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MLB: Cubs Beat Nationals to Move 20 Games over .500
Crow-Armstrong leads off again and ranks first in the majors with a 7.3 WAR as Chicago keeps his bat in the lineup.
Ahead of Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell moved outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to designated hitter, with Tyrone Taylor taking over defensive duties in center field.
The lineup adjustment allows Crow-Armstrong, who is leading the league with a 7.3 WAR, to rest defensively; across 117 games and 439 at-bats, he has recorded 26 home runs and 70 RBIs.
Crow-Armstrong recently hit a 437-foot home run against the Washington Nationals, his 27th of the season, and remains firmly in the mix for the National League MVP alongside Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
Chicago holds a 68-49 record and rides a five-game winning streak, remaining focused on catching the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race while maintaining the top Wild Card spot.
LHP David Peterson starts Wednesday for the Cubs, while the Nationals are expected to promote top prospect Jackson Kent as Chicago pushes to improve upon their season-best 20 games over.500 mark.