Photo by BrianMKA

>> Heads up: Tickets for possible National League Championship Series games go on sale today at 9 a.m. You can buy two tickets here or by calling 888-632-NATS.

>> Today at 1 p.m. the Nats will take the field for Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals—the first postseason game in Washington in 79 years. While the Washington Times reports on the work that has gone into preparing Nationals Park for the game—new on-field stencils, increased TV and fiber-optic capacity, additional carpet and plastic to guard against celebratory beer and champagne—the Examiner writes that city officials and economists are expecting a big revenue boost for the city during the games, especially from the sale of merchandise and spending at bars and restaurants. For its part, the Post reports that various streets around the stadium will be closed as of 7 a.m.

>> Inauguration Day means lots of people coming into D.C., and Metro wants to make sure that it gets as much money out of the them as possible. The Examiner reports that Metro wants to charge peak fares for the January 21 inauguration, despite the fact that it falls on a holiday that would otherwise offer riders free parking and discounted trips. That’s the same approach the transit agency took for President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, when 1.5 million trips on trains and buses were recorded.

>> A former campaign associate to Mayor Vince Gray is set to be sentenced today for lying to investigators about illegal payments to a third candidate, writes WJLA. Howard Brooks won’t likely face any jail time due to extensive cooperation with prosecutors, but his sentencing once again throws light on the unresolved investigation into Gray’s 2010 mayoral campaign.

Briefly Noted: D.C. CFO to face questions from legislators today … Outside groups fight for and against marriage equality in Maryland … Former Ehrlich ally campaigns for same-sex marriage … Memo to travelers: TSA won’t let you on a plane with four ounces of liquid or a handgun … Maryland teen attacked by bullies before TV interview on bullying … Virginia reporter died from gunshot to the neck.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, someone ate two gallons of Ben Chili Bowl chili and D.C. saw the emergence of two Occupy encampments. In 2010 we spoke to D.C. political consultant Chuck Thies.