Kristina Roberts
The Major League Baseball season is like a very long race. It has 162 games, and for most of the year, players run at a steady pace, trying to stay strong for the final stretch. But once the All-Star Game and the trade deadline are over, the season feels different. Almost 70% of the games have already been played, and now there are only two months left. At this point, the race to the finish line becomes intense. Every hit, every strikeout, and every win starts to matter more than ever.
These last months are also when the race for the big awards—like the Most Valuable Player (MVP)—starts to heat up. Some players pull ahead and make themselves clear favorites, while others suddenly burst into the spotlight and surprise everyone. August, in particular, has often been the month when players make their strongest push for these honors.
History shows how important August can be. In 2016, Mike Trout, the superstar from the Los Angeles Angels, had his best month of the season in August. He hit an amazing .349 average that month, helping him win his second American League MVP award. In 2017, Giancarlo Stanton had one of the hottest August runs in baseball history. That month, he hit 18 home runs and had an incredible 1.332 OPS, which made him the clear favorite for the National League MVP award.
Even in more recent times, a strong August has changed award races. Just last year, Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill had such a great month that he almost won the National League Rookie of the Year award. In the end, Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes won, but Merrill’s late push still made the contest exciting.
Now in 2025, another exciting battle is taking place—this time for the National League MVP. For most of the year, Shohei Ohtani has been the front-runner. Ohtani, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is widely considered the best player in baseball today. He has been hitting home runs at a remarkable pace, with 39 already, and his .987 OPS is the best in the National League.
What makes Ohtani even more special is that he’s not just a hitter—he’s also a pitcher. This year, he returned to the mound after elbow surgery and has been brilliant, even though the Dodgers have been careful with his workload. In just eight starts, he has a 2.37 ERA, which means he’s allowing very few runs. He has also struck out 25 batters in 19 innings, showing his talent on both sides of the game.
Kyle Schwarber, the power-hitting left fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, has now joined Ohtani in the MVP conversation. Schwarber’s path to this point has been different. He has always been known for his ability to hit long home runs, but this season, he has been more consistent at the plate. His bat has been one of the key reasons the Phillies are in a strong position for the playoffs.
Earlier in the season, Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs was also being talked about as a possible MVP. His speed, defense, and hitting made him one of the most exciting young players in baseball. But as the Cubs began to struggle, his chances started to fade. That opened the door for Schwarber to make his move.
Now, as the season heads into the final two months, the focus is on Ohtani and Schwarber. Both players have their own strengths. Ohtani is a rare two-way player who can dominate with both his bat and his arm. He is hitting .276 with 40 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and an OPS of .987. He has also been a dependable pitcher for the Dodgers. On the other hand, Schwarber brings pure power and big-game experience. His ability to change the game with one swing is unmatched, and he has been a leader for the Phillies’ offense.
Baseball fans know that an MVP award is not just about stats. It’s also about impact—how much a player helps his team win and how memorable his season is. Ohtani’s season feels historic because of how rare it is to see someone excel at both hitting and pitching. Schwarber’s season feels powerful because of the way he has stepped up at key moments, delivering important hits when his team needed them most.
In award races like this, August and September often decide the winner. Players can go on a hot streak that pushes them ahead or hit a slump that knocks them out of the race. Every game from now on will matter for both Ohtani and Schwarber. One great week could completely change the picture.
There’s also the human side to this race. Ohtani has been under the spotlight ever since he came to Major League Baseball from Japan. Every year, fans expect greatness from him, and somehow, he delivers. After his elbow surgery, there were questions about whether he could still pitch at a high level. His comeback has answered those questions in style. Schwarber’s story is one of persistence. He has faced ups and downs in his career but has kept working hard. Now, he is being rewarded with a chance to win one of the highest honors in the sport.
As the final games play out, fans will be watching closely. Will Ohtani’s unique talent as both a pitcher and hitter be enough to keep him in front? Or will Schwarber’s power and leadership carry him past Ohtani in the MVP vote?
Baseball has a way of giving us surprises. A sudden winning streak, an unexpected slump, or a memorable moment can shift everything. By the time the regular season ends in October, we will know who has claimed the National League MVP title. Until then, the race is on—and it promises to be thrilling.
For now, Ohtani and Schwarber are running side by side toward the finish line, each hoping to have their name remembered as the most valuable player in the league.
