The Rangers have not played a home game with the retractable roof at Globe Life Field open since May 21.
But entering Tuesday’s ALDS Game 3, there was speculation the roof could be open. The decision ultimately happens at the league level, but 85 degrees has generally been a threshold to consider having the roof open. Forecasts in Arlington indicate the temperature could be just under 80 degrees at the time of the first pitch. Still, the team announced Tuesday afternoon the roof will officially be closed for Game 3.
And that leads to another interesting question, one that was a hot topic in Tuesday’s pregame media sessions. Does it make any difference?
The Rangers played only 11 games with the roof open this season, so it’s worth noting the sample size is small. But in open-roof games, the Rangers hit .293 with a .914 OPS. With the roof closed, the team hit .271 with a .833 OPS.
As a whole, Globe Life Field was more hitter-friendly to both teams when the roof is open. The stadium had a park factor of 110 for run-scoring with the roof closed and 145 with it open.
Rangers pitchers also allowed slightly more runs with the roof open. Their ERA was 4.77 in those games compared to 4.50 with the roof closed.
Texas has one of the league’s most powerful offenses, but it doesn’t necessarily need an open roof to blast the baseball. Texas ranked third in runs scored and fourth in home runs this season.
The Orioles, meanwhile, ranked seventh in runs but only 17th in home runs.
“Both teams are playing the same ballpark, roof open, roof closed, same conditions,” Rangers GM Chris Young said. “I always said as a starting pitcher, my job was to be one run better than the other team. Ultimately, that's all that matters. That's the way we look at it. Whatever the conditions are, our job is to go out and find a way to win.”
