Overview
- Both players hit two home runs in the game that completed the Cubs' three‑game sweep of the Dodgers on Wednesday, an outing that briefly flipped MVP odds.
- Crow‑Armstrong leads the majors in defensive measures such as defensive WAR, outs above average and runs prevented while also pacing the league with 28 stolen bases.
- Ohtani remains an elite hitter and an effective starter this season but the Dodgers are managing biceps discomfort and knee inflammation that make him unlikely to pitch for the next few weeks.
- Sportsbooks reacted in real time as FanDuel briefly made Crow‑Armstrong the favorite before odds moved back to even, reflecting how markets are responding to single games and injury updates.
- With public markets and media coverage now effectively split, voters will have to weigh Ohtani's two‑way history and possible loss of pitching time against Crow‑Armstrong's standout defense, baserunning and steady offensive production as the season heads toward October.