Pete Crow-Armstrong has been lighting up the diamond for the Cubs, showcasing his prowess both at the plate and in the field. Over the past month, he’s been on a tear, maintaining a 28-game on-base streak and proving himself as one of the premier outfielders in the game. Yet, despite these standout performances, Crow-Armstrong has been overlooked for a starting spot in the 2026 All-Star Game, a snub that raises questions about the fan-voting process.
With the highest WAR in baseball, Crow-Armstrong's exclusion from the All-Star starting lineup is a head-scratcher. He finished 10th among National League outfielders, missing the cut as only the top six advanced to the next voting phase. This means the Cubs will not have a starter in the All-Star Game, with their highest-ranked player, Kelly, finishing 7th at his position.
Despite a late surge in votes that nearly doubled his total to over a million, Crow-Armstrong fell short by about 400,000 votes to advance. However, there’s still hope for him to be selected as a reserve outfielder, a decision that rests with player ballots and the MLB Commissioner's Office. His omission highlights the flaws in the fan-voting system, especially considering his superior stats compared to other candidates.
Adding to the frustration, some of the chosen outfielders like Teoscar Hernández and Ronald Acuña Jr. have missed significant portions of the season due to injuries. Cubs fans are justified in questioning the All-Star selection process, which often resembles a popularity contest more than a reflection of on-field performance.
Crow-Armstrong's snub also reflects the voting dynamics influenced by team success and market size. With two Dodgers and two Braves players advancing, it's clear that leading teams with large fan bases have an advantage. Fans can vote multiple times a day, which can skew results towards teams with more active fan bases.
Crow-Armstrong's reputation took a hit earlier this season following an on-field altercation with a White Sox fan. His reaction to the incident, although later apologized for, may have impacted his All-Star candidacy. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that athletes, like anyone else, are prone to mistakes and growth from such experiences is what counts.
Despite the off-field incident, Crow-Armstrong’s on-field performance speaks volumes. Heading into the weekend series in Milwaukee, he was posting an impressive .395/.462/.789 slash line, with 45 hits, 11 home runs, and a 241 wRC+. These numbers are hard to ignore and make a strong case for his inclusion based on merit rather than popularity.
In the end, the All-Star Game should celebrate the best talents of the season, and Pete Crow-Armstrong's stellar performance certainly fits that bill. His journey this season is a testament to his skill and resilience, and while the fan-voting process might not have favored him this time, his contributions on the field continue to capture the admiration of baseball fans everywhere.
In Other News...
Cubs May Already Have A Carson Kelly Backup Plan Brewing
Carson Kelly has given the Cubs exactly what they hoped for this season, settling in as a reliable force behind the plate and making himself one of the more appealing catchers headed toward free agency. The problem for Chicago is that a strong year from Kelly only sharpens the next question, because the front office is juggling more than one roster need and cant treat catcher as the only item on the list.
If Kelly prices himself into a different tier this winter, the Cubs may need a cleaner backup plan than simply hoping everything works out. The organization has internal options it can sort through if he departs, but it is also keeping an eye on the future at the position, where the 2026 draft could offer a long-term answer and help shape what Chicago looks like behind the plate in the years ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Just Sent Another Message To The Brewers And The Central
The Cubs kept rolling with another tight win over Milwaukee, outlasting the Brewers 4-3 in extra innings and backing up Sundays victory with a second straight statement against the division leader. Chicago has now won 8 of its last 10, and the timing matters, because the club is trying to turn a strong stretch into something more meaningful in the NL Central race.
The pitching staff did its part again, piecing together 10 innings with 12 strikeouts and just two earned runs allowed while the offense found enough late to push ahead. Seiya Suzuki came through in the 10th with a clutch two-run single, and the Cubs even had to manage a late Brewers push before finally closing the door, a reminder that this kind of momentum only counts if they can keep stacking nights like this. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Fans Are Running Out Of Patience With Alex Bregman
Alex Bregmans first season with the Cubs has been short on the kind of impact Chicago expected, and the unease around his bat has only grown as the summer has worn on. He has struggled to produce in big spots, especially with runners in scoring position, where the numbers have sunk well below what a middle-of-the-order hitter is supposed to provide.
The frustration is not just about missed chances at the plate, either. In a recent game against the Brewers, Bregman drew heat for the way he handled a ground ball in the box, a moment that fit the broader concern around his season: the Cubs are still waiting for the version of him that changes games, not the one who keeps leaving fans wanting more. [Read more 🡒]