Today's MLB Weather: Forecasts & Updates

MLB Weather Report

Weather can have a significant impact on Major League Baseball (MLB) games, and sportsbooks take the daily weather forecast into account when establishing betting lines.

Weather conditions can affect a team’s performance, and can influence not only the game odds but also the outcome of the game. When games are postponed due to less-than-favorable weather, oddsmakers will typically adjust the betting lines accordingly.

The number of MLB games that are shortened or postponed due to weather can vary widely from year to year and is influenced by factors such as regional weather patterns and the scheduling of games. However, on average, it’s estimated that around 2-3% of MLB games in a 162-game season are postponed or shortened due to weather.

Here’s an example table that outlines how weather can impact MLB games:

Weather Factor	Impact On Game	Calculation
Temperature	Ball travel distance	10°F increase in temperature can result in a 4.5 ft increase in the distance of a hit ball.
Humidity	Ball travel distance	Higher humidity can make the air more dense, reducing the distance of hit balls.
Wind Speed	Ball trajectory	A 5 mph increase in wind speed can reduce the distance of a hit ball by up to 5 ft.
Altitude	Ball travel distance	Balls hit at higher altitudes can travel further due to reduced air density.
Precipitation	Field conditions	Heavy precipitation can cause delays or cancellations.

Games played in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States are more likely to be impacted by inclement weather during the early part of the season, while games played in Southern or Western regions may be more likely to be impacted by heat or humidity during the summer months.

Additionally, games that are played during the daytime may be more likely to be postponed or shortened due to heat or glare, while games played at night may be more likely to be impacted by cooler temperatures or wind.

How Temperature Affects MLB Games

This table shows how humidity level affects pitchers and batters.

Humidity Level	Effect on Pitching	Effect on Batting
Low (less than 30%)	Increases the movement on breaking pitches, making them harder to hit.	Dries out the ball and can make it easier to hit harder and farther. A 10% decrease in humidity can result in an increase in batted ball distance of up to 4.5 feet.
Medium (between 30% and 70%)	No significant effect on pitching.	No significant effect on batting.
High (more than 70%)	Reduces the movement on breaking pitches, making them easier to hit.	Increases the stickiness of the ball and can make it harder to hit farther. A 10% increase in humidity can result in a decrease in batted ball distance of up to 1.5 feet.

The temperature range also affects pitchers and batters.

Temperate Range	Effect on Pitching	Effect on Batting
Hot (above 90°F)	Decreases the effectiveness of breaking pitches, making them easier to hit. Increases the distance of batted balls, making them more likely to be home runs. Specifically, for every 10-degree increase in temperature, batted ball distance can increase by up to 3.5 feet.	Increases the risk of dehydration and fatigue, which can negatively affect performance.
Mild (between 60°F and 90°F)	No significant effect on pitching.	No significant effect on batting.
Cold (below 60°F)	Increases the effectiveness of breaking pitches, making them harder to hit. Decreases the distance of batted balls, making them less likely to be home runs. Specifically, for every 10-degree decrease in temperature, batted ball distance can decrease by up to 2.5 feet.	Increases the risk of injury, as cold muscles are more prone to strains and pulls.

The type of wind and its direction can aid or hurt pitchers and batters based on the situation.

Wind Direction	Effect on Pitching	Effect on Batting
Outward (blowing toward outfield)	Helps pitchers by pushing fly balls back toward the infield, making them easier to catch. Specifically, a 10 mph tailwind can result in a 0.3 increase in pitcher’s strikeout rate.	Hurts batters by making it harder to hit balls deep into the outfield. Specifically, a 10 mph headwind can result in a decrease in batted ball distance of up to 2 feet.
Inward (blowing toward home plate)	Hurts pitchers by making it easier for batters to hit fly balls deeper into the outfield. Specifically, a 10 mph tailwind can result in a 0.3 increase in pitcher’s ERA.	Helps batters by carrying balls farther than they would normally go. Specifically, a 10 mph tailwind can result in an increase in batted ball distance of up to 3 feet.
Crosswind (blowing from left or right field)	Can make it harder for pitchers to locate pitches and for batters to make contact. Specifically, a 10 mph crosswind can result in a decrease in pitcher’s strikeout rate by 0.15 and an increase in pitcher’s ERA by 0.15.	Can make it harder for batters to hit and for fielders to catch fly balls. Specifically, a 10 mph crosswind can result in a decrease in batted ball distance of up to 1.5 feet.

