/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67679572/1276668803.jpg.0.jpg)
For the first time in 13 games this postseason, the roof will be closed at Globe Life Field, for Game 3 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Rays.
The roof will be closed tonight for Game 3 of the #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/F7RCffjyl8
— Globe Life Field (@GlobeLifeField) October 23, 2020
Overnight rain and the slight possibility of more coming Friday afternoon and evening, coupled with temperatures in the low 50s and wind, was the culprit.
“MLB, which consulted with medical advisors in reaching this decision, believes that a closed roof will provide the best competitive environment for players and the most comfort for fans without jeopardizing their safety in any way,” Major League Baseball said in a statement, per Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times.
The Dodgers’ 12 previous games — NLDS, NLCS, first two games of the World Series — all were played with the roof open in Arlington.
Scoring and home run hitting at the ballpark has been dramatically different this year, the first year of the new stadium, with the roof open compared to when it’s closed. In 12 postseason games, the Dodgers and their opponents combined for 10.4 runs per game and exactly three home runs per game.
In 24 regular season games with the roof closed this season, the Rangers and their opponents combined for 8.2 runs and 1.79 home runs per game, both under the numbers for 30 Rangers road games (8.9 runs, 2.57 homers per game).
Globe Life Field, roof open vs. closed
Split | Games | Runs | Runs/game | HR | HR/game |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Split | Games | Runs | Runs/game | HR | HR/game |
Reg. season, open roof | 6 | 71 | 11.83 | 23 | 3.83 |
Reg. season, closed roof | 24 | 197 | 8.21 | 43 | 1.79 |
Postseason, open roof | 12 | 125 | 10.42 | 36 | 3.00 |
How things play out in Game 3 remains to be seen, but with Walker Buehler and Charlie Morton on the mound this game figured to be low-scoring anyway, at least for the first five or six innings.