News flash, Detroit tends to be cold this time of year. Right now it is 50 degrees and it is expected to be 46 by the time the game starts. Tomorrows forecast is similar and Monday it will be about 5 degrees less. So, that will certainly impact play this weekend but it will impact both teams. I don't really see it as a big advantage for either side. A lot will be made of it by the media but it is something that none of these players are particularly used to. It is cold and baseball is more of a summer game.
From the pitching side of things, the thing they will worry about the most is their grip. The cold, dry temperature could make it difficult for both sides and that will impact breaking balls much more than fastballs. Anibal Sanchez, the Tigers starter, relies heavily on his slider so this will be a point of emphasis for him. While Ryan Vogelsong relies much more on his fastball than his offspead stuff. From an offensive stand point, the cold temperatures could impact the carry of the baseball and take away some power from the teams.
The weather is what it is and at this level you just have to play through whatever the conditions are. I don't expect the players to worry about the cold at all. They all know what is at stake this weekend and that will be their focus. While the media will want to remind you how cold they are, the heat of whats at stake should be more than enough to warm the players. At least it will be dry the entire time the series is there. At this time of year, that is all you really hope for.
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