Overview
- Pete Crow‑Armstrong, who hit his 40th home run on Sunday, Sept. 6, tied the game with a fifth‑inning drive off Marlins right‑hander Tyler Phillips and completed the first 40‑HR/30‑SB season in Cubs franchise history.
- Crow‑Armstrong leads the majors in fWAR and has produced elite offense, defense and baserunning this year, which has pushed him to the front of National League MVP conversations.
- At 24 years, 165 days old, he is the youngest Cub to reach 40 homers and one of only a few MLB players his age to combine that power with 30 steals, joining names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Alex Rodriguez and José Canseco.
- The milestone came in a 10‑3 loss in Miami where reliever Clay Holmes had a rare bad outing and was charged with a career‑worst eight runs, underscoring that Crow‑Armstrong’s performance does not solve the Cubs’ pitching inconsistencies.
- What to watch next: Crow‑Armstrong can still add to his totals in the final weeks, which could cement MVP voting, while Chicago’s ability to secure a playoff seed will depend on improved bullpen and starting‑pitching execution.