CHICAGO – The atmosphere at Wrigley Field was electric on Wednesday night as Pete Crow-Armstrong took center stage in a thrilling matchup against the Atlanta Braves. With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, the crowd erupted in a chant of “M-V-Pete! M-V-Pete!” celebrating his remarkable performance throughout the game.
This night was particularly significant for Crow-Armstrong, as he hit his first home run of the game, marking his 43rd of the season—an impressive feat that broke Billy Williams’ long-standing Cubs record for left-handed hitters. The excitement didn’t stop there; he also delivered an RBI triple and followed up with his 44th home run, solidifying his status as a key player in the Cubs’ lineup.
Even after striking out in the eighth inning, the crowd showed their appreciation with a standing ovation. Crow-Armstrong ended the night with a stellar 3-for-4 performance, contributing three RBIs and three runs to the Cubs’ 8-4 victory over the Braves. This game marked his seventh multi-home-run game of the season, further showcasing his potential as a standout player.
As the Cubs continue their pursuit of a wild-card spot, Crow-Armstrong’s consistency and ability to perform under pressure have made him a frontrunner for the MVP title. With Shohei Ohtani currently sidelined due to injury, Crow-Armstrong is making a strong case for himself, inching closer to a historic 40-40 season—an achievement that has never been recorded in Cubs history.
“You’re shaking your head in amazement, sometimes,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “In amazement. You know, you don’t get to see this. That’s what I told Alex (Bregman): ‘We don’t get to see things like this.’” Counsell expressed gratitude for witnessing such a remarkable season, recognizing its significance for both the team and the fans. “They’re going to talk about it. They’re going to tell their kids about it. They’re going to tell their grandkids about a season like this.”
Despite the mounting expectations, Crow-Armstrong remains grounded. “I keep it pretty simple,” he stated. “I enjoy just kind of laying low, as I always do and always will. I’ve got a really nice support system.” His humble approach has not hindered his performance; he currently holds a .283 batting average, 105 RBIs, 29 doubles, and 37 stolen bases, all while showcasing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field.
At just 24 years old, Crow-Armstrong has established himself as a dominant force in Major League Baseball, consistently ranking at or near the top of every offensive metric in the National League. Shota Imanaga, Wednesday’s winning pitcher, expressed his admiration for Crow-Armstrong, stating, “We can always say he’s great, or he’s excellent, but really there’s no words to describe him. So I’ll think of a new word in English for that.”
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Crow-Armstrong can maintain his momentum and lead the Cubs to postseason glory, potentially earning him the coveted MVP title in the process.
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