MLB Playoff Schedule 2012: Updated Dates, Times and Potential Pitching Matchups

Nature played a major role in Wednesday night's baseball action, postponing Game 4 of the ALCS and forcing a three-hour, 28-minute rain delay in the NLCS.

Because the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals were able to get their game in, the National League schedule remains the same.

The New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers weren't as lucky. Wednesday night's postponement forces the two squads to (potentially) face off for four days straight.

Schedule changes can be tough to keep track of, and you don't want to miss a single out of this year's unpredictable postseason.

Let's make sure you're up to speed, beginning with the remaining ALCS schedule.

*For full schedule, click here

*All times ET

Game	Date and Time	TV	Potential Pitching Matchup
Game 4	Thursday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.	TBS	CC Sabathia (NY) vs. Max Scherzer (DET)
Game 5	Friday, Oct. 19 at TBA	TBS	Andy Pettitte (NY) vs. Doug Fister (DET)
Game 6	Saturday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m.	TBS	Anibal Sanchez (DET) vs. Hiroki Kuroda (NY)
Game 7	Sunday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m.	TBS	TBA

Now, for the NLCS slate.

Game	Date and Time	TV	Potential Pitching Matchup
Game 4	Thursday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m.	FOX	Tim Lincecum (SF) vs. Adam Wainwright (STL)
Game 5	Friday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.	FOX	Barry Zito (SF) vs. Lance Lynn (STL)
Game 6	Sunday, Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m.	FOX	Chris Carpenter (STL) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (SF)
Game 7	Monday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.	FOX	Kyle Lohse (STL) vs. Matt Cain (SF)

Each Game 4 presents an interesting storyline regarding pitchers.

Because the Yankees and Tigers no longer have their off-day, pitching rotations will shuffle.

CBS reporter Jon Heyman tweeted how this will potentially impact the Yankees:

"

#yanks lose offday with rainout. so cc wont be able to start game 7 in addition to 4. #whenitrainsitpours

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 18, 2012"

If the series gets that far, that's huge. With Sabathia being unavailable, it's hard to tell who would throw that decisive Game 7. What is certain is that it won't be the Yankees' ace, presenting an uphill battle.

As far as the Giants and Cardinals go, Game 4 is extremely intriguing. Tim Lincecum got lit up throughout the regular season, but has been very good in relief so far this postseason.

Now, with a potential two-game deficit looming, Lincecum will have to find his stuff as a starter.

He will face Adam Wainwright, who is coming off a terrible start in the NLDS. Allowing six runs in 2.1 innings versus the Nationals will either motivate Wainwright to pitch better on Thursday, or he will continue to struggle.

Tune in to the remaining games as we inch closer to the World Series. If previously completed games are any indication, we're heading for quite the finish.