After sweeping the Dodgers, the Cubs fans can dream of Pete Crow-Armstrong winning the MVP

On Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs didn’t just sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers. They made a statement. They walked into a heavyweight series, stared down Shohei Ohtani and one of baseball’s most loaded rosters, and walked out with three straight wins that felt like a statement across the MLB.

And the loudest part of that sweep came from two players who turned Wrigley Field into a home‑run derby on Wednesday. Pete Crow‑Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani each homered twice, and their MVP race just got more interesting. 

The NL MVP race felt like a formality for a while. Ohtani was the inevitable winner, and everyone else was fighting for second place. But Pete Crow-Armstrong just kicked the door open.

The game started with a bang as Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff home run against the Cubs starter Shota Imanaga. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was the DH, responded with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 1st.

Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong both hit their 25th home runs of the year in the first inning pic.twitter.com/FjfUATukMt

— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2026

PCA also had an RBI double in the second inning, extending the lead to 3-1. Then, in the fourth, he hit his second home run, his 26th as the Cubs extended their lead to 5-1.

PCA AGAIN

He’s 3-for-3 with two homers and a double in the 4th

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/MYn4ReSfbJ

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 5, 2026

With the Cubs leading 7-1 entering the top of the 8th, it looked like the Cubs were on their way to an easy victory. But reliever Caleb Thielbar gave up a 3-run home run to Max Muncy, making it 7-4. After giving up a base hit, the Cubs turned to newly acquired reliever Ryan Zeferjahn. After striking out Teoscar Hernandez, Ohtani came up to the plate. He took a 2-1 count pitch deep to left field, and suddenly, it was 7-6.

PCA’s performance suddenly makes the NL MVP race interesting

Aug 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesPCA’s performance in this series wasn’t just impressive. It was defining as he went 6 for 13, with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. 

MVP races aren’t just about numbers — they’re about moments. They’re about signature performances. They’re about the games people remember when they fill out their ballots. PCA just delivered one of those moments.

Ohtani was his usual incredible self as he nearly led the Dodgers to a comeback win. He looked every bit like the MVP favorite he’s been all season. Yet, PCA matched him swing for swing, spark for spark, impact for impact. 

Meanwhile, PCA’s defense, speed, and power were on full display this series. His performance in the second half is night and day compared to last season. He has also shown incredible plate discipline and maturity. That should help voters gravitate towards him, since many had criticized his maturity and emotional outbursts in the past.

Meanwhile, Ohtani was recently shut down from pitching due to lingering left knee soreness and subsequent right biceps discomfort. If he can’t pitch the rest of the season, including the postseason, the two-way superstar’s value plummets and is no longer considered the NL MVP favorite.

If he wins the NL MVP this year, we will look back at the series against the Dodgers as the defining moment that cemented him as the favorite.