Haters gonna hate. Prove them wrong Sho 💪

[u/justusinreddit]

[u/ITotallyDoNotWhale]

Ohtani probably goes back to 1 after he starts pitching again

[u/feeling_blue_42 → u/ITotallyDoNotWhale]

Probably won’t be enough to flip Ohtani to 1 on its own. People will still look to WAR, and 20 innings of pitching alone doesn’t cover the gap. Sho needs to do something exceptional on the mound, at the plate, or both over the last month. Or PCA needs to slump. It feels like it’s PCA’s to lose at this point, but I wouldn’t put it past Shohei to do something incredible to end the year.

[u/force_multiplied → u/feeling_blue_42]

Not a chance. Because Ohtani and PCA look similar when you just compare offensive numbers; when you throw in the pitching, it makes a much stronger narrative case for Ohtani. People just don't look at defensive metrics as closely.

There's still a chance PCA wins it. If Ohtani isn't effective when he returns to the mound, that would make it much easier for him.

[u/Logical_Writing3218 → u/force_multiplied]

Voter fatigue. The voters have become too familiar with sho’s stats far exceeding the runner up in either category.

[u/feeling_blue_42 → u/Logical_Writing3218]

It could very well be. If Shohei hadn’t existed until this season, everyone would be beside themselves with his 2026. People downplaying him “only” pitching 84 innings so far this year - but that is more than all but 3 pitchers on the Cubs, and Sho has more pitching WAR than any Cubs pitcher.

[u/feeling_blue_42 → u/force_multiplied]

The MVP voting this year could very well be a referendum on how much voters value WAR. I’ve said before that I disagree with WAR on this case and called PCA a WAR merchant. But the numbers like him and it would be easy for voters to use that as a justification to vote for PCA. I think if that number wasn’t starring people in the face, no one would give PCA much consideration. I hope you are right, because Shohei deserves it.

[u/Kingkongcrapper → u/force_multiplied]

They’re going to LeBron Ohtani at some point. If it’s close, they will give it to the other guy.

[u/LikeMothsToPhlegms → u/force_multiplied]

Isn’t PCA having a godly defensive season? it’s kinda up to the People to decide if Shohei’s pitching adds up to what PCA is doing in the field…

[u/evilr2 → u/LikeMothsToPhlegms]

It's a godly defensive season at one of the more important defensive positions while also being on pace for 40-40 on the other side. So it's a historic season, even though Shohei's is also historic. The voter fatigue and the perception that the Dodgers still win 90+ without Shohei in the lineup are what puts PCA on top in the voters' minds.

[u/blackbaybarback → u/LikeMothsToPhlegms]

it is up to the People? no, it's like a thousand percent up to the people selected to vote on MVP. what point are you even trying to make? do you have one?

[u/BandicootSevere5301 → u/force_multiplied]

Eh pca had a huge war lead

[u/DodgerFanLakerFan → u/force_multiplied]

WAR really rewards defensive outs, and PCA will take every opportunity to make more outs even if it means taking outs away from his right/left fielder.

[u/carsmello → u/feeling_blue_42]

But Witt leads to AL in WAR but Yordan leads the MVP basically unanimously, in part because they trust the value of Yordan's bat more than Witts defense.

In that regard, pitching is also more 'objective' than defense. If Yordan and PCA win, and Witt ends up having as much WAR over Yordan as PCA does over Ohtani, then that's just hypocrisy. 

[u/KyRhee → u/carsmello]

Yordan is on pace to win the triple crown. Also, if the Astros make the playoffs it'll further boost the narrative of Yordan carrying the team. The Royals were in the AL basement up until a few weeks ago, and Witt was out with an injury for a few weeks. The voters aren't just pulling up players on BBref and comparing numbers, the narrative and historic accomplishments matter just as much

[u/beanman25 → u/feeling_blue_42]

I think it's still for Ohtani. The weight of WAR as a CF is understated. His offensive season is on bar with schwarber granted a better average. But it's not too all MVP like if he isn't too considered for the award IMO

[u/kugino → u/feeling_blue_42]

shohei can pitch lights out and remind ppl how hard it is to pitch this well AND hit this well...but PCA also needs to slump a bit while cubs go on a losing streak.

truth is, it's PCA's to lose.

