Rob Manfred gives Astros a scare just before first pitch

Rob Manfred could’ve pulled a bizarre flex to force the Astros to close the roof at Minute Maid Park, but it was all a scare tactic.

Sure, Minute Maid could be a little humid, but that’s surely better than a forced rain delay, no?

Per reports, Manfred considered asking the Astros to close the roof due to the humidity and borderline unsafe conditions for players and coaches. Bud Selig forced the Astros to open the roof in the 2005 World Series as well, a series they lost to the Chicago White Sox.

The weather will probably prevent this from happening, however. The Astros have played the entire postseason with the roof closed, and it’s only 82 degrees at the moment. Wind and cooling temperatures will prevent the 86 degree threshold from being crossed, thankfully.

Disaster averted, right?

Rob Manfred scared Astros before first pitch

Was Manfred actually willing to close the roof? Sure, if he had to. But he also knew the threshold he set in terms of temperature for Minute Maid Park was unlikely to be crossed.

Manfred still receives plenty of flack for his punishment — or lack thereof — of the Astros over the sign-stealing scandal. While a significant fine, draft capital and a ruined reputation aren’t nothing, the Astros players have largely continued on unscathed.

The boos and disrespect from their peers are one thing, but Houston remains a consistent competitor year-in and year-out. What exactly did they lose long-term, minus a few individuals who have since continued on elsewhere?

You can be Manfred is tired of hearing about how much he blew it.