Six-day layoff not ideal for Tigers

• Six-day layoff brings back memories of the their 2006 postseason run
• Leyland: "I don't give a (hoot) if we wait three weeks to the World Series''
• The Tigers will play intrasquad games while waiting for their National League opponent

DETROIT -- Jim Leyland has a gash in his head, is $20,000 poorer, and has a World Series team rarin' to go - but no team to play.

Having a six-day layoff before the start of the World Series is hardly ideal, resurrecting memories of their 2006 World Series debacle when they lost in five sloppy games to the St. Louis Cardinals after their layoff.

But for Leyland, the Tigers manager, it sure beats sitting on the couch smoking Marlboros by yourself.

"When you sweep the New York Yankees,'' Leyland said, "I don't give a (hoot) if we wait three weeks to the World Series.''

Leyland still can't believe the Tigers swept the Yankees, and went to bed each night during the American League Championship Series tossing and turning, believing the Yankees' offense would come to life. It never did, with Leyland, 67, calling it the oddest postseason series he has ever been involved in during his career.

The Tigers, with six days off, will open the World Series on Wednesday in the National League city.

Life is good when your biggest worries during the weekend are finding bandages for his head, making sure there's a big enough limit on the credit card for $20,000 worth of World Series tickets, and learning the names of prospects from the Tigers' instructional league who arrived to play intrasquad games against the Tigers while waiting for their National League opponent.

"I usually don't go out in those celebrations," Leyland said, "but Phil Coke got me, and poured the bottle out. I as freezing, so I jumped up, and he hit my bald spot in the back, split my head open.

"He apologized. I told him, "You save four more games, you can slice my head open.''

Comedian George Lopez stopped by the Tigers' workout, chatted with his favorite player, Miguel Cabrera, and provided a suite for the team to attend his show at the Fox Theatre. Lopez wore a Tigers cap during the show, and brought the house down by introducing Justin Verlander.

"I had a fan [Saturday] night come up to me,'' Leyland said, "and say, "Great job. I apologize to being mean to you all year.' …It's been terrific."