Pete Crow-Armstrong hits two more home runs, reaches 38 on the season in Cubs loss

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two home runs Sunday in a 7-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, per Yahoo Sports, extending a power surge that has now produced five home runs across two games and brought his season total to 38.

The Chicago Cubs outfielder led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run on a 99 mph full-count fastball from Chase Burns, depositing it into the right-field bleachers at Wrigley Field to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead. His second home run of the day cut Chicago's deficit to two runs, though the Reds held on for the win.

The performance came one day after Crow-Armstrong hit three home runs in Chicago's 17-5 victory over Cincinnati on Saturday, per the report. Yahoo Sports noted that the blast in the first inning marked his fourth home run in a span of seven at-bats.

What happened

Crow-Armstrong turned on Burns' fastball to open the scoring Sunday, continuing the offensive output that saw him collect three home runs the previous afternoon. The report indicated that his second home run brought the Cubs within two runs before Cincinnati closed out the 7-5 win.

The two-homer effort gave Crow-Armstrong five home runs across the weekend series and lifted his season total to 38. Yahoo Sports described the stretch as further bolstering his case in what the outlet characterized as "a runaway MVP case past Shohei Ohtani in the National League."

The Reds scored six runs off the Cubs starter, per the report, overcoming Crow-Armstrong's production at the plate.

Why it matters

Crow-Armstrong's power display over two games represents one of the more concentrated offensive bursts of the 2026 season. Five home runs in two games is a rare feat at any level, and doing so while reaching 38 home runs on the year places him among the National League's power leaders.

The timing matters for Chicago's postseason positioning. The Cubs entered the weekend series with Cincinnati holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League, and offensive production from any source carries weight as the calendar turns toward September. Crow-Armstrong's surge provided run support in Saturday's blowout win and kept Sunday's game within reach despite the Reds' six-run output against the Chicago pitching staff.

Yahoo Sports framed the performance in the context of the National League MVP race, suggesting Crow-Armstrong is building a case that could challenge Shohei Ohtani. The outlet did not provide vote totals, projections, or polling data, but the characterization reflects the attention Crow-Armstrong's season has drawn.

The loss Sunday prevented Chicago from sweeping the three-game set, but the Cubs still took two of three from Cincinnati and extended their winning streak to three games overall.

Where the club stands

The Cubs are 81-62, good for a .566 winning percentage and second place in the National League Central, seven games behind the division leader. Chicago holds the top Wild Card spot in the National League, sitting six games ahead of the cut line with three weeks remaining in the regular season.

The three-game winning streak, which includes Saturday's 17-5 rout and Sunday's competitive loss, has kept the Cubs in strong position for October. The margin above the Wild Card cut line provides some cushion, but the schedule ahead will test whether Chicago can maintain its footing or make a push to close the gap in the division.

The Cubs open a three-game series Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, with Clay Holmes scheduled to start opposite Kyle Harrison. Tuesday's game features Matthew Boyd against Robert Gasser, and Wednesday's series finale is set for David Peterson versus Jacob Misiorowski. The Brewers series represents a key divisional matchup as both clubs navigate the final stretch.

What we don't know yet

Yahoo Sports characterized Crow-Armstrong's MVP case as "runaway" compared to Shohei Ohtani, but the report did not include vote projections, polling data, or statements from MVP voters. The outlet's framing reflects the narrative momentum Crow-Armstrong has built, but the actual voting will not occur until after the regular season concludes.

The sustainability of Crow-Armstrong's power surge is another open question. Five home runs in two games is an extraordinary stretch, but whether he can maintain elevated production through September—or whether this represents a peak within normal variance—will shape how the final weeks of his season are remembered.

The report did not specify whether Crow-Armstrong is dealing with any physical issues or fatigue, nor did it address his defensive workload or how the Cubs plan to manage his playing time down the stretch. With the roster expanding to 28 players on September 1, Chicago will have additional flexibility to rest regulars, though Crow-Armstrong's bat may make him difficult to remove from the lineup.

What to watch

Crow-Armstrong's next at-bats will draw attention as fans and analysts look to see whether the power surge continues or regresses toward his season norms. The Brewers series offers an immediate test, with three games at Wrigley Field providing a familiar setting for Crow-Armstrong to build on the weekend's production.

The National League MVP race will remain a storyline through the final weeks of the season, particularly if Crow-Armstrong continues to post numbers that challenge Ohtani's candidacy. The Cubs' postseason positioning adds another layer: if Chicago can hold the top Wild Card spot or close the gap in the division, Crow-Armstrong's contributions will be central to that outcome.

September 1 brings the roster expansion to 28 players, giving the Cubs additional depth for the final month. How the Chicago skipper deploys that depth—and whether Crow-Armstrong receives any rest days—will be worth monitoring as the club balances workload management with the urgency of a playoff push.

The Brewers series also carries divisional implications. Milwaukee's position in the standings was not detailed in the material, but any series between NL Central clubs in late August carries weight for both the division race and Wild Card jockeying. Crow-Armstrong's bat will be a focal point as Chicago looks to extend its winning streak and maintain its cushion above the playoff cut line.