while Ohtani focuses on returning to pitching. Their performances at Wrigley Field—both hitting lead-off homers—symbolize their impact. As the regular season concludes, the MVP decision will hinge on final stats and team outcomes.