Game 159 Open Thread: Indians at Detroit Postponed

The authorities in Michigan finally realized what anyone with a weather app could have concluded five hours ago.

The Indians will play Detroit on Monday if the Tigers still have a chance for the Wild Card spot.

Below is a preview to what never happened.

MLB Network showed a steady rain filling the tarpaulin puddles at 11:08 a.m.
We have a new Magic Number. 11 games are needed to win the World Series.

The lineups were posted late but the fact they got up at all is a good sign we might see a game today.

There will be some batters struggling to figure out unfamiliar pitchers today. None of the Tigers have faced Merritt in the majors and the entire Indians lineup has 42 at bats versus Morris.

This is Merritt’s first major-league start after three games out of the Indians bullpen earlier this season. He was a regular in the Columbus Clippers’ rotation earlier. He had a 3.70 ERA in 24 starts. He had 156 hits and only 92 strikeouts in 143 innings with Columbus. He was ranked as the Indians 22nd prospect by Baseball America.
“Merritt doesn’t have overpowering stuff, relying instead on his command and feel for pitching to get out,” BA’s Teddy Cahill wrote.
The Weather Channel is predicting rain for the rest of the day but don’t be surprised if there are multiple delays or perhaps one long wait. If this game isn’t played today, it might need to be played Monday, which could shake up the Indians’ playoff plans. The Tigers (85-73) remain in the race for a Wild Card spot, trailing Baltimore (86-72) by one game for the last spot. Toronto is 87-71. Those three teams all have four games remaining.