Pirates vs. Guardians Game Postponed, Makeup Date Announced
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates were looking to get the second half of the 2026 season underway, but won't get to do that just yet.
The Cleveland Guardians announced that they postponed the series opener at Progressive Field vs. the Pirates on July 17 due to poor air conditions in the area.
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.
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.
Why the Pirates and Guardians Can't Play Today
Wildfires from Ontario, Canada have produced smoke that has traveled down to the northern United States, impacting the Cleveland area.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pirates History of Delays, Postponenments This Season
It is the first postponement or delay for the Pirates on the road this season, with all the others coming at home.
This makes it back-to-back weeks with a postponement for the Pirates, who saw their series opener vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 10 cancelled due to heavy rain and a doubleheader take place the next day on July 11.
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.
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.
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.
Big Series Between Pirates and Guardians
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.
It puts the Pirates in great position to continue making progress in their quest for their first postseason since 2015.
Jared Jones and Braxton Ashcraft will start the first game and second game of the doubleheader tomorrow, while Paul Skenes takes the mound for the Pirates in the series finale on July 19.
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.
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.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.