​Can Phillies play Mets today? How air quality, AQI, wildfire smoke impact potential postponement in Philadelphia originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are scheduled to play Thursday night to bring Major League Baseball back from the All-Star Break.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe air quality in Philadelphia, though, has raised questions about the safety of playing an MLB game in the conditions or whether a postponement could be considered.Wildfires in northern Minnesota and across the Canadian border are having their smoke blown across the wind throughout the northeast, and it’s creating various smoky and hazy conditions in a number of major cities.Philadelphia is getting at least some of the impact of the smoke, which impacts the AQI (Air Quality Index).The Phillies did postpone a game in 2023 due to poor air quality, so it’s not unprecedented.MORE: How Jordan Walker overcame the bust labelAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs of Thursday morning, the game is still on as scheduled, and this is a call that will likely be made by MLB one way or another.As of 9:45 a.m., the AQI in Philadelphia was listed as 171 — which is in the “unhealthy” category for all groups, not just sensitive groups (which is 101-150).Anything above 200 starts to raise legitimate concern, and so a decision on the game could depend on the way the AQI trends throughout the day.There’s both the matter of the risk to players and coaches, but also to thousands of fans who want to come and watch the game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe league could also be trying to anticipate whether the air will be better or worse throughout the weekend, which has a further impact on scheduling.On paper, the Phillies and Mets certainly can play. But should they? That’s the decision everyone will be trying to make.Rintaro Sasaki has a big choice to make between MLB and NPBCC Sabathia’s son gets drafted by one of his former teamsAfter 9 years in the minor leagues, a magical moment for Tigers catcherHow Rays turned Tim Beckham bust draft pick into Junior CamineroBarry Bonds’ nephew has a chance to be key pick in 2026 MLB Draft