Weather projections show the smoke clearing the Cleveland area by tomorrow, which is why the Guardians made the following day, July 18, a doubleheader, with the series opener at 1:10 p.m. and then the second game for 7:10 p.m. <\/p>\n
Fans that have a ticket or tickets to tonight’s are able to attend the first game and are able to make an exchange if they can’t attend.<\/p>\n
Why the Pirates and Guardians Can’t Play Today<\/p>\n
Wildfires from Ontario, Canada have produced smoke that has traveled down to the northern United States, impacting the Cleveland area. <\/p>\n
The air quality index (AQI) is currently 242, or “Very Unhealthy” and would make it difficult for both the Pirates and Guardians players to perform at the best of their abilities without getting sick or damaging their lungs.<\/p>\n
![\"Canadian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kxry33pra8jbkz3axp.jpg\" "\\"Canadian")
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The Newburgh Beacon Bridge as seen from Newburgh on July 16, 2026. Canadian wild fires have impacted air quality in the region. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
It’s a problem throughout the eastern part of MLB, as the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park saw their first pitch move up an hour from 7:10 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. on July 16.<\/p>\n
The Toronto Blue Jays are also closing their roof tonight at the Rogers Centre, which will allow them to play their series opener vs. the Chicago White Sox. <\/p>\n
While smoke will likely clear by tomorrow, the threat of severe thunderstorms could delay the next two games between the Pirates and Guardians, so there is a chance this series gets further disrupted by the weather.<\/p>\n
Pirates History of Delays, Postponenments This Season<\/p>\n
It is the first postponement or delay for the Pirates on the road this season, with all the others coming at home. <\/p>\n
This makes it back-to-back weeks with a postponement for the Pirates, who saw their series opener vs. the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> at PNC Park on July 10 cancelled due to heavy rain and a doubleheader<\/a> take place the next day on July 11.<\/p>\n It marked back-to-back games for the Pirates with a rain delay, as they waited 35 minutes with some storms vs. the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning on July 9, before resuming play. <\/p>\n Jun 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Members of the grounds crew squeegee water in the outfield after a eighth inning rain delay between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n The Pirates also had a couple rain delays vs. the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on June 27 and June 28, which marked almost two months without a delay, which last came vs. the Reds on May 1.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh also had a long rain delay vs. the Tampa Bay Rays on April 18, which ended up lasting two-and-a-half hours, due to severe thunderstorms.<\/p>\n Big Series Between Pirates and Guardians<\/p>\n Pittsburgh and Milwaukee did go through with the doubleheader and other games in the series with no interruptions and the home team got a big sweep to end the first half 50-47 overall and two games back in the National League Wild Card<\/a>.<\/p>\n It puts the Pirates in great position to continue making progress in their quest for their first postseason since 2015.<\/p>\n Jul 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales (3) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Jared Jones and Braxton Ashcraft will start the first game and second game of the doubleheader tomorrow, while Paul Skenes takes the mound<\/a> for the Pirates in the series finale on July 19.<\/p>\n The Pirates have one of the best offenses in baseball, but come up against a strong Guardians rotation in right-handed pitchers Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee, plus left-handed pitcher Joey Cantillo, who all have a sub-4.00 ERA.<\/p>\n If the Pirates can get their offense going against a strong Guardians pitching staff, they’ll keep gaining ground in the NL Wild Card chase. <\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kxry9k16d7rd4v8myc.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kxrz4a0ex8ycvm0q51.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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