Hi everyone -- it's been a while since we last spoke, but I'm coming back at you from Boston and plan to post updates and commentary throughout the World Series. First things first: I'll be holding a live chat this afternoon at 2 p.m. Feel free to send me questions about the upcoming series, the Nats and what life is like covering the postseason (not as glamorous as you think).

Until then, here are some quick thoughts heading into Game 1...

-- The Rockies do actually have a chance to win this thing. I know all the attention is on Boston, but in typing out a side-by-side comparison of the two squads yesterday for our World Series preview, I was struck by how evenly matched they actually are. My feeling all along was that the Red Sox's rotation depth would ultimately be the difference in the series. But as I examined it yesterday, with Tim Wakefield out with a bum shoulder and Daisuke Matsuzaka very much an unknown quantity, I started to think the disparity may not be that great. Colorado still doesn't have an ace to match up with Josh Beckett (sorry, Jeff Francis fans) and Clint Hurdle will have to get something out Games 3 and 4 starters Josh Fogg and Aaron Cook. But I don't think the pitching needle tips that far toward Boston's side.

-- It's not going to be nearly as cold or snowy in this series as everyone thought. The forecast for both Boston and Denver for the next week calls for highs in the 50s-60s and lows in the 40s. No snow expected. It is raining today in Boston, but it's expected to clear up by gametime.

-- Fenway Park, while still one of the greatest ballparks in the world, isn't exactly the greatest place to hold a World Series. Between the cramped clubhouses, concourses and press box, it's going to be a tight squeeze during this series. My press box seat includes a partial view of the field, though not all of it, and requires my laptop screen to be in the down position to have any chance of seeing the mound and batter's box. And my seat is hardly the worst in the box. Let's just say we're very much looking forward to shifting to spacious Coors Field this weekend.

-- First pitch tonight is at 8:35 p.m. No game is scheduled to start before 8:29 p.m., and Game 5 in Denver is slated for 8:40 p.m. Start loading up on coffee now.

See you at 2 p.m. for the live chat...

Here's some nice news to kick off the Nationals' offseason: Dmitri Young has been named the NL Comeback Player of the Year.

What a fitting conclusion to a remarkable season for Dmitri, who overcame so much -- substance abuse, legal troubles, diabetes -- to have the best season of his career. I can't help but think back to the day he arrived in Viera, overweight, messy hair, wearing a bright orange "Sanford and Son" T-shirt. I will admit that my first thought was: "There's no way this guy should be playing baseball right now!" Boy, was I wrong.

Dmitri didn't just get his life back in order and play outstanding baseball, he became the leader of the Nationals' clubhouse. Having now covered him for eight months, I can say he is genuinely one of the nicest, most-caring professional athletes around. He can be both deadly serious and hysterically funny, often within the span of a few minutes.

Congrats to Dmitri for this truly deserving award. He's due to speak to reporters this afternoon at RFK, so there will be plenty more from the man shortly.

(And on an aside, who watched last night's thriller at Coors Field? How about that Jamey Carroll, huh? One of the greatest finishes to a ballgame I've ever seen. But was it legit? Did Matt Holliday actually touch home plate? Let the debate begin!")