AP Photo NEW YORK’S EDWIN Encarnacion is tagged out at first base by Houston’s Yuli Gurriel during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the ALCS Tuesday. The Astros won 4-1 to take a 2-1 series lead.

NEW YORK (AP) – A major storm was moving into the New York area, putting Game 4 of the AL Championship Series in peril.

The Astros lead 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup after winning at Yankee Stadium 4-1 on Tuesday. The teams are scheduled to play at night, but that could change. The gloomy weather forecast calls for a substantial rainstorm, potentially forcing a postponement that would likely alter pitching plans for both teams.

Both clubs intended to rely on relievers Wednesday night, but a rainout would allow them to bring back the Game 1 starters on full rest in Game 4 if it gets pushed to Thursday.

Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka beat Zack Greinke in the opener last Saturday at Houston, improving to 5-2 with a 1.32 ERA in seven career postseason outings. Greinke is 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts in the playoffs this year.

If Game 4 is postponed, the ALCS would lose a travel day. After Friday night’s game in the Bronx — if the series is still going — the teams would pack up and play Game 6 in Houston on Saturday night.

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton sat out Tuesday for the second consecutive game because of a strained right quadriceps. He was replaced in the lineup by center fielder Aaron Hicks, who batted ninth in his first start since Aug. 3 due to a strained flexor near his right elbow.

Gerrit Cole held the Yankees scoreless without his sharpest stuff, Jose Altuve sparked Houston at the plate Tuesday.

Altuve and Josh Reddick homered early off Luis Severino, who labored into the fifth while keeping the Yankees close. But they never broke through against Cole, who went seven innings to win his 19th straight decision despite walking five batters for the second time in his career.

Cole pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the first and stranded nine runners through five, improving to 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in three outings this postseason. He is unbeaten in 25 starts since his last loss on May 22.