Postponed Games

If a game is postponed due to inclement weather, the original betting line will be voided, and a new line will be established once the game is rescheduled. If a game is postponed due to rain or other inclement weather, it can be rescheduled for a later date, or it can be played the next day as part of a doubleheader.

Doubleheaders

MLB doubleheaders are games in which two regular season games are played on the same day, usually as a result of a previously postponed game or due to scheduling conflicts.

Doubleheaders can have a significant impact on the MLB season, as they can lead to changes in team standings, player performance, and overall scheduling.

• Changes in team standings – If a team wins both games of a doubleheader, they gain two wins in their overall season record, which can impact their position in the standings.

• Increased player fatigue – Playing two games in a single day can be physically demanding for players, particularly pitchers, who may be required to pitch in both games. This can increase the risk of injury or fatigue.
• Changes in scheduling – Doubleheaders may require teams to play more games in a shorter period of time, which can impact travel plans, rest days, and other logistical concerns.
• Playoff implications – Doubleheaders can impact a team’s overall record, which can impact their playoff chances at the end of the season. Teams that play more doubleheaders may have a more challenging schedule and may be at a disadvantage when competing for playoff spots.

Overall, while doubleheaders can be challenging for players and teams, they are an important part of the MLB season and can have significant impacts on team standings, player performance, and overall scheduling.

MLB Stadiums Most Likely to be Impacted by Weather

Here’s a table of the teams historically most likely to be impacted by MLB weather due to not having a domed roof, ordered alphabetically:

Team	Stadium	Region	Possible Conditions
Chicago Cubs	Wrigley Field	Midwest	Cold, windy, and wet conditions in early season games.
Cleveland Indians	Progressive Field	Midwest	Cold, snowy, and wet conditions in early season games.
Colorado Rockies	Coors Field	Mountainwest	Cold, snowy, and wet conditions in early season games.
Detroit Tigers	Comerica Park	Midwest	Cold, snowy, and wet conditions in early season games.
Kansas City Royals	Kauffman Stadium	Midwest	Hot, humid conditions in mid-summer games.
Milwaukee Brewers	American Family Field	Midwest	Cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy conditions in early season games.
Minnesota Twins	Target Field	Midwest	Cold, snowy, and wet conditions in early season games.
New York Mets	Citi Field	Northeast	Cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy conditions in early season games.
Philadelphia Phillies	Citizens Bank Park	Northeast	Cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy conditions in early season games.
Pittsburgh Pirates	PNC Park	Northeast	Cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy conditions in early season games.
Seattle Mariners	T-Mobile Park	Pacific Northwest	Cool, damp, and sometimes rainy conditions throughout the season.
St. Louis Cardinals	Busch Stadium	Midwest	Cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy conditions in early season games.

While baseball games do not typically result in snow, early season games played in colder regions can still be impacted by snowy and wet conditions, which can lead to game postponements or cancellations. In addition to the weather conditions mentioned in the table, teams playing in the Pacific Northwest are often impacted by cool and damp conditions, which can also affect player performance.

Retractable Roofs

Many MLB stadiums have retractable roofs that allow games to be played without weather being a factor.

These stadiums include Miller Park in Milwaukee, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Chase Field in Arizona, and Rogers Centre in Toronto.

When a game is played with the roof closed, the weather conditions outside do not affect the game, and the teams can play under consistent conditions. This can be beneficial to teams that play in areas with unpredictable weather patterns, as they can be assured that their games will not be affected by the weather.

