​Can Brewers play the Marlins today? How air quality, AQI, and wildfire smoke could affect a potential postponement in Milwaukee originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Milwaukee Brewers are scheduled to host the Miami Marlins on Friday night as MLB resumes after the All-Star Break.
Wildfires raging in northern Minnesota and across the Canadian border have not created safe air quality (AQI) levels in Wisconsin, with smoke and haze lingering throughout the state. In the past, Major League Baseball has postponed games due to poor air quality, so a postponement on Friday is within the realm of possibility. The situation in Milwaukee is a bit more nuanced because American Family Field features a retractable roof. Technically, the Brewers could play the Marlins on Friday by closing the roof and attempting to get the game in.
However, the reality is more complex on several fronts. If any of the bad air has seeped inside before the roof is closed, there would be no place for it to escape, which could compromise air quality inside the stadium. Additionally, there are concerns about how the conditions would affect players, coaching staff, and any fans traveling to the game in poor air.
As of early Friday morning, Milwaukee’s AQI was reported to be above 400, a level considered very hazardous. The forecast, though, indicated a potential change in wind patterns that could push the smoke away, with projections suggesting the AQI by first pitch could drop below 100. If that improvement holds, playing the game would be feasible.
Because the air quality starts the day so severely, even modest shifts in wind direction could dramatically alter the likelihood of the Brewers taking the field Friday night, making it an event worth monitoring closely throughout the day. The evolving air conditions and the possibility of a late decision will be critical factors for fans and teams alike as the night approaches.