CHICAGO -- The roar of the crowd at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon told a story of a changing of the guard in the National League. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani, two of the game's most electrifying talents, put on a show for the ages. Each hit two home runs, but it was Crow-Armstrong's Cubs who emerged with a 7-6 victory, sweeping the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers in dominant fashion.

Crow-Armstrong, a 24-year-old center fielder, has been turning heads all season with his elite defense and surging bat. Wednesday, he went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs, including a leadoff homer in the first inning that matched Ohtani's own solo shot to start the game. It was only the second time in Wrigley Field history (since 1913) that both teams hit a leadoff home run. Crow-Armstrong's second blast came in the fourth inning, putting him at 25 home runs for the year and making him the first Cubs player ever to produce consecutive seasons of 25 homers and 25 steals. He also now owns the second-most home runs (67) in franchise history before turning 25, trailing only Hall of Famer Ron Santo.

Despite the personal accolades, Crow-Armstrong kept his focus on the team's success. When asked about the MVP race, he said, "I would be crazy to say that I don't want to win an MVP, but if we're talking about having priorities straight, I think mine are pretty straight. It's not on the forefront of my mind. It's fun to joke about it, and it's fun to acknowledge. And I think it's absolutely OK to pay attention to, but it's not like following me up to the plate." He added with a grin, "I think if you guys want to talk about all this back and forth, I really should go get in the lab and start pitching. I really should."

Crow-Armstrong's self-deprecating humor about pitching highlights a key contrast with Ohtani, who has been limited to designated hitter duties since early July due to left knee soreness. Ohtani, the two-time reigning NL MVP, has not pitched since then but remains confident he will return to the mound at some point this season. "It's hard to tell what the schedule will look like," he said through his interpreter. "On the hitting side of things, I'm working toward getting back on the mound and working on that side of the game." Wednesday, Ohtani collected three hits and drove in three runs, including a second home run during a furious eighth-inning rally that saw the Dodgers score five times. But the comeback fell short as the Cubs closed out the game in the ninth, handing Los Angeles its sixth straight loss.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised Crow-Armstrong's breakout season. "I think it's fun watching Pete have this season," Counsell said. "How that [MVP award] all happens, who knows. It's a season you remember. You remember seasons like this. You cherish seasons like this. That's the best part."

The MVP odds have shifted dramatically. According to DraftKings, Crow-Armstrong is now the favorite at -120, after starting the day behind Ohtani. This marks the first time this season the Cubs outfielder has held the lead. Ohtani, who has won AL MVP twice (2021 and 2023) and NL MVP twice (2024 and 2025), remained focused on the team. "Not really," he said when asked if he's thinking about the MVP race. "It's still too far away to think about that. For me, it's more important for the team to win."

Crow-Armstrong, meanwhile, waved off the individual hype long enough to appreciate the sweep. "I would feel much more accomplished taking them down at some point," he said. "I want to see this group in October because I think it'll be a dangerous group in the playoffs."

The Dodgers now head to Arizona for a crucial weekend series against the second-place Diamondbacks, hoping to halt their skid. The Cubs, riding high after sweeping the two-time champions, look ahead to the postseason with renewed confidence. The MVP race, once a one-man show, now has a new leader.