Houston Astros Manager Dusty Baker Annoyed Roof Open for ALCS Game 4

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said an agreement to keep the roof closed at both ballparks in the American League Championship Series was broken.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker sounded perturbed when informed the roof of Globe Life Field would be open Thursday night for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

The Texas Rangers came into the game leading the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Andrew Heaney on the mound. 

Baker was asked pregame if having the roof open – temperatures in Arlington were in the 70s – would make a difference to the Astros.

“We really don’t know,” he said. “But we were fortunate enough to work out here prior to this series, which helps some. We were told that there was an agreement that we wouldn’t have the roof open in either place. And so I don’t know what changed.”

Houston won 8-5 in Game 5 on Wednesday with the roof closed. The Astros also have a retractable rook at Minute Maid Park, which was closed for the first two games.

The Rangers last opened the roof on May 21. According to information provided by the Texas media relations department, the decision to close the roof was made by Major League Baseball.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said the fresh air circulating through the stadium shouldn’t make a difference, even it the ball supposedly carries a little better with the roof open.

“I don't see it being any different,” Bochy said. “It's going to be a beautiful night. It's a beautiful ballpark with the roof open. I think you'll see that. So, no, I think we've had it open maybe 10, 12 times this year.”

Baker didn’t share any additional details about the supposed roof agreement or when the decision was made open it Thursday.

“I don’t know, man,” he said. “I got word prior to us coming here that there was an agreement that both sides would close their roofs. So that’s above me.”

But the roof wasn’t in Game 4.

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