Game 1: Cold wind and snow

Just got word on a rather ominous weather report for this weekend in Denver. Apparently, Game 3 very well could be snowed out, which would push the series back a whole day and eliminate the travel day back to Philadelphia if a Game 5 is needed. It also means the Phillies could get by with just a three-man pitching rotation and perhaps could throw three lefties at the Rockies in Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ.

But before we all go changing our flight schedules and get caught making snow angels in Denver, let it be known that predicting the weather in Colorado is a fool’s game. Sure, some folks are calling for a big snowstorm this weekend, but others, like the most-reputable Accuweather have nighttime snow showers and cold, cold temperatures for Saturday.

In other words, not Pedro weather.

Besides, there is no sense predicting the weather in Colorado. I remember a time a few years ago when my wife and I went for a drive in the mountains in which we passed through patterns ranging from 85-degrees and sunshine to sleet and hail and snow all within 30 minutes.

So it might snow in Denver this weekend, but then again, it might not snow that badly. Either way, it’s going to much colder than folks are used to in early October. Better yet, it won’t be baseball weather—that’s for sure.

I’m not sure if we’re getting ready for baseball weather here in Philadelphia, either. It’s damn near gale force winds pushing straight out to right field here at the Bank. In fact, the flags are standing straight up with clichéd waves as if direct from a movie set.

However, Phils’ right fielder Raul Ibanez reported that he did not have any difficulty tracking fly balls during batting practice. From this vantage point, the wind does not appear to be swirling. It’s just headed straight out to right field.

If someone like Ryan Howard gets ahold of one and puts it in that air pocket, it might crash down in Fishtown.

Setting a course

A few industrious types learned that Wednesday’s opener of the NLDS would be at the Bank at 3:30 p.m. and that all of the games of the series would start during the daytime hours. That was wrong.

Instead, the first two games of the series (set for Wednesday and Thursday) will begin at 3 p.m. After a travel day on Friday, the series will shift to either Petco Park in San Diego or Coors Field in Denver for a 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time start. If Game 4 is necessary, it will occur at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday night from either Coors or Petco.

The deciding Game 5 (if needed), will be in Philadelphia next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

All of the games will be broadcast on television on TBS with Don Orsillo, and Joe Simpson calling the action from the booth, while the Inquirer’s David Aldridge offers insight as the field reporter.

Not exactly Howard and Dandy Don in the booth, but whatever... it's just the NLDS.

What’s going to happen? About a month-and-a-half ago I thought the Padres had a really good chance to come out of the National League and go to the World Series. The Padres’ pitching, as I noted, was simply too good.

But even the Padres can’t win games 1-0. The team’s offense, simply, is a problem. Against a streaking club like the Rockies (winners of 12 of their last 13) the Padres, Phillies, Cubs or Diamondbacks could be given fits. Since the wild card was instituted, the streaking team has gone all the way a few times. I’m sure Phillies fans remember those 2003 Florida Marlins.

This time of year the philosophy is easy to understand. As Aaron Rowand said the other day (and I keep using incessantly), if you win you get to keep playing.

Nonetheless, I won’t be surprised if the Phillies get swept in the first round or go all the way to the World Series.

Phillies vs. Yankees in the World Series? Diamondbacks vs. Red Sox? Does anyone think the Cubs have a chance?

*** I noticed that the fans at Coors are chanting, “M-V-P!” whenever Matt Holliday comes to the plate. Little do the fans know, but the BBWAA ballots were due in last night… it seems as if Holliday will finish in the top two in the balloting.

Hamels in Game 1 I’m not sure if it’s official, but after Sunday’s clincher I asked Cole Hamels what it would mean to him to get the ball in Game 1 of the NLDS. In his excitement, he just kind of said some stuff about being “excited” and that he’s “ready to go.” Plus, the ink on my notebook ran and smeared because of the champagne and beer that soaked it during the post-game events yesterday.

However, there is one sentence that is clear and very decipherable beneath the Hamels notation in my book:

“I can’t wait to get started.”

Which one? Coors or Petco? The only Major League Baseball game my 3-year old son ever attended was at Coors Field during the 2005 season. I mixed a little pleasure with some trade-deadline action that trip and can vividly recall Charlie Manuel sitting in the visitors’ dugout before the game and telling stories about how he had to kill snakes along with some other country life vs. nature tales.

I was riveted by Charlie’s stories because despite coming from Lancaster, Pa., I am about as urban/suburban as it gets. Rugged for me is starting the lawn mower without putting on a pair of thick, leather "work" gloves.

As such, we get out to Colorado as much as possible. If I won the Powerball today, I would be on a plane headed for Denver and Estes Park tomorrow.

But I’ve never been to San Diego. In fact, people tell me it’s heaven on earth. Every day the weather is a perfect 70 degrees and everyone is happy and pleasant all day long. Though the German’s called it San Diego and scholars are unsure what the word means, it is doubtful that the name will be changed to Xanadu.

It would be neat to see if all the stories are true.

Stay classy.

Step right up and beat the Mets Piling on is just mean. That’s why I’m not going to add anymore cheap shots to the barrage the Mets and their fans are taking right now. That just ain’t cool. Besides, from the sounds of things, the Mets are taking a beating from all of the vultures in the NYC press.

Nonetheless, Mets’ GM Omar Minaya issued an apology to the fans, today. That’s nice, but it doesn’t get the team an extra game in the standings.

An interesting thing regarding the Mets is what is going to become of Tom Glavine now that he is a free agent. Remember when Glavine considered signing with the Phillies or the Mets a few years back? As I recall, Glavine chose the Mets because he didn’t think he would fit in with all the young players in Philadelphia… seems to me that 44-year old family man Jamie Moyer figured out how to fit in just fine.

Nevertheless, if yesterday was Glavine’s last game for the Mets, it was a rotten way to go out.