No matter who wins the other NLDS series, currently tied at 1 between Colorado and Philadelphia, the Dodgers are going to have to wait until Thursday night to start playing again. But who do we want to see coming to Los Angeles? Lets look at the important reasons to decide:

2009 HISTORY

Big, big point in Colorado’s favor here. The Dodgers smoked the Rockies all season long, winning 14 of 18 and outscoring them 105-63. Meanwhile, the Dodgers beat the Phillies 4-3 and outscored them by one run.

VENGEANCE

Is there anyone who doesn’t want to pay back the Phillies for their 2008 NLCS victory? Granted, the Rockies are probably feeling that way about wanting to get another crack at the Dodgers for the 2009 smackdown that was laid upon them, but this is about the Dodgers. The only thing that could make a World Series sweeter is going through the team that knocked you out the previous year to get there.

POTENTIAL FOR EMBARRASSMENT

It’d suck to have the Phillies go through LA to make it to the World Series two years in a row, no doubt. On the other hand, I’d probably kill myself if I had to see Jim Tracy celebrating a World Series trip at Dodger Stadium. The easy solution here is, of course, don’t lose.

NATIONAL VISIBILITY

With the Angels having already won their series, and the Yankees likely to finish off the Twins today or tomorrow, the ALCS is going to be a big-time matchup between America’s two biggest population centers and two very talented teams. Now which NLCS series do you think will capture the nation’s attention more – the Dodgers against the defending World Series champions, who hail from the East Coast and have been in existence for over 100 years? Or the Dodgers against the Rocky Mountain Wild Card team who got destroyed in their only World Series appearance, and who most Americans couldn’t name a single player from?

WHAT ABOUT FORMER DODGERS?

The Rockies have just one former Dodger, fan favorite Joe Beimel. If they move on, he’s someone you can feel good about rooting for.

The Phillies? Well, they have Jayson Werth, who accused Dodger doctors of misdiagnosing his wrist injury. Shane Victorino, who the Dodgers lost in the Rule 5 draft – twice. Chase Utley, who was originally drafted by the Dodgers but declined to sign. Paul Bako, who – while he only appeared in 13 games – is forever besmirched by being a part of the dreadful 2005 Dodgers. (And, somehow engendered enough ill will in 370 at-bats for the 2003-04 Cubs, and two months of spring ball this year, that he inspired the website www.blamepaulbako.com). Chan Ho Park, who spurned the Dodgers for promises of a starting job in Philly last offseason despite our warnings that he would absolutely fail – which he did.

Oh, and that other guy. Ramon Martinez’ brother, whats-his-name. He’s there too.

Big win for the Rockies in this category.

WEATHER

Courtesy of Sons of Steve Garvey, here’s what Coors Field looks like these days (at right). The forecast for Game 3 tonight, postponed from yesterday, is 35 degrees, Are these any conditions in which to play championship baseball? Even worse, Colorado could concievably have two more playoff series ahead of them. Imagine what that could look like if they’re in the World Series in the first week of November? No thanks.

VERDICT

Jokes aside, as a baseball fan I asbolutely want to see Philadelphia win. I want to avoid the snow of Denver. I want to see a series that the country will actually pay attention to. I want to take advantage of all the reasons I said I was hoping to see the Phillies for in the NLDS, and I want to pay them back for dumping the Dodgers so badly in the NLCS last year. Plus, the added bonus for me that there’s a slight chance I could make it to one of the games. Dodgers/Phillies is the series I prefer to watch.

But as far as which opponent is going to be easier for the Dodgers to get to the World Series against, that has to be Colorado. The Dodgers have owned them all year, and the Rockies are having a ton of starting rotation issues of their own. It won’t be as much fun, but it’s the way to go if the goal is to see the Dodgers seeing the World Series – not, of course, that I don’t think the Dodgers could handle the Phillies as well.

Man, Thursday seems far away.