Ben Verlander is making his case, and he’s not backing down. In this post, the Fox Sports MLB insider argues that Shohei Ohtani remains the National League MVP front-runner for the 2026 season, even acknowledging his admiration for the Cubs’ breakout star in the same breath. His reasoning centers on Ohtani’s rare dual-threat impact: elite offensive production paired with Cy Young-caliber pitching for half the season, a combination he calls worthy of a unanimous MVP selection. The accompanying photo captures the two players mid-swing, side by side in their respective uniforms, Ohtani in Dodgers gray with his number 17 on full display, and the Cubs slugger in pinstripes with eye black and a determined expression. The image visually reinforces the debate at the heart of the post, pitting two of the National League’s most electric performers against each other as the MVP conversation heats up. #mlbmvp #mlbnews #pca #ohtani #feed