YOUR MOVE MISH
How MLB's decision on Astros ALDS will certainly be a hot topic for debate
Oct 5, 2023, 5:50 pm
Will the roof be open at Minute Maid this weekend? Composite image by Jack Brame.
How Astros somehow harvested success where MLB planted a crop of excuses, failure
There’s much ado about whether the roof at Minute Maid Park should/will be open or closed for the American League Division Series starting Saturday between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros.
Of course the decision will be made depending on the weather, but the forecast is for temperatures in the mid-70s with partly cloudy skies and no threat of rain. That’s ideal weather for baseball. Absolutely perfect. Even San Diego would be jealous.
Expect the roof to be closed.
It won’t be because Astros players prefer playing under a closed roof. They believe a closed roof is a big part of their home field advantage. Outfielders don’t have to worry about atmospheric vagaries to catch fly balls. A controlled environment gives an edge to the better team, and that’s the Astros most times. OK, maybe not this year when the Astros had a losing record at home. But still, given a choice, the Astros would rather be playing at home, under a roof, in front of their screaming fans.
During the regular season, Astros management calls the shots on whether the roof will be open or closed at Minute Maid Park. Almost always, the decision is to close the roof. You can count the number of times the roof was open this year on one hand.
For legit reasons. It does get toasty during summer in Houston. Over the years, the Astros have a higher winning percentage with the roof closed than open. It costs about $1,000 an hour to air condition Minute Maid Park, which was only slightly higher than my electric bill this summer.
It used to be that the Astros started night games with the roof open and closed the roof after the sun went down. That stopped in 2005.
But when the post-season rolls around, it’s the commissioner of baseball’s decision whether the roof will be open or closed. Last year, Game 2 of the American League Championship Series was played under the stars at Minute Maid Park, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone blamed the Yankees’ loss on the roof being open. Boone whined that an Aaron Judge fly ball would have been a home run if the roof had been closed, but wind kept the ball inside the park for Kyle Tucker to catch it.
After that, the roof was closed for all three games of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park.
I’m betting the roof will be closed for Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS this weekend because Fox is broadcasting the games and Fox loves the great indoors. TV has a mighty voice in baseball decisions, especially during the playoffs when networks pay big bucks and they want no whammies.
In 2017, the Super Bowl was at NRG Stadium in Houston and Fox did the game. That day was about 66 balmy degrees for the New England Patriots’ comeback win in overtime over the Atlanta Falcons. The roof was closed.
In 2004, the Super Bowl was at NRG Stadium. The temperature was a cool, crisp 62 degrees for the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Janet Jackson’s famous “wardrobe malfunction” at halftime. The roof was closed with CBS doing the game.
A Fox person told me that closing the roof on a sports stadium creates a controlled TV studio. The network doesn’t have to worry about drizzly weather, shadows or the sun dipping in and out from behind clouds. The entire field’s lighting is uniform. Sound technicians don’t have to worry about planes flying overhead or crowd noise evaporating into the open sky.
Unless the MLB commissioner offers divine intervention, expect Justin Verlander to deal with Twins batters under the Minute Maid Park roof.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.
After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.
Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.
Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.
Last night, Christian Walker, batting 4th, went 0-4, 2 K
- Walker for the season, batting 4th: .167 BA, .498 OPS
- Both are MLB worst (min. 75 AB batting 4th, 51st of 51)
- His 210 AB batting 4th are 6th most in MLB
- He's hitting .317 w/ .887 OPS when batting anywhere but 4th
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 19, 2025
Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.
Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.
On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.
There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.
Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.
With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!