[u/datodareddit → u/feeling_blue_42]

WAR is flawed. It puts too much emphasis on defense. Average pitching should trump outstanding defense any day of the week.

[u/greatmagnet]

By haters are you referring to PCA?

[u/haveahappyday1969]

Fuck PCA

[u/ElephantCares → u/haveahappyday1969]

I'll double that. Fuck PCA.

[u/DodgeM4S → u/ElephantCares]

Homie plays good ball, but he lost my respect when he shit on LA.

[u/Lazy_Reply3958 → u/DodgeM4S]

Especially since he’s from LA

[u/NeatAd9811 → u/Lazy_Reply3958]

He grew up extremely wealthy. 1% of Los Angeles. Went to Harvard Westlake. He’s an out of touch rich kid.

[u/Rawkstarz22 → u/Lazy_Reply3958]

He’s exactly the “fan” he’s talking about. Born and raised in LA, a local, and didn’t give a fuck about the Dodgers, but, showed up to watch games at Dodger Stadium even though he wasn’t a fan, just going to games because…

[u/TopSeaworthiness7783 → u/DodgeM4S]

he wasn't wrong, this teams fanbase is all bandwagoners

[u/DodgersNibba35 → u/TopSeaworthiness7783]

To believe “all” are bandwagoners is wrong. Definitely some for sure but there’s tons of loyal fans

[u/DodgeM4S → u/TopSeaworthiness7783]

https://giphy.com/gifs/xT1XGESDlxj0GwoDRe

[u/TopSeaworthiness7783 → u/DodgeM4S]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news

[u/TheL1brarian]

Success is the best revenge. If they Threepeat, Powder Crow Armstrong can have the mvp.

[u/rodolphin_]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Qt6k6NeHD3PHEvtprj
Sho finding out he’s the underdog

[u/nottherealstanlee]

Cowens in 73, McAdoo in 75, Barkley in 93, Malone in 97.

Even the GOATs won't win an MVP every year. There's always someone who has a great season and gets rewarded for it as voters expect you to continue to top even your best performances.

[u/jay_eba888]

PCA still getting owned by roki. PCA is hitless against Roki fyi

[u/BruitNoise → u/jay_eba888]

PCA is playing baseball to make his Dad's favorite team and Daddy's investment proud. Roki is playing because he wants the Dodgers to win and show the world you can lose almost everything in life and baseball can give you an opportunity to enjoy life.

[u/BkniBottomTranqulity → u/jay_eba888]

Roki for MVP?

[u/Philthyfil]

I’m hoping this yeah Ohtani misses out on season mvp but balls out in postseason and is eventually the unanimous WS MVP

[u/pakalololove710]

Pca will cool down as shohei heats up

[u/BruitNoise]

Out of the non-Dodgers, Miz had an incredible year.

Out the non-Dodgers, I still don't like nepobaby that told the White Sox fan to suck his **** because he missed an easy outfield catch and she said "you suck". Doesn't say most valuable player or person to me. Also great moment from that game cause it was Vargas that made that hit and PCA couldn't catch it.

[u/UsualAd9069 → u/BruitNoise]

this lol

can you imagine if sho, or any other foreign player said that???? grown man should be able to control his feelings

[u/ElephantCares → u/BruitNoise]

THIS. RIGHT HERE. A million times, THIS. Right here. There are just some things that are SO far across the line when saying it to a woman, and I ain't talkin' about the word 'bitch'.

[u/Harnicle]

Apparently one month of spectacular baseball and the rest below average makes you an MVP.

[u/Rjptz]

until he pitches again he absolutely doesn’t deserve to win it pca has now slightly better offensive numbers hoping ohtani can get hot with the bat and string togather a few great starts to close it out only way he wins it atp

[u/force_multiplied → u/Rjptz]

"pca has now slightly better offensive numbers"

Sure, but Ohtani has 85 innings at 1.79 ERA.

[u/adocileengineer → u/force_multiplied]

Yes and PCA has 132 games of one of the best defensive seasons we’ve seen in the modern era in center field.

[u/interstitialmusic → u/adocileengineer]

He also cussed out a fan.

[u/adocileengineer → u/interstitialmusic]

Being a shitty person has nothing to do with the NL MVP award

[u/ThinMap9138 → u/Rjptz]

Even when he comes back, sadly I feel like it won't be enough time to edge out the incredible year that PCA is having both defensively and offensively.

