Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Journey to MVP Status

Pete Crow-Armstrong faced challenges early in his season with the Chicago Cubs. By late April, he had hit only one home run in 29 games, covering 119 plate appearances. Frustration peaked after a hitless start against the Padres, leading to a dramatic moment during pregame batting practice the next day. He tossed his batting gloves in anger before retreating to the clubhouse. This marked the beginning of his rise to an MVP-caliber season.

On April 28, Crow-Armstrong hit a three-run homer against Padres’ lefty Wandy Peralta, followed by a two-run homer the next night against right-hander Matt Waldron. These performances foreshadowed his development in the following weeks. From that point, he maintained an impressive .288/.386/.624 slash line with a 1.009 OPS.

Reflecting on the crucial series against the Padres, Crow-Armstrong said, “It could have been easy to let the year get away from me, but day in and day out I think there was just a regular reminder that it’s a long season.” His perspective helped him stay focused on improving and contributing to the team’s success.

The Cubs faced the Padres again in the wild-card series. Left-hander Matthew Boyd was set to lead in Game 1, mirroring his performance from last season. The Cubs needed more offensive energy that was lacking during adverse weather conditions at the season’s end. Crow-Armstrong, leading the lineup, held the key to that challenge.

His previous postseason experience in 2025 was less successful, finishing with no extra-base hits and a .185 average. Despite this, he approached the current playoffs with fresh determination, aiming to deliver more for the team. “I think I’ve got some more to prove and I’ve got some more production to give this club,” he stated.

Padres’ third baseman Manny Machado recognized Crow-Armstrong’s breakout, noting his 40-40 achievement and ascendancy as the NL MVP favorite. Machado commented on Crow-Armstrong’s potential and humility, praising his rapid rise.

The Cubs’ manager, Craig Counsell, acknowledged Crow-Armstrong’s remarkable turnaround. He highlighted Crow-Armstrong’s comprehensive talent and ability to surprise with his performances. “Even guys with great talent can surprise you, and that’s what Pete did,” he noted.

Crow-Armstrong accepted the challenge to refine his game, contributing significantly to the Cubs’ offensive prowess. Despite the regular season’s achievements, the focus was on meeting postseason ambitions. Crow-Armstrong remarked, “There’s elements of you don’t want to treat it like anything bigger than it is, but you also want to appreciate how cool and special this is.”