Game 1 of Tigers-Yankees put on hold due to rain

Ever since the regular season ended, the main event of the playoffs was the matchup between Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia. After one inning of play, fans will have to wait until the next day for the finale.

Game 1 of the American League Division Series between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees was rained out and will resume Saturday night at 8:30 at Yankee Stadium.

According to a rule adopted by Major League Baseball two years ago, the game is not postponed. Instead, it will pick up Saturday at the point of suspension — weather permitting — with the Yankees coming to bat in the second inning. The forecast calls for rain through late Saturday night.

For the moment, that pushes back Game 2 of the series to 3 p.m. Sunday, which was originally scheduled as a travel day. Game 3 is still scheduled for Monday night at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Game 1 was halted in the middle of the second inning with the game tied at one. Tigers ace Justin Verlander threw 25 pitches and Yankees star CC Sabathia threw 27. Detroit will send Doug Fister out to the mound Saturday night. Max Scherzer, originally scheduled to pitch Game 3 in Detroit, will now start Sunday's Game 2 in New York. Verlander will start Game 3 at Comerica Park. Rick Porcello will go in Game 4 and Fister is slated to start Game 5.

Delmon Young homered for the Tigers and Alex Rodriguez had an RBI groundout, both in the first inning. All statistics from Friday night will count.




Making only his second major league start, 22-year-old rookie Matt Moore pitched a two-hitter and left with a huge lead Friday as the improbable Tampa Bay Rays opened the ALDS with a 9-0 beatdown of the defending AL champion Texas Rangers.

Kelly Shoppach homered twice and drove in five runs. Johnny Damon also homered as Tampa Bay dominated the whole way behind Moore. Moore began this best-of-five matchup by striking out six and walking two against the AL’s top-hitting team.

With a 1-0 lead, Tampa Bay will play the Rangers for Game 2 in Arlington at 7 pm.