Pete Crow-Armstrong chases Kyle Schwarber for the major league home run lead

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a late-season challenger for the Major League Baseball home run title. Entering September 2026, Crow-Armstrong has recorded 40 home runs, narrowing the gap to three behind Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. ESPN analyst Eric Karabell identified the shift in momentum, noting that Crow-Armstrong hit 14 home runs during August while Schwarber has struggled with a lower back injury that hindered his power production since July. Despite the recent trend, Schwarber remains the statistical leader and retains support from most experts to finish the year on top. Crow-Armstrong must maintain his current offensive pace to overtake the veteran slugger before the conclusion of the regular season.

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