Crow-Armstrong Listens to Legend with Monster Game in Cubs Rout

Written By Jason Green | Published at August 30, 2026

Crow-Armstrong listens to legend in Cubs rout of Reds. Before the game Sammy Sosa told him he wanted three home runs and that is exactly what PCA did. — Aug 29, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4), right, celebrates with second baseman Pedro Ramirez (75) after they score on his three-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs legend Sammy Sosa was in attendance for the team's game on Saturday, celebrating the Cubs' 150th year in the National League.

He met young star Pete Crow-Armstrong before the game and told him he needed to see more from him and wanted him to hit three home runs. PCA listened and did just that, going yard three times in Chicago’s 17-5 rout of the Cincinnati Reds.

First Time and 8th Time for PCA

Crow-Armstrong hit three home runs for the first time in his career, and the 24-year-old had his eighth career leadoff home run, all of which have been this season. In the win, he was 4-for-6 with six RBIs, and the Cubbies banged out 19 hits.

The first two home runs from PCA came off Cincy left-hand starter Andrew Abbott, and the phenom is batting .315 against southpaws this season after batting only .188 against them last season. This season, the young star is hitting .282 with 36 home runs and 89 RBIs.

The MVP Race

After Crow-Armstrong hit his third home run of the game, the crowd at Wrigley Field chanted “MVP” as he rounded the bases. They are pretty spot on, as PCA is the massive betting favorite to win the MVP. At BetMGM Sportsbook, he is at -1250 to win the award, with two-time defending NL MVP Shohei Ohtani a distant second at +700.

Several weeks ago, Ohtani was the big favorite to win the MVP award, but he has not been able to pitch since the beginning of July due to minor injuries. He has still been able to DH but has six fewer home runs and nine fewer RBIs than PCA, who also has the fifth most stolen bases in the Majors (32) and is considered one of the best defensive center fielders.

PCA’s Big Game Was Needed

The Cubs needed a big game from their young star, as the win snapped their three-game losing streak. They are in second place in the NL Central, eight games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, but are atop the NL Wild Card standings.

BetMGM has the Cubs with the seventh-best odds to win the World Series (+1400) and the fourth-best odds to win the NL Pennant (+850).