​Sep 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detailed view of 2014 National League MVP plaque presented to Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw display at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
As the calendar flips to September, a hotly contested American League Wild-Card race and all six divisions remain up for grabs. But nowhere is that end-of-season spirit more encapsulated than the National League MVP race.The race for the NL crown is coming down to two terrific players. Four-time MVP and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is seeking to become the first player since Barry Bonds to win five MVP awards in his career, and emerging Chicago Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong is looking for his first. Both have over 30 home runs, an OPS over .900, and are arguably the captains of their teams. Their defining features and styles of play, however, are going to make for an extremely interesting and heated debate among baseball writers soon. But, at this point, Crow-Armstrong is running away with it while Ohtani is sinking.Ohtani’s Pitching Cannot Make Writers Look Past Power Drain For National League MVP Race
Aug 26, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a leadoff double against the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning at Truist Park.
Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images
There is no question Ohtani is a once-in-a-generation player, from hitting 50 home runs per year and posting a 2.87 ERA in 2025, to throwing a 1.79 ERA in 2026. He is the heart and face of the Dodgers lineup and organization, and the question is whether he will be a unanimous inductee to the Hall of Fame.Ohtani put up a respectable season this year, clubbing 30 home runs and driving in 79 RBIs. However, there might be signs that age is catching up to him, as his power numbers have sagged from his usual 40 to 50 home runs a year. He’s also seen a dramatic drop in his base-stealing attempts and ability.Shohei Ohtani hits his second home run of the game and the @Dodgers trail by just ONE run 👀📺 #MLBNShowcase presented by @goodyearpic.twitter.com/jotcJMYyPQ— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 5, 2026It’s important to note that Ohtani’s bat speed gradually decreased with age, going from 77.4 miles per hour in 2023 to 74.6 in 2026. There’s also concern, according to Baseball Savant, that he is getting under the ball and swinging later than he ever has. The good news is that his perfect contact percentage remains elite, along with his batting metrics, despite a 31% whiff rate.The National League MVP does take into account his pitching abilities, however, which doubles his WAR value. What benefits Ohtani here is that his arsenal remains intact, despite his split-finger fastball tagging a .294 average. His curveball, four-seamer, and sweeper remain his best three-pitch arsenal, with only four home runs surrendered. They all mark improvements from 2025, which is hard for a 32-year-old