NEW YORK — He’s one of the standout players in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ strong batting lineup.

He’s not the first name that pops up in Los Angeles advertising.

A player who can enjoy a quiet meal at a Beverly Hills eatery without being hounded by paparazzi.

A star in the league, yet not often mentioned in the same breath as legends like Babe Ruth or hailed as one of the all-time greats in baseball.

This is Mookie Betts, and on Thursday during the Dodgers’ 10-2 victory over the New York Mets—securing a 3-1 advantage in the NL Championship Series—he made it abundantly clear just how talented he is.

“He’s one of the best players in the game,’’ endorsed Dodgers infielder Max Muncy. “Sometimes you just need to remind him of that, and games like this do the job.”

In front of a sold-out crowd of 43,882 at Citi Field, Betts went 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBIs, joining an elite group as only the third Dodgers player ever to achieve four hits and four RBIs in a postseason game.

“I can’t really explain it, but I felt great,’’ Betts reflected. “It’s nice to feel good. Helping the team was fun.”

Betts and Shohei Ohtani, who hit a home run to start the game, together scored seven runs, the highest combined total for a team’s top two hitters in postseason history (a record previously held by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez of the 2004 New York Yankees).

“Mookie’s incredible,’’ Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman, who batted in the cleanup spot, remarked. “He’s been one of the top players in baseball for years. He works hard, and facing both him and Shohei can be quite the challenge for opposing pitchers.”

The Dodgers have dominated the Mets in this series, outpacing them 30-9, while exhibiting remarkable patience with a record-setting 31 walks drawn—the highest in a four-game postseason series. Muncy made it on base a record-setting 12 times consecutively throughout the series, including three walks on Thursday. Ohtani also walked three times following his lead-off homer. Teoscar Hernandez added to the tally with two walks, making it six total for him in this series.

“This is what makes that team special,’’ noted Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “It’s not just Ohtani; it’s Mookie, Teoscar, and Freddie (Freeman). Plus, Muncy and Kiké (Hernandez) are stepping up as usual.”

“Their lineup is deep, and most importantly, they force you to come into the zone. They won’t chase bad pitches. You have to be precise when you pitch to them, or you’ll pay the price.”

Betts seized this opportunity repeatedly on Thursday. He recorded a single in the third inning which sparked a two-run rally, then hit a two-run double in the fourth extending the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2. He capped his performance with a two-run homer in the sixth, pushing the lead to 7-2.

Betts, an eight-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove winner, MVP, batting champion, and two-time World Series champion, had previously played in 67 postseason games. Never had he experienced a game quite like this.

The playoff anxieties that once plagued him have now faded.

The negativity on social media is gone.

After a tough time this postseason, before which Betts deleted his social media accounts, he has emerged victorious.

“It’s hard to escape it all,” Betts acknowledged. “Everyone has their eyes on you—family, friends, and the media are watching. It’s not easy to disconnect.”

“I’ve found that stepping away from social media and spending quality time with my kids and wife has been the best way to cope. Sometimes, I just sit alone in the locker room to reset before stepping back into it all.”

“It’s tough, but when you have the will, you’ll make it work.”

This postseason slump that haunted him for the past two years is finally over.

Betts is currently producing a .333 average in the last seven postseason games, with two doubles, three homers, 10 RBIs, and eight runs scored, aiding the Dodgers as they edge closer to the World Series.

“A lot of things have clicked,” Betts explained. “Today went well. But tomorrow is a new day, and I’m ready to work towards recreating that success.”

“It really comes down to hard work. God is definitely answering my prayers.”

The noticeable difference, as the Dodgers describe, is the confidence Betts is exuding both at the plate and within the clubhouse. He committed to taking 500 swings a day to find his rhythm, determined not to let the struggles stem from lack of effort.

“Mookie is still amongst the elite in baseball,” Muncy remarked. “He may be overshadowed by Shohei Ohtani, but let’s be real—Mookie is still earning $400 million. Look at his achievements. Sometimes we just need to give him a nudge.”

Betts added, “My teammates have done wonders supporting my confidence. At times I really need that.”

The Dodgers emphasize just how crucial he is to their success. Without him, their dream of winning the championship, having that glorious parade in downtown, and securing legendary status in Los Angeles seems out of reach.

“We rely on him, and he’s aware of that,” Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez mentioned. “He’s incredible. Playing alongside someone who has numerous MVP awards, World Series titles, and every accolade imaginable is an invaluable experience.

“That’s just Mookie. He does extraordinary things.”

Mookie is also the reason pitchers have to face Ohtani directly. They know if they avoid pitching to Ohtani, Betts will capitalize on it. When Ohtani started the game with a 422-foot home run against Jose Quintana, the Mets chose to pitch carefully to him for the remainder of the game. Ohtani walked three times after that, and each time, Betts promptly got a hit.

“It’s been exciting to watch him excel, especially when I’m on base,” Ohtani shared. “He looks sharp and focused.”

The Dodgers sum it up rather succinctly.

“It’s all about Mookie,” Freeman stated, “simply being Mookie.

“And it’s truly a sight to behold.”