Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani kept his spot atop MLB.com’s MVP poll, but the gap shrunk since the previous installment.
Ohtani hasn’t quite been himself since the All-Star break, sticking exclusively to hitting as he deals with a mysterious knee injury and going just 7-for-38 at the plate with just two extra-base hits—neither of which were home runs.
He still has fantastic numbers on the season, posting fantastic seasons on the mound and in the box despite not being at his best. As a pitcher, Ohtani has made 14 starts and boasts a 1.79 ERA, striking out 95 batters through 85.2 innings pitched.
His offensive numbers aren’t quite at the otherworldly levels fans have grown accustomed to over the past several years, but he still has an OPS above .900 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs.
Who Closed the Gap on Shohei Ohtani?
The reigning MVP’s struggles have opened a window for other players to close the gap, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong—an LA native and notorious Dodgers hater—has taken full advantage.
While Ohtani’s struggles have certainly been a talking point since the Midsummer Classic, Crow-Armstrong had an infinitely worst start to the season. He posted an OPS below .700 through April, hitting just three home runs for an 86 wRC+, which ranks well below league average.
Over the past couple of months, though, Crow-Armstrong has ticked up his offense and made a real case for his first MVP. Since May 20, the Gold Glove-winning center fielder has a .336/.449/.687 slash line for a 1.136 OPS, with his wRC+ during that span sitting at an MLB-leading 204.
His 18 homers since then tie him for third-most, with AL MVP frontrunner Yordan Alvarez and Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman as the only players with more. Additionally, his plus-21 fielding run value and 20 outs above average are the best in MLB, and his 6.9 fWAR leads the next-closest player—Ohtani—by 1.2.
Ohtani still has the lead win the poll, leading the way with 158 points and 23 first-place votes compared to Crow-Armstrong’s 140 points and 11 first-place votes.
What Did PCA Say About the Dodgers?
In the offseason, Crow-Armstrong spoke about his love for Chicago in an interview, but did so by taking a shot at Dodger fans.
“I love Chicago more and more. It’s just an incredible city. The people are great,” he said. “They give a s—. They aren’t just baseball fans who go to the game like Dodgers fans to take pictures or whatever. They are paying attention. They care.”
After coming under fire for his comments, the outfielder doubled down.
“What I wish people could see through is, I’m not getting at die-hard Dodger fans,” Crow-Armstrong said.
“They obviously exist, they’re out there. I grew up seeing those people, too, but it’s a see-me city, man. It’s a Lakers city where people show up to sit courtside and look good. And I view it the same way here.”
The Dodgers played a series against the Cubs at Dodger Stadium after PCA’s comments, taking two of three games against Chicago after losing the first game of the series. Their next meeting is less than a week away, beginning Aug. 3 at 5:05 p.m. PT.