Wind Velocity & Impact on MLB Games

As previously noted, Wrigley Field in Chicago is often affected by strong winds that can affect the trajectory of the ball, and Fenway Park in Boston experiences a wide range of weather conditions, including hot and humid summers and cold, wet winters.

AT&T Park in San Francisco’s cool, damp conditions can make it difficult for batters to hit home runs, particularly during night games when the air is cooler. Coors Field in Denver, on the other hand, is located at a high altitude, which can affect the flight of the ball and lead to more home runs being hit.

Wind velocity is another factor that can impact how the ball travels in MLB games. When wind velocity is high, it can affect the trajectory of the ball, making it more difficult for batters to hit home runs or for fielders to catch fly balls.

Wind can also affect how far the ball travels, with strong tailwinds aiding batters and headwinds hindering them. Stadiums that are located in areas with high wind velocity, such as Wrigley Field in Chicago and Minute Maid Park in Houston, can be particularly affected.

When can an MLB game be called due to weather?

An MLB game can be called due to weather if the playing conditions become unsafe or unplayable. This can include heavy rain, snow, fog, lightning, or other severe weather conditions that can make it difficult for players to see or move safely. Umpires will typically make the decision to call a game due to weather, taking into account factors such as the amount of rain or snow that has fallen, the condition of the field, and the forecast for the remainder of the game.

How to see if a baseball game has a weather delay?

Fans can check if a baseball game has a weather delay by checking the team’s official website or social media channels for updates. Many teams will also provide real-time weather updates and announcements about any delays or cancellations on their stadium scoreboards or through their mobile apps.

How long is an MLB weather delay?

The length of an MLB weather delay can vary depending on the severity of the weather and how quickly the conditions can be improved. In some cases, a weather delay may only last a few minutes or hours, while in other cases, games may be postponed for an entire day or longer. When a weather delay occurs, umpires and team officials will typically work together to determine when it is safe to resume play.

Does a baseball travel farther or faster in different temperatures?

The distance that a baseball travels can be affected by a variety of factors, including temperature, humidity, altitude, and wind velocity.

In general, a baseball will travel farther in warmer temperatures, as the air is less dense and provides less resistance to the ball’s trajectory. Cooler temperatures can make the air denser, making it more difficult for batters to hit home runs or for pitchers to throw strikes during a cold game. However, wind velocity can also play a significant role in how far a baseball travels, with strong tailwinds aiding batters and headwinds hindering them.

Five Notable Examples of MLB Games Impacted by Weather

1. The 2008 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays was delayed several times due to rain, with Game 5 being postponed for two days. The series was eventually won by the Phillies in five games.
2. The 1993 All-Star Game at Camden Yards in Baltimore was delayed due to a thunderstorm, with the game eventually being called after the National League had taken a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning. The game remains the only All-Star Game to be shortened due to weather.
3. The 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals was impacted by a cold front that brought temperatures down to near-freezing levels. The Rangers lost two games at home due to poor pitching performances in the cold weather.
4. The 1979 “Disco Demolition Night” at Comiskey Park in Chicago was canceled due to fans rioting after a promotion to blow up disco records on the field caused a large-scale disturbance. The second game of the doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers was never played due to the damage to the field.
5. The 1996 season opener between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field was postponed due to snow. The game was rescheduled for the following day and ended up being the coldest game ever played.

FAQs — MLB Weather

Do MLB games get rained out?

Yes, even light rain can cause a baseball game to be postponed or canceled. 

How hot does it have to be for a baseball game to be canceled? 

Many components of weather can impact a game; however, heat and extreme temperatures have never caused a baseball game to be canceled in the past. 

Do MLB games get canceled for thunderstorms? 

Yes, thunderstorms can cause a game delay or total cancelation.

Why can’t MLB players play in the rain? 

Baseball is very susceptible to rain delays because the fields are typically just dirt. When the rain turns it to mud, it can be impossible for baseball players to run.