JUSTIN Verlander is tipped to start for the Houston Astros. AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Major League Baseball postponed Game 4 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) the Houston Astros and New York Yankees after storms forecast in New York City.

The game at the Yankee Stadium was due to get under way Wednesday at 8 p.m. local time, but has been delayed by 24 hours to avoid the possibility of a rainout, said Major League Baseball (MLB) in a statement.

The National Weather Service had forecast a 100 percent likelihood of rain in New York later Wednesday.

The Astros lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1, after a victory at the Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Game 5 will now take place on Friday.

“We are mindful of two things: We don’t want to affect the competitive complexion of the series, and we want to be mindful of our fans who have to get out,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred had warned on Tuesday when the postponement was first suggested.

“We don’t want to bring them here if we know we are not going to be able to play.”

The postponement alters the likely pitching lineups for the remainder of the series.

The Astros are now set to bring back Zack Greinke for Game 4, allowing Justin Verlander to start in Game 5.

The winner of the Astros and Yankees series will advance to a World Series showdown with the Washington Nationals, who secured their place to the Fall Classic with victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.