Pirates-Guardians game postponed as wildfire smoke hits Cleveland

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians did not play as planned Friday night in Cleveland after air quality concerns forced the game to be postponed, ESPN News Services reported.

The issue was wildfire smoke tied to fires in Canada and northern Minnesota, according to the report, which cited information from The Associated Press. The smoke has left northeast Ohio under smoky, hazy skies for two days.

The teams are now scheduled to play a split doubleheader Saturday. The first game is set for 1:10 p.m. ET, followed by the second at 7:10 p.m. ET.

Smoke spreads across the region

The postponement came as thick wildfire smoke affected a broad stretch of the United States, from the Great Lakes into parts of the East Coast, according to The Associated Press.

The AP reported that the smoke darkened skies, cut visibility and led to warnings that breathing outdoor air could be dangerous. Cleveland was among the places dealing with the smoky conditions as the Guardians prepared to host Pittsburgh.

Major League Baseball moved the game rather than send the Pirates and Guardians onto the field under the poor air conditions. The league’s revised Saturday schedule keeps the series in Cleveland, with several hours between the two games.

Baseball schedule already felt the haze

The smoke also affected the MLB schedule a day earlier in Philadelphia. ESPN reported that Thursday night’s New York Mets game against the Philadelphia Phillies was moved up one hour, from 7:10 p.m. ET to 6:10 p.m. ET.

The Mets won that game 4-1. It was the only game on the major league schedule as teams returned from the All-Star break, according to ESPN.

Friday’s postponement added another weather-related wrinkle to baseball’s restart after the break, with the Pirates and Guardians now facing a full Saturday at the ballpark instead of a single Friday night matchup.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.