KANSAS CITY -- Major League Baseball has relocated the Astros-Rangers series to Tropicana Field due to the severe weather conditions and catastrophic floods caused by Hurricane Harvey throughout Southeast Texas.
The Astros will be the home team for all three contests on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, which were originally scheduled to be played at Minute Maid Park. The Astros' three-game series against the Mets at Minute Maid Park scheduled for Friday-Saturday could also be moved to Tropicana Field. That decision will be made later this week.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by Hurricane Harvey," Rays president Brian Auld said in a statement issued by the team. "The Rays are proud to assist our partners in Major League Baseball by hosting the series, and we appreciate the support from Rays staff and the community to make it a success."
Added St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Krisean: "The City of St. Petersburg welcomes the Astros and encourages fans of the Rays and the game of baseball to come out to Tropicana Field. Our community is keeping Houston residents in our thoughts, contributing to relief efforts, and sending a delegation from St. Pete Fire & Rescue to the Houston area. Baseball has often served to bring people together and lift spirits during tough times. I am confident this week's games will do just that."
Rays manager Kevin Cash talked to Astros manager A.J. Hinch on Monday.
"Talking to A.J., we all know what Houston has gone through," Cash said. "The players' families. That community's families. Any way the Rays can help out, and hopefully some guys will come out and support baseball."
According to the Rays PR department, this is believed to be only the fourth time in the history of Major League Baseball that weather concerns have required the relocation of games to a neutral site. It previously happened Sept. 14-15, 2008 (Cubs at Astros, two games held at Miller Park in Milwaukee) due to Hurricane Ike, April 10-12, 2007 (Angels at Indians, three games at Miller Park) due to snow and Sept. 13-14, 2004 (Expos at Marlins, two games at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago) due to Hurricane Ivan.
All tickets will be sold as general admission tickets in the lower level only, subject to availability, (excluding the DEX Imaging Home Plate Club, Ducky's 162 Landing and Papa John's Bullpen Box) and will be available for purchase for $10 online at raysbaseball.com/tickets and the Gate 1 Tropicana Field box office. To help those affected by Hurricane Harvey, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.