In the illustrious realm of Major League Baseball, certain narratives become so ingrained that challenging them seems almost audacious. Yet, as the 2025 season progresses, the perceived dominance of Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race faces an unexpected and increasingly compelling counter-narrative: the ascendance of Pete Crow-Armstrong.

While the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way sensation, Shohei Ohtani, continues to captivate audiences with his unparalleled offensive prowess, his current campaign, while stellar, shows subtle dips from his historic peaks. His batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging are all slightly below last season’s remarkable figures, prompting closer scrutiny of his overall MVP case.

Conversely, Pete Crow-Armstrong has not merely arrived on the scene; he has exploded into contention as one of baseball’s most valuable players. A deeper dive into advanced metrics reveals that Crow-Armstrong currently boasts a healthy lead over Ohtani in both FanGraphs and Baseball Reference WAR, even accounting for Ohtani’s pitching contributions.

Ohtani’s much-anticipated return to the pitcher’s mound this season was expected to solidify his MVP claim. However, his limited innings and inability to consistently pitch deep into games have curtailed his impact in this crucial area. Time is swiftly running out for him to make the significant pitching impression that oddsmakers might still be factoring into his heavily favored status.

Unlike Ohtani, Crow-Armstrong’s contributions extend beyond the batter’s box to an elite level of defensive play. Operating from center field for the Chicago Cubs, he routinely makes highlight-reel, SportsCenter Top 10-worthy plays, arguably performing better defensively than any other player in baseball. This defensive mastery adds immense value often overlooked in raw offensive comparisons.

Further examination of their offensive profiles shows Ohtani’s stolen base numbers have plummeted from 59 to just 13, marking a significant drop in a key facet of his previous MVP seasons. Crow-Armstrong, while not a prolific base stealer in the same vein, contributes across the board with his dynamic play on the field and at the plate.

Another subtle but potentially decisive factor is the looming possibility of voter fatigue. Shohei Ohtani has remarkably claimed three of the last four MVP awards, consistently finishing as a top contender in the sole season he didn’t win. This historical dominance, while deserved, could inadvertently open the door for a fresh face to be recognized, even if the statistical margin is close.

Despite these compelling arguments for Pete Crow-Armstrong, oddsmakers continue to heavily favor Ohtani, with a staggering -1150 odds compared to PCA’s +1000. This stark discrepancy suggests a narrative gap between public perception and the granular realities of their 2025 performances. The truth is, the NL MVP race is significantly tighter than many assume after a thorough analysis.

For those astute observers of baseball, recognizing Pete Crow-Armstrong’s legitimate challenge to Shohei Ohtani’s MVP reign presents a unique opportunity. Betting on PCA to pull off this upset before the broader baseball world fully grasps the depth of his contribution could prove to be a remarkably prescient move in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the season.