Major League Baseball keeps lid on Rogers Centre for Game 5 of ALCS

TORONTO – The sun was out but the Rogers Centre roof was closed Wednesday afternoon.

While the forecast called for temperatures of 19 C with just a 10 per cent chance of precipitation for first pitch at 4:08 p.m. ET, Major League Baseball said the lid would be on for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians.

“It’s going to be closed,” said a MLB spokeswoman. “It’s been closed for two games.

“They’ll leave it closed for the third game. I think generally it’s felt even conditions for everybody.”

Toronto was 34-16 during the regular season with the roof open and 11-18 when it was closed. The team was 1-1 when it changed during the game.

Toronto manager John Gibbons seemed unconcerned playing indoors, noting that it removed any concerns about late-afternoon shadows.

Having the roof closed made for a warm night indoors Tuesday. When a reporter asked about the heat, Gibbons playfully suggested “put more deodorant on there.”