Roof closed for ALDS opener in Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays will play their first playoff game in 22 years on Thursday with the roof closed at Rogers Centre, a decision made by the commissioner's office.

With light rain showers expected Thursday evening in Toronto, and the temperature at roughly 57 degrees Fahrenheit just a few hours before first pitch, David Price will take the mound against the Texas Rangers for Game 1 of the ALDS in a controlled environment.

"(Major League Baseball) will control the decision," commissioner Rob Manfred told Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Wednesday. "It probably goes without saying that in a series this important, leaving that decision to the home team is probably not appropriate. There are a set of criteria that has been established (and) both teams are aware of those and we’ll proceed based on that."

The Blue Jays, who finished the regular season with the second-best record in the American League, went 38-14 (.731) with the roof open this season, but managed an 11-14 record (.440) when it was closed. On those rare occasions where the roof was either opened or closed mid-game, the Blue Jays went 4-0.

For the record, though, Price - who fashioned a 2.61 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP in six starts at Rogers Centre this season - doesn't care either way.

"I've kind of heard different things, maybe the ball flies a little bit better with it open, which I get," he said Wednesday. "But I don't have a preference - whatever our offense wants. (We have) the best offense in all of baseball, so whatever they want is fine with me."