What happened: Shohei Ohtani has finished first or second in each of the past six MVP elections, passing the mark he previously shared with Barry Bonds and Mike Trout. He placed second in the 2026 National League vote.
Why it matters: Pete Crow-Armstrong took the 2026 NL award, so for the first time in six years neither league's MVP was Ohtani or Aaron Judge.
By the numbers: Ohtani's 2026 line: 30 HR, 81 RBI, .889 OPS at the plate; 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA innings on the mound.
What to watch: The 2027 season starts the next voting cycle, with Ohtani's streak of top-two finishes on the line.