MLB smoke updates: Latest news on Yankees-White Sox, other baseball games today impacted by Canada wildfires

Zac Al-Khateeb

MLB smoke updates: Latest news on Yankees-White Sox, other baseball games today impacted by Canada wildfires image

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 postponed the Yankees-White Sox game and Phillies-Tigers games on Wednesday as a result of the poor air quality, following advisements for people to limit their outdoor activities. In the Yankees' case, they followed the example set by the NWSL postponing a scheduled game in the New York area.

The Astros at Blue Jays and Diamondbacks at Nationals games were able to play their Wednesday games despite the air quality issues. But will those series be able to continue on Thursday? That remains to be seen.

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. Yankees vs. White Sox and Phillies vs. Tigers were both postponed Wednesday, but no other games were rescheduled.

Those cancellations followed 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:

Below is a rundown of the games impacted by the Canada wildfires (this section will be updated):

Diamondbacks at Nationals

Thursday, June 8

Thursday's Diamondbacks-Nationals game will be postponed due to poor air quality in the Washington, D.C. area (273, per AirNow.gov). The game will be made up on June 22 at 1:05 p.m. ET.

Wednesday, June 7

Update: Diamondbacks at Nationals was played as scheduled on Thursday.

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:

White Sox at Yankees

Wednesday, June 7

Update: Wednesday's Yankees-White Sox was postponed, with the teams playing a doubleheader on Thursday:

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:

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."

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said MLB made the right decision to postpone the game:

Astros at Blue Jays

Wednesday, June 7

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.

Tigers at Phillies

Wednesday, June 7

Update: Wednesday's Tigers-Phillies was postponed and will be made up on Thursday:

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:

Lynx at Liberty

Wednesday, June 7

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.

MLB games today

Game Time (ET)
Dodgers at Reds 12:35 p.m.
Diamondbacks at Nationals Postponed
Twins at Rays 1:10 p.m.
Orioles at Brewers 2:10 p.m.
Giants at Rockies 3:10 p.m.
White Sox at Yankees (Game 1) 4:05 p.m.
Tigers at Phillies 6:05 p.m.
Astros at Blue Jays 7:07 p.m.
Red Sox at Guardians 7:10 p.m.
Mets at Braves 7:20 p.m.
White Sox at Yankees (Game 2) 7:35 p.m.
Cubs at Angels 9:38 p.m.

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.