PHENOM: Pete Crow-Armstrong FUELS Cubs and Joins MVP Race

Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong makes history as the first MLB player this season to reach both 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases—can his dynamic play spark a deep postseason run at Wrigley Field? Brett Chansey and Mike Stanton examine Crow-Armstrong’s evolution into a five-tool superstar, comparing him to Cubs legends like Ernie Banks and Sammy Sosa while questioning if his six-year, $115 million deal is already a franchise steal. The episode explores why high strikeout totals no longer hinder MVP hopefuls like Kyle Schwarber, spotlighting MLB’s changing priorities from batting average to OPS and power. Major League Baseball also faces a seismic shift as seven veteran umpires, including high-profile names like CB Buckner and Laz Diaz, prepare to retire amid increased scrutiny and the rise of ABS technology. Will the next generation of officials and hitters redefine the modern game? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.