"Step aside, Mike Hargrove. Justin Verlander is the new "Human Rain Delay." This time, though, he actually brings the rain.

"If anywhere in the country has a drought, you can bring me in ..." Verlander quipped.

For the second straight series, any advantage that Detroit had with its dominating ace Verlander was washed away in Game 1 rain delays.

Verlander pitched only one inning in an eventual Game 1 loss to the New York Yankees in the ALDS, a game suspended by rain to the following day.

Much like in his first ALDS start, Verlander -- who won the AL pitching triple crown this year, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250) and ERA (2.40) -- didn't have his best stuff.

He managed four innings in the twice-delayed 3-2 loss to the Rangers, surrendering five hits and three earned runs, throwing 49 strikes in his 82 pitches."