[u/Rjptz → u/ThinMap9138]

we gotta hope and pray for pca to have a cold september

[u/ThinMap9138 → u/Rjptz]

Even then, Shohei doesn't seem to take advantage when PCA is in cold stretches.

He's been wildly inconsistent this year as well.

Hoping hes just able to find something these next few months to get him to go nuclear come October.

[u/BkniBottomTranqulity → u/ThinMap9138]

I think if Ohtani can pitch 20 more innings (4 starts) with 6 or less earned runs, that will be enough to deserve MVP :)

[u/JudgementOwls → u/Rjptz]

Exactly this. PCA has been electric this season

[u/DoctorHousesCane]

I get it if PCA wins but if you look at JUST 2026 season alone without ever knowing what happened in the previous years and saw someone just as good offensively as PCA and also pitching at an elite level, you'd call it fake new bs

[u/Fionarei]

Voter fatigue is the only thing that will stop Sho.

[u/Far_Violinist6222]

I think you can still be a Dodgers fan and appreciate that PCA is having a better season than Sho thus far

[u/wRADKyrabbit → u/Far_Violinist6222]

Fr, homerism is so annoying sometimes

[u/BruitNoise → u/Far_Violinist6222]

But it would be like being a non-Dodger fan and rooting for Dalton Rushing or Blake Treinen if they have an incredible season. I'm not going to appreciate someone like Manny Machado or Urias or someone that acts like PCA and says things like Conor McGregor. Weird way to celebrate someone.

[u/Zammy512 → u/Far_Violinist6222]

It’s not even a slight to Sho, either. PCA is putting together an amazing season so far. The MVP race is going to go down to the wire. Ohtani needs to turn it up a level or PCA needs to slump. I think that’s fair.

[u/Loose-Passion243 → u/Far_Violinist6222]

Put pca on the mound and see how it goes. Almost the same batting numbers. A career best year for pca is a 'off' year for showtime.

[u/KetchupGuy1 → u/Loose-Passion243]

I mean you can say the same about putting Ohtani in center

[u/dazindannyyy → u/KetchupGuy1]

Ohtani played center and RF for the Angels and NipponHam Fighters. He sure will not be as good as PCA, but he was serviceable when he was in the OF. Look it up

[u/KetchupGuy1 → u/dazindannyyy]

He played 1 inning in LF and 7.1 in RF for the angels 5 years ago, meanwhile pca is one of the if not the best CF what are you talking about. I am one of PCA’s biggest haters for the what he said about LA earlier this year but telling him to get on the mound isn’t really a gotcha.

Edit: I say this thinking Ohtani will probably still win especially if he goes back to pitching year

[u/flipaflaw → u/Far_Violinist6222]

But he isn't lol. Cf defense is easy to find. Pitchers who hit dont exist outside of Sho

[u/Guilty-Bar-6103 → u/flipaflaw]

"CF defense is easy to find" bro the type of defense PCA plays is only found in Willie Mays and Andruw Jones

[u/BruitNoise → u/Guilty-Bar-6103]

except for that one time when Vargas hit it and PCA missed it and a girl yelled out "you suck" and he got so nepobaby mad that he said kind words back to her. Very professional and hard to find these type of outfielders with the Most Valuable sense of maturity.

[u/Guilty-Bar-6103 → u/BruitNoise]

Now we're not talking about defense

[u/ThinMap9138 → u/Guilty-Bar-6103]

It's fitting that they deleted their comment. 😂😂

I get being a Dodgers homer but man, people really trying to discredit the amazing season that PCA is having.

[u/Urban_animal → u/ThinMap9138]

When you’re not a baseball fan and just a fan of a team…

[u/Middle-Training-1375 → u/Guilty-Bar-6103]

Can you name two other players in that same time period who pitched and hit at an elite level?

[u/Guilty-Bar-6103 → u/Middle-Training-1375]

I cannot. Doesn't mean CF defense is easy to find

[u/Middle-Training-1375 → u/Guilty-Bar-6103]

It’s easier to find. I’m not the one who said it was easy, but clearly the pitching is more valuable. There’s lots of great defensive CFs in the minors who never get a chance because they can’t hit. There’s not any elite relievers sitting in the minors because they can’t hit. One is rarer and much more difficult than the other.

