This story has been updated from a previous version.
MLB is continuing to monitor air quality conditions for several games scheduled to take place in the Northeast U.S. amid ongoing wildfires in Canada.
The league has postponed the Yankees-White Sox game and Phillies-Tigers games as a result of the poor air quality, following advisements for people to limit their outdoor activities. In Yankees’ case, they followed the example set by the NWSL postponing a scheduled game in the New York area.
Apart from the New York and Philadelphia games, the MLB contests most likely to be affected include Astros at Blue Jays and Diamondbacks at Nationals.
Baseball fans on Tuesday saw several games play out under less-than-ideal conditions as smoke from Canada wafted down the East Coast. The last time air quality played such a prominent role in games was in 2020, when wildfires burned up and down the West Coast.
MORE: Yankee Stadium smoke: See how Canadian wildfires created eerie scene
The Sporting News is tracking the latest news and updates on MLB games, especially those most closely impacted by the Canada wildfires:
Latest news, updates on MLB games impacted by Canada wildfires
MLB is reportedly monitoring the situations in the Northeast U.S. and will determine whether any other games need to be canceled or postponed. As of now, only Wednesday’s game between the Yankees and White Sox is expected to be postponed.
That follows is a precedent MLB set in 2020 after postponing a matchup between the Mariners and Giants because of an air quality index (AQI) of 241. Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated there is no AQI that will automatically trigger a postponement of a game:
If you have been wondering, as I have, whether there is an air quality index number that automatically triggers an MLB game postponement, the answer is no. It’s a combination of AQI and forecast as to how long it’s expected to stay there.
So the experts continue to convene.
— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) June 7, 2023
Below is a rundown of the games impacted by the Canada wildfires (this section will be updated):
Yankees-White Sox
Update: Yankees-White Sox has been postponed, with the teams playing a doubleheader on Thursday:
Tonight’s Yankees-White Sox game (Wednesday, June 7) is rescheduled because of poor air quality due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires and will be made up tomorrow, Thursday, June 8, as the first game of a single-admission doubleheader, which will begin at 4:05pm. pic.twitter.com/nx1WxqUaTU
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 7, 2023
According to AirNow.gov, New York has an AQI of 235 points, deemed “very unhealthy.” However, Tuesday’s game between Chicago and New York played out as scheduled amid smoky, hazy conditions, with the visiting White Sox winning 3-2.
Below are some of the scenes in New York as MLB determines whether to let the game play out at Yankee Stadium:
Seems to be getting worse by the minute as the most dense concentration of near-surface smoke approaches. Stay inside. pic.twitter.com/enhHSBR91S
— New York Metro Weather (@nymetrowx) June 7, 2023
This doesn’t feel real tbh pic.twitter.com/doIUWSrGOw
— Nick Tyrell (@nicktyrell) June 7, 2023
New York Mayor Eric Adams has advised residents to stay indoors.
“This is an unprecedented event in our city, and New Yorkers must take precautions,” Adams said, via CBS News. “At the moment, we recommend vulnerable New Yorkers stay inside, and all New Yorkers should limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible. This is not the day to train for a marathon or to do an outside event with your children.”
We’re in the worst of the conditions, but the Air Quality Health Advisory has been extended until 11:59 pm Thursday — which our teams have been anticipating.
Mask up and limit your outdoor activities.
See real-time air quality: https://t.co/Ok9k6nidUG pic.twitter.com/EfceKRUu6Y
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 7, 2023
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said MLB made the right decision to postpone the game:
Grifol: “Today at one point, it was pretty bad out there. We walked out of the dugout and it was kind of orange. They did the right thing. They got all the information.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) June 7, 2023
Astros at Blue Jays
Toronto — with a reported AQI of 160, per IQAir — announced on Wednesday it will keep the roof at Rogers Centre closed as a result of the Canada wildfires. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 7, 2023
Tigers at Phillies
Update: The Tigers-Phillies has been postponed and will be made up on Thursday:
Tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Detroit Tigers has been rescheduled due to the air quality in the Philadelphia area. The game will be made up on Thursday, June 8, at 6:05 p.m. pic.twitter.com/VIBDrYcBHD
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 7, 2023
AirNow.gov reports Philadelphia has an “unhealthy” AQI of 184. Tigers at Phillies remains likely to play out, though smoke remains visible at Citizens Bank Park:
Smoke blocked the sun at Citizens Bank Park #smoke #wildfire #philly #Philadelphia #phillies #baseball pic.twitter.com/vsjtil3oHh
— The Philly Captain (@philly_captain) June 7, 2023
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Update: Diamondbacks at Nationals will be played as scheduled.
Tonight’s game vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks will be played as scheduled. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 7, 2023
Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports the Diamondbacks-Nationals game is still scheduled to play. Washington, D.C. has an AQI of 182.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez on Wednesday said the air in D.C. is “a little bit weird” but said the team plans to play the game as scheduled:
Dave Martinez on the air: “So far, everybody’s fine. The air is a little bit weirder than normal, as we all know. I know that MLB is monitoring everything right now. We’re gonna get ready to play a big league ball game until we hear something else.”
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) June 7, 2023
Lynx at Liberty
The WNBA has also issued a postponement for one of its games: the New York Liberty vs. the Minnesota Lynx. The game does not have a makeup date as of yet.
🚨 GAME POSTPONED 🚨
The game between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty originally scheduled for 7pm/ET tonight has been postponed due to the air quality issues impacting the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the greater New York area following the wildfires in Canada
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 7, 2023
MLB games today
| Games | Time (ET) |
| Athletics at Pirates | 12:35 p.m. |
| Mariners at Padres | 4:10 p.m. |
| Tigers at Phillies | Postponed |
| Royals at Marlins | 6:10 p.m. |
| Twins at Rays | 6:40 p.m. |
| Diamondbacks at Nationals | 7:05 p.m. |
| White Sox at Yankees | Postponed |
| Astros at Blue Jays | 7:07 p.m. |
| Dodgers at Reds | 7:10 p.m. |
| Mets at Braves | 7:10 p.m. |
| Orioles at Brewers | 7:40 p.m. |
| Cardinals at Rangers | 8:05 p.m. |
| Giants at Rockies | 8:40 p.m. |
| Cubs at Angels | 9:38 p.m. |