Tigers vs. Yankees: Rain Postponement Tilts ALDS in Detroit's Favor

The torrential downpour that struck New York on Friday night did more than postpone Game 1 of the ALDS between the Yankees and the Tigers. It did more than wash out a Cy Young-caliber pitching matchup between CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander.

It swung the series in Detroit's favor, however slightly, with, well, baseball-like subtlety.

On the surface, the Yankees would seem to be the biggest beneficiaries of the weather delay. For one, they won't have to worry about facing Verlander, the best pitcher in the American League this season, until Game 3. Without Verlander in the way, the Bronx Bombers would presumably be able to exercise their home-field advantage at Yankee Stadium with less impediment.

And, with Verlander pushed back to Game 3, the only way the Tigers would get their ace on the mound twice is if the series went the distance.

Also, New York's pitching switch from the left-handed Sabathia to the right-handed Ivan Nova puts Jim Leyland's lineup in a tough spot. Chances are, he'd prefer switch hitters Wilson Betemit and Ramon Santiago at third base and second base, respectively, rather than righties Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn. However, he, like any good manager, wouldn't be inclined to burn up his bench in the second inning of any game, especially one of such import as the first game of a playoff series.

As for Nova, he's about as hot as any pitcher coming into the postseason, with wins in each of his last 12 decisions.

So how, pray tell, are the Tigers now in the driver's seat?

For one, it swings the Game 1 pitching matchup in Detroit's favor.

Not dramatically, seeing as how Doug Fister has as much postseason experience as does Nova (none). Nonetheless, Fister has been arguably the hottest pitcher in all of baseball since the Tigers brought him in from Seattle, notching eight wins in 10 starts thanks to an earned-run average of 1.79 and a WHIP of 0.84.

Assuming Fister can keep up that pace to some extent tonight, his Tigers should be in position to come away with that all-important 1-0 series advantage as well as the home-field edge for the rest of the series.

Thus, regardless of what happens in Game 2, when Max Scherzer takes the mound against Freddy Garcia, the Tigers would return home to Comerica Park with the ball in Verlander's hand, ready to either give Detroit a 2-1 series advantage or close out a clean sweep of the Pinstripers.

The extra time off should do wonders for Verlander, who didn't look sharp in the one inning he pitched on Friday. Sure, he was lighting up the speed gun as he always does, clocking in at 98 and 99 miles per hour on several occasions, but he was anything but accurate. He threw a hefty 25 pitches in that first inning, giving up two walks and a run on a sacrifice fly. He'll have a shot at a mulligan in Game 3, with even more riding on his performance than before.

In reality, the rain doesn't help Detroit that much, especially if the Tigers don't manage to pull out at least one win from the first two games.

But if Fister comes through with a Verlander-like performance and puts the Tigers ahead in the series, folks in the Motor City just might be praying for more rain to fall.

Follow @J0shMart1n