As we wind our way to Wednesday’s opening game of the NLDS series between the Phillies and Rockies, every angle regarding the series will be explored.

Will the Phils be motivated a little extra by the chance at revenge after being swept by the Rockies in the 2007 NLDS?

Who is going to make the postseason roster? Myers? Walker? Bruntlett? Lidge?

How will Charlie handle the back end of the ‘pen? Will he trust Brad Lidge to hold a one-run lead in the 9th inning? It is coincidence, or something else, that Brad Lidge blew just one save at home in 2009, but 10 on the road?

Will Jorge De La Rosa be ready to pitch by Game 3? Will it even matter at that point?

All of these are valid questions, and these and many more will play a part in determining which team heads to the NLCS.

But above all of these concerns, and those revolving the health of the bullpen and Chae Utley’s slump, is whether or not Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels can pitch their “A” games in Games 1 and 2.

If Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee pitch like they are capable of, this series is OVER and the Phils move a step closer to repeating. If Cliff and Cole resemble the worst parts of themselves, or even their mediocre alter-egos, this series could be a painful slog toward elimination.

The Phils should be able to score runs off of the Rockies pitchers. There is little reason to believe they won’t. But how will the Phillies two aces handle a Rockie’s lineup that has been less than robust against lefthanded pitchers. Cole Hamels performs best when under pressure and under the lights. Cliff Lee came to the Phillies amid high expectations and delivered 5 epic performances before free-falling back to earth. Can he locate his pitches again and return to his August form?

When they are at their best, the Rockies have no counterattack in the form of starting pitchers, and the Rockies hitters might as well be swinging tennis rackets.

Which aces show up? When we know that, we’ll probably know who wins the series.