MLB smoke updates: Latest news on Cubs-Phillies, other sporting events impacted by Canadian wildfires

David Suggs

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MLB smoke updates: Latest news on Cubs-Phillies, other sporting events impacted by Canadian wildfires image

As a haze of smoky fog blankets parts of the Midwest, various sports leagues are keeping tabs on air quality trends to determine their next course of action.

Another wave of wildfires has struck parts of Canada, sending fumes drifting over Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and other major cities across the nation's heartland.

It's the second time such a situation has played out this month; games across the Northeast United States were recently halted due to poor air quality. 

MORE: Will the Mets fire Buck Showalter?

The Sporting News is tracking the latest news and updates on the numerous sporting events that could be altered amid dwindling air quality conditions.

Latest news, updates on MLB games impacted by smoke from wildfires

MLB is reportedly monitoring air quality conditions as remnants from wildfires in the Great White North swirl their way into the American Midwest. Among the games most at risk of being affected are Cubs-Phillies at Wrigley Field, Padres-Pirates at PNC Park, and Astros-Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

The league has taken a hardline stance on air quality-related cancellations and postponements, nixing a game between the Mariners and Giants after air quality index (AQI) of 241. MLB abided by its prior ruling earlier in the month, postponing games set to take place in Washington, New York and Philadelphia.

Across the sports world, Sunday's NASCAR race across Chicago (5:30 p.m. ET) could also see changes as a result of worsening air quality.

MORE: If the Angels aren't trading Shohei Ohtani, roster upgrades are critical for playoff run

Below is a rundown of the games at risk of being impacted by Canadian wildfires.

Phillies at Cubs

Tuesday

Air quality in Chicago hit an unhealthily high AQI on Tuesday, so much so that the Chicago Department of Public Health recommended Chicagoans "limit exposure" outdoors.

Despite this, Tuesday's game between the Phillies and Cubs was played as scheduled. The AQI remains high on Wednesday, hovering near 200 in Chicago, so it will be worth monitoring the air throughout the day to see whether Wrigley Field will be able to get the second game of the series in.

A thick fog of smoky air swarmed over the Windy City on Tuesday, decreasing visibility while assaulting the senses with a pungent smoky odor. It's a scene eerily similar to the ones that popped up across the East Coast earlier in the month.

UPDATE: The smoke did not deter the teams from playing. The Phillies won 8-5.

Padres at Pirates

Wednesday

The Pirates' matchup with the Padres might be the MLB game most at risk of cancellation on Wednesday. Pittsburgh was covered in a blanket of smoke and haze on Wednesday morning, to the point that typically beautiful views of the city completely disappeared.

As of the late morning, Pittsburgh's AQI had improved to about 200. If that trend of improvement continues, the game will almost certainly be played. If it doesn't, however, it will be worth closely monitoring the status at PNC Park.

The Pirates released a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying they plan to play the game as scheduled but will "closely monitor" the air quality leading up to first pitch.

Meanwhile, here's what Pittsburgh looked like when the day began. 

UPDATE: The game was played as scheduled, with the Pirates winning 7-1.

Thursday

It seems the smoke situation has only grown more dire in Pittsburgh. With a game scheduled for 12:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, neither side is on the field. Feels like a delay, if not outright postponement, could be on the cards.

And just like that, a delay is in effect at PNC Park. Too much smoke, or whatever it was that Nardo Wick said in that song of his.

Astros at Cardinals

Wednesday

Smoke has descended as far south as St. Louis, where the Cardinals are set to host the Astros on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals and Astros were able to play their Tuesday night game at Busch Stadium as scheduled. The AQI is hovering near 185 as of Wednesday morning, which MLB has played through, so the game should be able to start as scheduled as long as conditions don't worsen throughout the day.

UPDATE: The teams played Wednesday night without incident. The Astros won 10-7.

Giants vs. Blue Jays

Wednesday

This is a strange one, isn't it? Rogers Centre in Toronto has a retractable roof, but the smoke has seeped in anyway ahead of Wednesday's game between the Blue Jays and Giants. 

There is no indication the game could be postponed, though the AQI is hovering at an unhealthy level above 200 in Toronto. 

UPDATE: The game went on as scheduled. The Jays routed the Giants 6-1.

Guardians at Royals

Wednesday

Cleveland is being hit as hard as any city on Wednesday, with an AQI well above 200 as of the late morning, but the Guardians are playing in Kansas City. So far, Kansas City has been spared from the smoke.

MORE: Guardians manager Terry Francona misses another game

Gold Cup: USA vs. St. Kitts & Nevis

Wednesday

Not far from St. Louis' Busch Stadium, the U.S. men's national team played its second group stage match in this year's CONCACAF continental competition Wednesday night at CITYPARK. The Americans eased to a 6-0 victory.

Rocket Mortgage Classic

Wednesday

The PGA Tour's Rocket Mortgage Classic is in Detroit this week, where air quality has diminished, but there are currently no plans to postpone any of the event. 

Sparks at Sky

Wednesday

The WNBA game between the Sparks and Sky was played as scheduled on Wednesday afternoon. While the circumstances are different than other sports because the game is played indoors, the league postponed a Liberty vs. Lynx game on June 7 due to poor air quality in New York.

UPDATE: Wednesday's matchup went off without a hitch, with the Sky cruising to an 80-63 victory. The game tipped off at 12 p.m. ET as initially planned.

Red Wings NHL Draft party

Wednesday

Detroit also is under a cloud, and the Red Wings announced they have moved Wednesday night's NHL Draft party at Little Caesars Arena indoors. 

NASCAR at Chicago

Tuesday

For the first time, the Cup Series is heading to the streets of Chicago; NASCAR's premier competition will take over downtown Chicago for the Grant Park 220.

NASCAR hasn't yet made an announcement on if the recent air quality crisis in Chicago will bring any changes to this weekend's events.  However, the pure amount of fuel expelled by these racing thoroughbreds certainly would be a cause for concern, as it almost certainly will exacerbate any present air quality issues. As such, a growing legion of Chicagoans are calling on mayor Lori Lightfoot to revisit the race, if not cancel it outright.

MLB games today

Game Time (ET)
Padres at Pirates 12:40 p.m.
Tigers at Rangers 2:05 p.m.
Guardians at Royals 2:10 p.m.
Yankees and Athletics 3:37 p.m.
Rays at Diamondbacks 3:40 p.m.
White Sox at Angels 4:07 p.m.
Marlins at Red Sox 6:10 p.m.
Giants at Blue Jays 7:07 p.m.
Brewers at Mets 7:10 p.m.
Astros at Cardinals 7:15 p.m.
Phillies at Cubs 8:05 p.m.
Dodgers at Rockies 8:40 p.m.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.