MLB Playoff Schedule 2012: Updated NLCS and ALCS Start Times and Dates

Mother nature decided to wreak havoc on both the National League and American League Championship Series on Wednesday night. 

The good news for Major League Baseball is that the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals were well underway and just had to wait for enough of a break in the rain to squeeze in the last 10 outs. 

The New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers were not so fortunate. It didn't actually rain when the game was delayed, but there was a huge cell moving towards Detroit that eventually hit after things were postponed. 

With the chaos of Wednesday behind us, here is a look at the updated schedules for both series and a few other notes worth paying attention to. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME	DATE, START TIME	PROBABLES
Game 4: San Francisco at St. Louis	Thu. Oct. 18, 8:07 p.m.	Lincecum vs. Wainwright
Game 5: San Francisco at St. Louis	Fri. Oct 19, 8:07 p.m.	TBD vs. TBD
*Game 6: St. Louis at San Francisco	Sun. Oct 21, 4:30 p.m.	TBD vs TBD
*Game 7: St. Louis at San Francisco	Mon. Oct. 22, 8:07 p.m.	TBD vs. TBD

All start times listed in ET. All games broadcast on Fox

*If Necessary

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME	DATE, START TIME	PROBABLES
Game 4: New York at Detroit	Thu. Oct. 18, 4:07 p.m.	Sabathia vs. Scherzer
*Game 5: New York at Detroit	Fri. Oct 19, TBD	Pettitte vs. Fister
*Game 6: Detroit at New York	Sat. Oct. 20, 8:07 p.m.	TBD vs. TBD
*Game 7: Detroit at New York	Sun. Oct 21, 8:07 p.m.	TBD vs. TBD

All games broadcast on TBS

*If Necessary

Weather Outlook

Since the weather in the midwest has not really let up since last night, it is important to see what is on the horizon for St. Louis and Detroit the next couple of nights. 

According to the Weather Channel, Detroit is looking at rain on Thursday morning that will give way to cloudiness in the afternoon and evening. Friday has a 50-percent chance of rain in the evening. 

St. Louis is also looking at some rain on Thursday, particularly in the evening. There is a 50 percent chance of showers tonight. Friday calls for "showers early becoming less numerous later in the day."

Nothing like the term "less numerous" to make you feel good about keeping things relatively dry in St. Louis. 

How Weather Changed ALCS

To me, the ALCS was not really changed all that much because it is hard to envision the Yankees even making this a series. 

However, should the Yankees make it all the way to Game 7, the biggest change will be that they won't have C.C. Sabathia on the mound. Since they lost the off day between Game 5 and 6, the former Cy Young winner would only have two days of rest before a potential Game 7. 

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