The Ultimate Showdown: Ohtani's Mound Return vs. PCA's Defensive Dominance
Dodgers' Recent Form and Ohtani's Impact
The Los Angeles Dodgers have experienced a recent dip in performance, enduring a seven-game losing streak before securing a victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks in extra innings. Shohei Ohtani played a pivotal role in this crucial win, further solidifying his MVP candidacy with each game. Despite his impressive offensive output, another contender has emerged in the National League MVP race: Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, whose consistent performance has propelled him into strong contention.
The Pitching Factor: Ohtani's MVP Decider?
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Ohtani's chances of clinching the MVP award over Crow-Armstrong might hinge on one critical decision: whether he returns to the pitcher's mound before the conclusion of the regular season. Nightengale suggests that if Ohtani, who has not pitched since July 3, makes a comeback as a pitcher, he is likely to secure his fifth MVP title. However, if Ohtani continues solely as a designated hitter and Crow-Armstrong maintains his current level of play, the Cubs outfielder could become the first player from his team to win the MVP since Kris Bryant in 2016.
Statistical Showdown: Ohtani vs. Crow-Armstrong
The MVP contest between Ohtani and Crow-Armstrong presents a fascinating comparison of their seasonal achievements. Both players have built strong cases for the award, showcasing exceptional talent. Ohtani's offensive statistics include 121 hits, 73 runs, 22 doubles, two triples, 26 home runs, 71 RBIs, six stolen bases, 69 walks, 112 strikeouts, a .294 batting average, .398 on-base percentage, .547 slugging percentage, an NL-best .945 OPS, and a 160 OPS+. Beyond his hitting prowess, Ohtani has also contributed as a pitcher with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts, an 8-2 record, 95 strikeouts, a 0.946 WHIP, 2.60 FIP, and a 232 ERA+ over 85.2 innings. His combined bWAR stands at 6.3 (2.9 as a pitcher and 3.4 as a hitter).
The Defensive Edge: Crow-Armstrong's Unseen Value
In contrast, Crow-Armstrong boasts 127 hits, 82 runs, 22 doubles, seven triples, 26 home runs, 71 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, 64 walks, 139 strikeouts, a .287 batting average, .388 on-base percentage, .545 slugging percentage, a .934 OPS, and a 158 OPS+. Despite having slightly lower offensive numbers and no pitching contributions, Crow-Armstrong leads with an impressive 7.4 bWAR this season. This significant advantage stems from his exceptional defensive play, as he is considered the best defender in MLB this season, potentially even one of the greatest defensive center fielders in baseball history. His defensive metrics provide a substantial boost to his overall value, making him a formidable challenger for the MVP award.
The Final Stretch: Pitching's Decisive Role
With Ohtani primarily focusing on hitting and not playing in the field or pitching, Crow-Armstrong gains a considerable advantage in accumulating both offensive and defensive value as the season progresses. If Ohtani does not return to the mound and their offensive productions remain comparable, it will be challenging for him to win the MVP over the Cubs' defensive maestro. While Ohtani is guaranteed to receive numerous MVP votes, his ultimate victory in this tightly contested race may depend entirely on his ability to pitch again during the regular season and perform at an elite level. This exciting competition between Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani is set to captivate fans until the very end.
