Crow-Armstrong edges Ohtani as 2026 National League MVP favourite

Pete Crow-Armstrong has overtaken Shohei Ohtani to become the betting favourite for the 2026 National League Most Valuable Player award, according to odds published by FanDuel Sportsbook on 24 August 2026. The shift marks a significant change in the governance of the league’s top individual honour, with Crow-Armstrong listed at -185 and Ohtani at +150.

The movement in odds reflects a broader trend in the National League, where Crow-Armstrong currently leads in Wins Above Replacement (8.1), slugging percentage (.559), and on-base plus slugging (.938). He also holds 33 home runs and 32 stolen bases, positioning him as a strong contender for the award.

In contrast, Ohtani’s position has slipped from a dominant -1500 in July to +150 in late August. The Los Angeles Dodgers star, who won back-to-back National League MVP awards in 2024 and 2025, has faced challenges due to a left knee irritation that has limited his role to designated hitter since 3 July.

The American League race presents a different dynamic, with Houston’s Yordan Alvarez serving as the overwhelming favourite at -20000. Alvarez leads the league in all major hitting categories, including batting average (.320), home runs (36), runs batted in (90), on-base percentage (.436), slugging percentage (.613), and OPS (1.050).

Aaron Judge, the two-time defending American League MVP, has battled injuries throughout the season, allowing Alvarez to secure a commanding lead in the betting markets. Junior Caminero and Bobby Witt Jr. trail far behind as distant second and third choices.

The current standings suggest a historic shift in the National League, where Ohtani, who has won four MVP awards unanimously, is now chasing a rival rather than leading the field. This development underscores the competitive balance within the league as the season progresses.