Astros close roof at Minute Maid park for Game 1
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The Houston Astros will open the 2022 ALCS against the New York Yankees at home on Wednesday, kicking off the series in the friendly confines of Minute Maid Park. And as usual in the postseason, the roof will be closed at the Astros’ home stadium.
KHOU’s Daniel Gotera tweeted a video of the roof being closed on Wednesday, kicking off what has effectively become a regular tradition at Minute Maid Park. The Astros opened their roof just one time in 2022, a 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Astros were more willing to open their roof in previous seasons, though open-roof games at Minute Maid Park were still a rarity. The Astros went 6–1 with the roof open in 2021, including a 1–1 split during a pair of home World Series games. The Astros won Game 2 against Atlanta with the roof open, but dropped Game 6 in what was series-clincher for the Braves.
There is some notable history in Houston regarding the roof in postseason contests. Former Astros utility player Chris Burke previously discussed MLB forcing the Astros to keep the roof open in the 2005 postseason, taking away what Houston regarded at the time as a significant home-field advantage.
Temperatures in Houston are expected to sit in the mid-60s at first pitch at 6:37 p.m. CT, before dropping into the 50s later in the evening. Houston ace Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Astros, as he squares off against Yankees starter Jameson Taillon.