​Grounds crew members pull the tarp across the field during a rain delay in the sixth inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to wait one more day to begin the second half of their season after Friday night’s scheduled matchup against the Cleveland Guardians was postponed because of poor air quality conditions in Cleveland.
The Pirates and Guardians were originally set to open their series Friday evening at Progressive Field, but unsafe air quality in the area forced Major League Baseball to push the game back. The postponement comes as smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires continues to affect parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes region, creating unhealthy conditions across several cities, including Cleveland.
Friday’s postponed game has been rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on Saturday at Progressive Field. The makeup game between the Pirates and Guardians is scheduled to begin at 1:10 p.m. ET. The originally scheduled Saturday game will still be played later in the day, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. ET.
The decision to postpone the Pirates-Guardians game was made with player, staff and fan safety in mind. As of early Friday evening, Cleveland’s air quality index had climbed to 207, a level classified as “very unhealthy.” At that range, health officials recommend limiting outdoor activity, particularly for people with respiratory issues, older adults and children. Professional athletes are also impacted by these conditions, especially in a sport like baseball, where players can spend several hours outside over the course of a game.
Air quality has been an ongoing issue throughout the summer due to wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada. Several sporting events across the United States have been delayed, postponed or closely monitored because of similar conditions. For the Pirates, the latest postponement adds another scheduling adjustment to what has already been a busy stretch.
Saturday’s doubleheader in Cleveland will mark the Pirates’ second doubleheader in the span of a week. Pittsburgh also played two games against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park last Saturday after a Friday matchup was postponed because of rain. That game was delayed by weather, while this latest schedule change is tied to environmental concerns caused by wildfire smoke.
The Pirates will now face a quick turnaround as they prepare to play two games in one day against the Guardians. Split doubleheaders can create added challenges for pitching staffs, managers and bullpens, especially when teams are already navigating a long regular-season schedule. Pittsburgh will need to balance its pitching plans carefully as it looks to get through both games on Saturday.
For fans planning to attend the Pirates vs. Guardians series at Progressive Field, the revised schedule means baseball will begin early Saturday afternoon and continue into the evening. The first game, which serves as the makeup for Friday’s postponed contest, will start at 1:10 p.m. ET. The second game remains scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
The postponement also delays the Pirates’ return to action following the break, pushing their first game of the second half to Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh will look to reset and build momentum when play resumes against Cleveland.
The Guardians, meanwhile, will also have to adjust their weekend plans after losing Friday’s opener. With two games now set for Saturday, both clubs will be tested in terms of depth, endurance and roster management.
Major League Baseball will continue to monitor air quality conditions in Cleveland and other affected areas as wildfire smoke remains a concern. For now, the Pirates and Guardians are scheduled to make up Friday’s game as part of Saturday’s split doubleheader at Progressive Field.