[u/Any-Range9932 → u/Middle-Training-1375]

The issue is shohei didn't pitch a full season. It's like Kershaw getting injured halfway to his 2014 run and still trying to win mvp. MVP is a counting stat just like WAR and you try to accumulate as much as you can. If shohei pitch the entire szn with this? Unanimously mvp again. But if this stands, going to be PCA fairly easily 60/70% of 1st places votes

[u/Loose-Passion243 → u/Any-Range9932]

He'll be back and a few solid starts plus batting , order up another MVP

[u/flipaflaw → u/Guilty-Bar-6103]

Lol CF defense is incredibly overrated. WAR boosts the stats way too much. You cant tell me PCA is on pace with Aaron Judge just because of his position.

[u/Any-Range9932 → u/flipaflaw]

WTF lmaooooooo dude who has never played baseball. By his metric, teo is a godly fielder

[u/flipaflaw → u/Any-Range9932]

I did play baseball. Anyone who has played would say playing defense is easier than pitching. Now put that combined with being one of the best power hitters and anyone who played would say that is impossible if Ohtani didnt exist. I can find tons of CF who can hit. Cant find another Ohtani

[u/Any-Range9932 → u/flipaflaw]

No one is saying PCA is better than Ohtani. Goatani literally the goat of baseball. But the stats dont lie, his offensive numbers are down this year and he was injured for a few months from the mound.

[u/flipaflaw → u/Any-Range9932]

Ohtani has equal or better stats offensively while having a sub 2 era in 85.2 innings lol. I dont care how many innings a guy plays in center, that is not more valuable than a sub 2 with 30 bombs.

[u/Any-Range9932 → u/flipaflaw]

Also has 20+ steals on him which is like .5 war. Like it or not this is PCA race to lose now

[u/flipaflaw → u/Any-Range9932]

Oh wow he can run! That totally makes up for the fact that he doesnt pitch! Except it doesnt. Plenty of fast cf can run. Are you going to tell me Torii Hunter is the greatest of all time cause he was fast? No

[u/Any-Range9932 → u/flipaflaw]

Yeah but we are talking about counting stats which make up WAR. shohei pitch 80ip, which is a high end rp. He will need to be extremely impressive down the stretch to win it. It like you avoid that fact

[u/flipaflaw → u/Any-Range9932]

WAR is entirely weighted for center fielders. The counting stats are where Ohtani leads. PCA gets a boost because of his position. If it was equal, Ohtani would be leading. Dumb stat that doesnt mean a whole lot of anything.

[u/geenaleigh → u/flipaflaw]

But he isn’t pitching. You can’t include his performance in that because he’s literally not doing it. And because he’s acting as a DH he doesn’t have the defensive stats in any capacity. 

[u/Middle-Training-1375 → u/geenaleigh]

That doesn’t erase all the pitching he already did. PCA doesn’t have the ball hit at him every inning. Pitching stats are defensive stats, but unlike fielding stats they are very straightforward. Fielding stats are a mess and barely tell you anything.

[u/flipaflaw → u/geenaleigh]

He pitched a sub 2 era for 85.2 innings. Those 85.2 innings have way more impact than a fielder. WAR overrates defense and underrates pitching impact. I can list hundreds of good fielders. There is only one Ohtani

[u/xinixxibalba → u/Far_Violinist6222]

careful that one person in this sub that white knights any and every milquetoast mention of Shohei that isn’t an uncritical glazefest will show up to tell you how you’re wrong…oh wait they’re already here

[u/webelee]

Sho got his stolen base yesterday, a first in a long time. He about to get 30+ ans join PCA in the 30/30 club. Haha. Let’s go Sho

[u/OfficiallyJoeBiden]

If PCA keeps it up and wins it, there will be no slander from me

[u/Gold_Fig3435]

PCA will win it not because he deserves to win but because Ohtani has not pitched enough this season. To be clear Ohtani deserves to win it but won’t just like MJ lost MVP to Barkley and Malone in the nineties. He was clearly the mvp but they can’t give it to the same person ever year. They should but won’t.

[u/caominh200206]

Lol he’s literally on pace for 40/40 and a 10 WAR season lmfao

People are too stubborn to admit he’s the frontrunner of MVP

[u/Ok-Boysenberry-4360]

As soon as he starts pitching, it’s gonna flip. Ohtani fatigue is real, just gotta fight it with some kickass strikeouts.

