ALDS Game 5 schedule change is bad news for Tigers after Kerry Carpenter injury update

Tigers fans will need to adjust their plans for Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Due to incoming stormy weather, the start time for Saturday's matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians has been moved up seven hours.

Initially slated to begin at 8:08 p.m. ET, Game 5 of the ALDS will now start at 1:08 p.m. ET. There's inclement weather headed for northeast Ohio, and rather risk postponing or delaying the game, Major League Baseball has decided to change the start time altogether. The forecast calls for cloudy conditions in the afternoon to eventually give way to rain as evening approaches.

Start time change for Tigers-Guardians will not help get Kerry Carpenter back on the field for Game 5 of the ALDS

This new start time is not good news for Tigers fans who were hoping to see Kerry Carpenter return to the lineup for Game 5 of the ALDS. The Tigers' slugger came up lame while rounding third base in the bottom of the sixth inning. After scoring a run, Carpenter was pulled from the game and diagnosed with a hamstring injury.

The extent of Carpenter's injury hasn't been divulged, and Tigers' manager A.J. Hinch left the door cracked open for 27-year-old to return. Hinch said that Carpenter is being treated for the injury and will be a game-time decision on Saturday. Well, moving the start time from late evening to early afternoon is not going to help Carpenter get back onto the field, that's for sure.

If the Tigers must move forward without Carpenter, they have Bligh Madris standing by on the Taxi Squad and Jace Jung prepared to move into the lineup, as he did late on Thursday. While that's definitely not a comfort for Tigers' fans, it's about the best Detroit can put forth given the circumstances.

Another injury made waves following Game 4 as well. In addition to Carpenter, the Tigers may be without catcher Jake Rogers.

The one saving grace for the Tigers is that Tarik Skubal will be on the mound. Given how well the southpaw has pitched of late, one run might be enough to send Detroit to the ALCS to face the New York Yankees.

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