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The first Major League Baseball game after the All-Star break was played in “unhealthy” weather conditions.
The Philadelphia Phillies hosted the New York Mets as air quality from Canada’s wildfires reached an index of 196 – other areas in the Northeast and Midwest approached 500, which is considered hazardous.
Due to air issues, it was announced around 4 p.m. ET that the match, originally scheduled for 7:10 p.m., would be moved up an hour, which was apparently a good idea.
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The sun shines orange from smoke from Canadian wildfires near the Philadelphia Phillies scoreboard during the fourth inning of a game against the New York Mets on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Philadelphia. (Chris Szagola/AP)
“I didn’t think it was serious until the last two innings. Eyes are itchy, burning a little bit,” Mets infielder Brett Baty said. “[Carson] Benge said it was like sitting by a campfire, right next to a campfire, which was pretty good. It’s fun, but it wasn’t fun to play ball with.”
“At the end of the game it was a little tougher, especially catching,” Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez added through a translator. “It became harder to see at the end.”
Mets pitcher Christian Scott said he “felt like he was breaking metal.”
Bryce Harper was a bit more harsh, saying while on the ESPN broadcast during the game that it was “not the best idea to go out and play in that type of weather.”
Phillies starter Aaron Nola added that the “smoky” conditions were “not ideal.”
The two interim managers, Don Mattingly and Andy Green, didn’t seem to think the air affected the gameplay too much, but Mattingly and Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh credited umpire Dan Iassogna for constantly checking the air quality and making sure the players were OK.
A general view of Citizens Bank Park during the game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies on July 16, 2026, in Philadelphia. The Mets beat the Phillies 4-1. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
TRINITY RODMAN SAYS RECORD-BREAKING NWSL GAME IN NY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLAYED IN BAD AIR
“I felt like it could have [affected the game] at any time, especially as visibility became more difficult,” Green said. “The guys were able to see the baseballs that I couldn’t see as they were going up in the air as pop-ups. Fortunately we have good athletes on the field who can see things. I don’t think that’s ultimately the case, from my point of view.”
In fact, Marsh said the referees would check on the players to see if they were OK and not having any breathing problems.
“Many times,” Marsh said. “They were checking in with us, asking us players what was cool to see, if we were ready to go. And obviously we were all ready to go. That was good of them. I wasn’t expecting that.”
The Phillies did not practice batting practice outside, as Mattingly admitted he wanted to be on the field “as little…as possible.”
The Mets and Phillies are effectively off Friday before resuming their series Saturday, but Mattingly said he hasn’t heard any conversations about moving the game.
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets on July 16, 2026. The Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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An MLS match in Chicago was also postponed on Thursday. The air is expected to improve as the days go by, which looks pretty important for Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
