LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Dodgers closed out their series against the Kansas City Royals with a 4–2 victory at Dodger Stadium, completing a much needed sweep after one of the most difficult stretches of their season.

Eric Lauer had every reason to be the center of attention that night. The Dodgers left hander threw 112 pitches over 6⅓ innings, the most by a Los Angeles pitcher this season. He allowed just 4 hits and 2 runs, only one of them earned, while recording 6 strikeouts.

It was exactly the kind of performance the Dodgers needed after their bullpen had carried a heavy workload in the previous games.

But when “MVP” chants began to come Lauer’s way after the victory, the veteran pitcher did not want all of the attention. He smiled, shook his head and redirected the recognition toward a teammate.

That player was Mookie Betts.

According to Lauer, if one player had to represent the entire three game series against Kansas City, he believed Betts was the one who truly deserved the recognition.

That judgment was based on far more than one moment.

Betts entered the series surrounded by major questions about his form after a difficult stretch at the plate, but what happened against the Royals looked like the beginning of a resurgence.

In the second game, Betts recorded 3 hits, including a home run, a double and a crucial game tying single in the eighth inning.

One night later, he went 2 for 3 with a walk, while also hitting a solo home run in the second inning to bring the Dodgers back into a 1–1 tie.

It was a home run in two consecutive games for Betts, an especially important sign for Los Angeles as the season entered a decisive stretch.

Lauer said: “I appreciate it, but if we’re talking about the MVP of the entire series, look at my captain. He gave us energy, delivered big hits and showed up exactly when the team needed him most. I just did my job tonight. In my opinion, that recognition belongs to him.”

Those words quickly became one of the most notable moments after the game.

Lauer had just delivered one of his most important starts in a Dodgers uniform, but instead of turning the night into a personal story, he chose to emphasize the contribution of his teammate.

Betts has long owned one of the most impressive résumés of his generation, with an MVP award, multiple All Star selections, multiple Gold Gloves, Silver Slugger honors and multiple World Series championships.

But his value to the Dodgers goes far beyond a list of awards.

When Los Angeles returned home after a 1–5 road trip and having lost eight of nine games, the team needed a strong response.

They got exactly that with a sweep. Shohei Ohtani, Hunter Feduccia, Lauer and Landon Knack all made important contributions in the final game.

But for Lauer, Betts was the clearest representation of the energy shift that defined the entire series.