Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as the frontrunner for the National League MVP award, according to odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Crow-Armstrong currently holds -120 odds, overtaking Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who sits at +100.
The two players are considered the clear favorites, with Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (+10000) and Kyle Schwarber (+15000) trailing significantly.
Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani are statistically tied in several key offensive categories, both with 26 home runs and 71 runs batted in. However, Crow-Armstrong's advantage appears to stem from his higher wins above replacement (WAR) of 7.5, 30 stolen bases, and exceptional defense, highlighted by 22 outs above average (OAA).
Ohtani, who was previously considered the favorite to win the award for the fourth consecutive season, has faced challenges this season. After a dominant start on the mound with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 14 starts, his pitching was halted on July 3 due to knee soreness. He has since experienced multiple setbacks in his recovery, including knee regression and a pectoral injury.
Despite continuing to hit, Ohtani's stolen base total has significantly decreased to six this year, a likely consequence of attempting to protect his injured knee. In his career, Ohtani has hit 54 home runs and stolen 59 bases, but his current season shows a marked difference in his base-running activity.
His inability to pitch and ongoing knee issues could impact his pursuit of becoming the first player since Barry Bonds (2001-2004) to win the MVP award in four consecutive seasons.