Yanks to play two afternoon games during ALCS

Although it’ll be another six hours or so until the Yankees know their American League Championship Series opponents, Major League Baseball has officially unveiled the TV schedule for the upcoming playoff series. While rumors of day games emerged earlier today, thanks to Stephen R. on Twitter, we can now confirm that the Yankees will play at least one and possibly two day games during the ALCS. All games are on TBS with Ernie Johnson, John Smoltz and Ron Darling in the booth, and all times are Eastern. The best-of-seven slate looks a little something like this:

Game 1: Friday, October 15 at 8:07 p.m. at TEX/TB
Game 2: Saturday, October 16 at 4:07 p.m. at TEX/TB
Game 3: Monday, October 18 at 8:07 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
Game 4: Tuesday, October 19 at 8:07 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
Game 5: Wednesday, October 20 at 4:07 p.m. at Yankee Stadium*
Game 6: Friday, October 22 at 8:07 p.m. at TEX/TB*
Game 7: Saturday, October 23 at 8:07 p.m. at TEX/TB*

*If necessary

Some Yankee fans stuck at work next Wednesday are bound to bemoan the early start time, but this isn’t the first time the Yanks have played an afternoon ALCS game. In fact, Game 5 of the 2003 ALCS against Boston started at 3:05 p.m. on a Tuesday. Although we’d prefer night games for the Yanks, because of the overlapping NLCS schedule, Major League Baseball has scheduled some AL day games to accomodate fans of the San Francisco Giants. I can respect that.

And if you’re looking for seats on the secondary market for any of the games in the Bronx, be sure to check out RAB Tickets.