The Philadelphia Phillies pair off against the Colorado Rockies today at 2:37 pm EDT to begin their bid to win back to back World Series. This creates an interesting match because the last time these teams played the winner, not the Phillies, made it all the way to the World Series, where they lost to Boston Red Sox in a demeaning fashion. As your calling out sick, updating ESPN feverishly, or scouring twitter for updates (while you’re there make sure that you’re following Hot Stove Philly). Here are some things to watch for during the game:

Your Boss/Manager: It’s unlikely that your relationship with your superior will have any effect on the outcome of the game unless you’re answering to Charlie Manuel. This does not mean you should ignore the likely ire that your watching baseball during work will ignite! This is the first game in a long play off that is becoming infamous for oddly timed games, largely blamed on Baseball’s waning audience; you don’t want to get caught on first day. I recommend caution, especially if you’re watching the game from the office. Have some work prepared in case you need easy cover and head phones are always helpful. If anyone is around make sure not to visually or audibly react, unless you’re a stock trader. In this case simply say that the market can be a fickle bitch and move on.

Home-Field Advantage: Granted the Phillies have it, but in a short series you never know. Especially when for a large part of the season they were better on the road than in Citizen’s Bank Park. However, Coors Field is notoriously difficult to play in due to factors like altitude and just the shear noise of “Rocktober”. Players have been exhausted after games. Both stadiums will be loud and deadly. The Phils are most likely to break the Home-Field Advantage stalemate, given their road record and success against Colorado this year.

The Rockies Uniforms: Scouting reports say that they look like their attending an ‘80’s party at a disco tech, or possibly trying to make an ironic statement about inner worth. Regardless of why, reports coming out of Colorado peg them as hideous. Look for these uniforms to be visually offensive. You can expect to be angry that the Phils’ uniforms are a very dapper red and white stripe number and it looks like we’re playing the Emo Kid version of the Bad News Bears. This could amplify any anger you feel towards any loses or bad plays.

Pitching: I’m going to acquiesce to Tim Kurkjian on the comparative strength of the two lines-ups. I will say that Ole’ Charlie loves to anger Cole Hamels, by having him play second fiddle in the rotation. It’s worked before and for a hitting coach he seems to get most out of his pitchers. Pitching in this series should be interesting to the common fan because each pitching staff could get shelled early and often. Both of these teams have homerun hitters in home run parks. This shouldn’t be a pitchers duel. Expect the play-off ERA of the winning team to sky-rocket. The winning team is going to have the pitching staff that is able to stem the bleeding best. Don’t be surprised to see Hamel’s “lose control” of his fast ball early in the first and send a few fast balls sailing towards the Phillies Dugout into the chest protector of the Phils’ skipper.

Jayson Werth: Sources in the Phillies organization point to Werth as the MVP when it comes to the fairer sex. It’s projected that he’ll dazzle female Phillies and Rockies fans alike with his piercing brown eyes rugged looks and all around athleticism. At press time it’s unclear what effect spelling his name with a “y” is going to have. The real disadvantage here is to you. Not only are you rooting on a man that could easily steal you’re significant other, you’re ignoring her in order to do it. Expect her to expect you to buy her flowers or watch “The Hills”. My prediction is the flowers might be best option in this situation.

Series Prediction: Phillies are playing well and while the pitching staff for the Rockies has more 10 game winners, the play-offs are all about who’s hot now. Expect this theme throughout the play-offs this year: Playing in a park like this with an offense like that means you’re team is never out of it. I’ll take Phightin’s in four.