Dodgers star backstop left out of lineup for NLDS Game 1 vs. Phillies

Saturday's Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers should be exciting, especially with the MVP front-runner for the National League, Shohei Ohtani, making his first career playoff start. 

Both rosters feature stars, such as Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber for the Phillies and Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman for the Dodgers, who have the potential to make a big play or have an impactful at-bat that could decide the series. Equal at virtually every position, the Phillies have the advantage at catcher, with Dodgers catcher Will Smith not in the lineup for Game 1 due to his hand injury despite making the roster. 

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith out of lineup with nagging hand injury

Smith has been on the injured list with a hairline fracture in his hand but was on the Dodgers roster for the wild-card round. Still recovering from the injury, the Dodgers chose to keep Smith on the roster for the division series but not include him in the starting lineup for Game 1. 

According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, Smith said he is almost back to 100% and would be available Saturday to come off the bench to catch if necessary.

Before suffering his hand injury, Smith had been his usual self, making his third straight All-Star team and hitting a career-high .296 with 17 home runs, 61 RBI and a career-high OPS of .901 in 110 games (101 behind the plate).