Meanwhile, in Denver....

The Rockies are waiting for the World Series.

Hurdle blocks distractions; Cook throwing simulated game

Manager Clint Hurdle insists he hasn’t allowed himself to think of the possibility. With a win tonight, his team goes to the World Series. He has shut off his cell phone for much of the last few days, and limited his contact with public. But he hasn’t sealed himself off entirely. His neighbors strung balloons at the mouth of the cul-de-sac, which were in place when he woke up around 6 a.m.

“It wasn’t as many balloons as we had on the field here the other night but it was close,’’ Hurdle said.

The Rockies are grateful to a former Beloit Snapper for their current position.

Give Gwynn Jr. seat in Rox hall of heroes

Part of the charm of the Rockies' run is that it lacks simplicity. There have been so many contributors, so many improbable chapters.

It is a story of moshpits, big hits, miracles and Sophocles. Yes, Sophocles.

While there have been many moments responsible for the Rockies playing tonight, hosting their first National League Championship Series game at Coors Field, what happened on Sept. 29 in Milwaukee is why this dream lives on.

If you are looking for tickets, good luck...

Series Tix: That'll cost you

Psst!

Wanna get a World Series ticket before the big Monday morning online free-for-all? Well, you can - if you raid the kids' college fund and eat ramen noodles until Easter.

Days before World Series seats at Coors Field go on sale to the general public, ticket brokers and "marketplaces" such as StubHub and TicketsNow are already offering spots at the big games. The prices, though, range from about $400 for a Rockpile seat - which is a $65 face value for the World Series and a $4 ticket during the regular season - to nearly $6,000 for the best seats.

Or, you could try the library.

Libraries assist in ticket fervor

Ten Denver Public Library branches will open early Monday morning to give Colorado Rockies fans on the hunt for World Series tickets enough time to get online.

The online-only ticket sale begins promptly at 10 a.m. Monday at coloradorockies.com. Seats are expected to go quickly, meaning those without Internet access who had hoped to use their library's would have had a tough time if they opened at their usual time, also 10 a.m.

Now, that is team spirit.