Sophia
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber delivered a performance for the ages on Thursday, launching an astonishing four home runs against the Atlanta Braves. This monumental night not only propelled him into elite MLB history but also dramatically reignited the National League MVP conversation, putting significant pressure on what was widely considered Shohei Ohtani’s inevitable coronation.
A Historic Night: Four Homers and a Surge in the HR Race
In a display of raw power, Schwarber became just the 21st player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a single game. This incredible feat instantly closed the gap in the MLB home run race, bringing him to within one of Cal Raleigh’s league-leading 50 and pushing him four clear of Ohtani’s 45. The timing couldn’t be more impactful, coming just hours after two ESPN experts predicted he would ultimately claim the home run crown.
“Schwarber will win the home run title, hitting 56 this season,” boldly stated Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “He has historically slugged well in September, and this year will be no exception. In his career, he has produced his second-highest slugging percentage (.521) in September, trailing only June. Ohtani is also good late in the year, but this is turning into a very special season for the Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter. He’s slugging .577 against left-handed pitching, which will translate into a couple more homers off lefties in September and be the difference in the home run race.”
Expert Predictions Come to Life
Buster Olney, another respected voice from ESPN, echoed Rogers’ sentiment, predicting an even higher total for Schwarber. “Schwarber will win the title, but he’ll reach 59,” Olney wrote. “He has figured out how to hit left-handers—stand in the box, take the HBPs, and square up everything—and has absurdly even splits, with a .946 OPS against right-handers and .943 against lefties. And as strong as he has been this season, he’s just getting warmed up, with 20 homers in his past 45 games.”
These prescient analyses, made before Schwarber’s historic night, now hold even more weight. While Ohtani’s season with the Los Angeles Dodgers remains exceptional, the narrative is undeniably shifting. The Dodgers’ comparatively softer remaining schedule could still favor Ohtani in the long run, but Schwarber’s recent surge presents a compelling counter-argument.
The MVP Question: Schwarber vs. Ohtani
The perennial question now looms larger than ever: Can Kyle Schwarber truly win the MVP over Shohei Ohtani? Realistically, in a universe without Ohtani’s unprecedented two-way dominance, Schwarber’s case would be unassailable. His power numbers, combined with his late-season heroics, paint the picture of a true MVP candidate.
However, Ohtani’s unique ability to excel as both an elite pitcher and an elite hitter presents a challenge unlike any other. His season has been filled with dazzling highlights, including leading a 2025 that excites with home run hits in MLB. Yet, Schwarber’s recent explosion serves as a powerful reminder that the MVP race is far from over, and the final weeks of the season promise to be an electrifying battle between two of baseball’s most captivating stars.
As the postseason picture also begins to solidify, unexpected twists, like an unexpected favor from the Dodgers to the Mets that could impact playoff matchups, add another layer of intrigue to the league. Meanwhile, players like Teoscar Hernández are testing Dave Roberts’ patience, as the Dodgers now need him to step up defensively. All eyes will be on these incredible athletes as the regular season draws to a close.
