With Hurricane Harvey causing severe weather conditions and catastrophic floods throughout Southeast Texas, Major League Baseball has moved the three-game series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros to Tropicana Field. The Astros will be the home team for all three contests, which were originally scheduled to be played at Minute Maid Park.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by Hurricane Harvey, said Rays President Brian Auld. "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."
"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," said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. "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."
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 September 14-15, 2008 (Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros, two games held at Miller Park in Milwaukee) due to Hurricane Ike, April 10-12, 2007 (Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Indians, three games at Miller Park) due to snow and September 13-14, 2004 (Montreal Expos at Florida 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.
The Rangers-Astros series schedule and ticket prices:
Tuesday, August 29                         7:10 p.m.             General Admission $10
Wednesday, August 30                  7:10 p.m.             General Admission $10
Thursday, August 31                        1:10 p.m.             General Admission $10
GATES OPEN-1 hour prior to first pitch
ENTRY-Gates 1, 4, 5, 6 ONLY
PARKING-Lots 1, 2, 6, 7 ONLY; two hours prior to game time; $10 per car
CONCESSIONS-The following concessions will be available for fans: Fan Favorites in Center Field, Hot Dog Stand in Right Field, First Base/Third Base Food Courts, the Everglades Brewhouse and select Budweiser Porch concession stands.
TV & RADIO-All three games will air on the Astros television and radio stations (AT&T SportsNet Southwest, KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM) and the Rangers television and radio stations (FOX Sports Southwest, 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270). Wednesday's game will also be broadcast nationally by ESPN.
CREDENTIALS-Daily credential requests must be made through the Rays site (rather than the Astros site) on credentials.mlb.com under the "Other" event tab. MLB and Rays full-season universal credentials will be accepted for the series. Press box seating is first-come, first-served. Gate 4 will open approximately 4 hours prior to first pitch.
MEDIA DINING-Will be available for $10 for all credentialed media two hours prior to first pitch in the Media Dining Center, located on the fourth floor next to the elevators.