What happened: Crow-Armstrong went 4-for-6 with three home runs on Sept. 3, the first three-homer game of his career. He stood one short of 40 the next day.
Why it matters: Forty homers give his NL MVP case a traditional counting-stat marker alongside broader value metrics. The timing leaves voters the final weeks of the regular season to weigh his surge.
By the numbers: Crow-Armstrong has posted an 11.7% walk rate this season, with five homers coming during a two-game burst.
What to watch: The remaining September schedule will determine how far Crow-Armstrong pushes the total before award voting.