Pete Crow-Armstrong has once again done more than rescue the Cubs in the Crosstown Classic opener. His two-homer performance supplied yet another signature moment for a remarkably convincing MVP campaign. The Cubs were on the brink of loss, but a timely hit from Nico Hoerner propelled the game into extras where PCA once again walked off of the field the hero.
PCA has been playing lights out baseball this season, and his stats back it up on every front. On Monday's victory alone, he went 4-5, hit in three RBIs and scored twice. Four hits and a walk isn't too bad for the guy who has seemingly hoisted the franchise on his back. The game started with PCA's 29th home run of the season, and it finished with his 30th. It was the first time it's happened in the MLB since Chris Young of the Diamondbacks did so back in 2010.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is the first player with a leadoff home run and a walk-off home run in the same game since Chris Young for the Diamondbacks on Aug. 7, 2010 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5qIOOozVnO
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) August 18, 2026
Pete Crow-Armstrong keeps strengthening his MVP case
With over a month of the season remaining, PCA is already on the brink of topping all of his 2025 numbers, and comfortably. He's only a single dinger away from 31 home runs, his record from last season. In addition to that, in 2025, PCA crossed the plate 91 times. To date, he's already scored 89 times. This guy is on his pace to scoring over 100 runs, as well as driving in just as many. It's difficult not to make an MVP argument for him when he's playing like Monday on a regular basis.
PCA has become one of the most exciting baseball players in the MLB today, and this walk-off is just another trophy on his quickly expanding shelf. His stellar performance this season both in hitting and on the field has been outstanding. While Shohei Ohtani remains formidable opposition, it's hard to argue the case here given Ohtani's dual ability. Yet PCA's unique combination of defense and baserunning could give him a very real path the the coveted MVP award.
While the Crosstown Classic is far from a playoff matchup, the tension in the air always seem to have a feel of it. It seems fitting for the Cubs to make a statement with their most notable player to start and finish the game. But this was only the first matchup of a series that's sure to include more seriously impressive baseball. The Cubs remain firmly on the coattails of the Brewers, and if PCA can continue leading the team like he did on Monday, the White Sox will be only the first hurdle on their mad dash to catch Milwaukee.
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