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 accurate baseball betting lines.
Weather conditions can affect a team’s performance and game odds as well as the final outcome of a competition. When games are postponed due to less-than-favorable weather, oddsmakers will typically adjust the betting lines accordingly for baseball bettors.
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 scheduling. 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 baseball 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, as detailed below:
| 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 earned run average (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 ball 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 influence a team’s overall record, which can affect their playoff chances at the end of the season. Teams that play more doubleheaders can 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 significantly change team standings, player performance and scheduling. Keeping these factors in mind can help lead you to more baseball betting success.
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 stadium, 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, professional baseball 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 outside does 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.
Wind Velocity & Impact on MLB Games
As previously noted, Wrigley Field in Chicago is often affected by strong winds that can influence 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 by this baseball weather.
When can an MLB game be called for 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 baseball 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
Baseball 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 hotter 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
Below we have listed some of the most noteworthy games in MLB that have been seriously influenced by weather conditions:
- 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.
- 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.
- The 2001 World Series played by the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees is another memorable game that had extreme weather conditions. Instead of snow or scorching heat, the game was plagued by a dust storm in the seventh inning that was followed by intense rain. The Diamondbacks went on to beat the Yankees.
- 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.
- 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.
It is important to remember come game time that if a competition is rescheduled due to rain, snow, heat or windy weather, you will still have plenty of opportunities to place your baseball bets. Even if the game resumes at a later date, you’re still in for an exciting day of baseball.
MLB Weather: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a baseball game end because of weather?
Yes, a Major League Baseball game can end because of weather if it’s called off before it becomes an official game. Typically, a game is considered official if five innings have been completed (or if the home team is leading after 4.5 innings).
What happens when an MLB game is suspended due to weather?
When an MLB game is suspended due to weather, play is halted and the teams leave the field. If the game is tied or in the middle of an inning, it will typically be resumed from the point of suspension at a later date.
What is the MLB rain policy?
MLB games can be suspended due to rain and the decision to continue the game is made after a minimum 30-minute delay. If the MLB game is called off before becoming official, it is rescheduled. If called off after the fifth inning, then the leading team is declared the winner.
Who makes the call to postpone an MLB game?
The decision to postpone an MLB game due to weather is made by the home team’s grounds crew in consultation with the umpires and MLB officials. Factors such as current weather conditions, forecasts and field safety are considered before making the decision.
Is rain better for hitters or pitchers?
Rain can benefit pitchers as it makes gripping the ball more difficult for hitters. The wet conditions can also slow down the ball, making it harder for hitters to generate power. This can give pitchers an advantage, leading to lower-scoring games.
