sports
MLB Game Start Time Moved Up Due to Wildfire Smoke
The Mets game against the home team in Philadelphia began at 6:10 p.m. ET instead of 7:10 p.m. because of air quality concerns from Canadian and northern Minnesota wildfires. An MLS match in Chicago was also postponed.
Jul 16, 5:20 PM·1m read4 sources
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The start time for the only MLB game scheduled after the All-Star break was moved up one hour to 6:10 p.m. ET on Thursday because of air quality concerns at the ballpark. Heavy wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota reached the East Coast, darkening skies and reducing visibility across the region.
Officials in multiple cities urged residents to stay indoors or wear masks outdoors as air quality reached unhealthy to hazardous levels. The National Weather Service said a lingering high pressure system has trapped the smoke close to the ground. The Philadelphia region experienced smoky and hazy skies throughout the day.
The game start was moved from the originally scheduled 7:10 p.m.
ET. This marks the second time wildfire smoke has affected a game in Philadelphia. In June 2023, a game between Detroit and the home team was postponed due to poor air quality from Canadian wildfires. Poor air quality also forced the Major League Soccer game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the home team at Soldier Field in Chicago, along with a scheduled postgame concert, to be postponed.
The match, expected to draw 40,000 fans, will be made up on Oct. 6.
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