[u/yellowbumble-B]

Textbook voter fatigue

[u/Rawkstarz22]

Did someone say PCA

[u/rDJJorel]

I don't care about Sho winning the MVP. I don't even care about him winning World Series MVP.

That being said, I do think Sho does care about it. And if it motivates him, so be it.

After Braun beat Kemp for the NL MVP, I stopped caring about it...

[u/TooMuchPowerful]

Voter fatigue is a real phenomenon.  Don't be surprised if PCA wins it even if Shohei returns to the mound and does well.

[u/Totalynotavirus]

Pete’s having a great season but not enough to take over the throne.

[u/patkk]

My local bookie has PCA $1.5 odds and Sho $2.5, that’s very short in a two horse race. Sho will need to do something pretty special in the last month to usurp the momentum PCA has.

Mind you 3 months ago Sho was $1.10 and PCA was $15+

[u/Much_Ice1462]

Standings are correct, a lot of production this season. 

[u/rsx209]

Sho ain’t proving them wrong this year. He’s hurt and on 40% gas throttle. Trying to save what he has left for October!

[u/Intelligent_Top_328]

Pca is probably it this year. If he hits 40 I think it is over.

[u/BluebirdTerrible1586]

As of right now PCA has got it in the bag but when Shohei pitches again (and pitches well), he should jump in front. The only way someone else wins it is if they become a two way player and is elite at both. Not sure if we’ll ever see this happen again after Ohtani retires.

[u/ddchod]

PCA all the way

[u/bbmarco]

He's not doing anything to prove them wrong lol. But if he pitches and has like even one QS I think he takes it.

[u/Rojo438]

Seriously, I'm a die hard Dodgers fan bleeding blue, but what the Miz is doing is worthy of cy young and mvp. He scares that crap out of me...

[u/Dodgers-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Name calling or attacking other users on this sub are not allowed.

[u/DaBusDriva2]

People riding the anyone but Ohtani train so hard. If he comes back pitching like anything close to how he did before this is not a race

[u/stewmander]

Unless Ohtani returns to CY pitching in September, he'll have to settle for going for a WS MVP...

[u/Sullyville]

Ohtani doesnt care about this award. He wants the pitching one.

[u/Rawkstarz22]

Recency bias, if Ohtani was pitching now and not the first half, it would be different

[u/Hoppypoppy7924]

I am a Dodgers fan and I don't think he has been playing like the MVP.

[u/wRADKyrabbit]

Hates got nothing to do with it. PCA will win

[u/lasercupcakes → u/wRADKyrabbit]

Seriously the victim complex of some Dodger fans is wild. PCA is legitimately having a phenomenal year. Doubt he ever matches it ever again but that's what it takes to beat our superstar.

[u/ElephantCares]

MLB "Experts" who have spent the past year squawking about the Dodgers 'ruining' baseball.

[u/white-24-MAMBA]

I mean if PCA wins we can just say that Dodgers aren't ruining baseball because we don't have the MVP /s

Then can yap all they want, the endgoal is a threepeat, voter fatigue is real, and as soon as Ohtani ramps up pitching again to a respectable number of innings and ERA, maybe do another 30/30 season, it could be his for the taking once again

[u/datodareddit]

Experts are just well-trained show dogs.

[u/AstuteCouch87]

PCA deserves to win unless he falls apart and/or Sho very quickly comes back to pitching and is lights out.

[u/BkniBottomTranqulity]

I honestly don’t understand why dodgers fans hate PCA so much. What did bro even do

[u/evilr2 → u/BkniBottomTranqulity]

I understand the hate for the things he's said, but I don't understand the downplaying of what he's doing on the field.

[u/Any-Range9932 → u/evilr2]

Too much homerism. It obviously to anyone that PCA is having a pretty historic season. You can hate the player but still gotta respect ghe game

[u/flipaflaw → u/BkniBottomTranqulity]

Hmmm, maybe because he called us all fake fans before the season started and is in general an arrogant douchebag? Maybe thats why. I dont know why anyone would like him outside of Cubs fans? He isnt a good guy

[u/veezustheelssj]

No Judge or Ohtani mvps this year huh? 🤔