Mets vs. Phillies Game Time Moved Due to Air Quality Concerns from Canadian Wildfires

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies will kick off the second half of the 2026 MLB season earlier than initially expected.

The Phillies announced that Thursday's game at Citizens Bank Park has been moved up from 7:10 p.m. ET to 6:10 p.m. ET due to "air quality concerns for later this evening" from the recent wildfires in Canada.

According to the air quality data site AirNow.gov, the air quality in Philadelphia is deemed "unhealthy."

Dorany Pineda and Jacqueline Ganun of the Associated Press explained that more than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, and winds are carrying the smoke southeast. It was also noted that "about four dozen large fires are currently burning across 15 states, from Minnesota and North Carolina to Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and California, according to the National Interagency Fire Center."

The best way to avoid unhealthy air conditions is to stay indoors, but it doesn't appear that MLB is considering postponing Thursday night's game. The league completed its All-Star break this week with the American League defeating the National League 4-0 in the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday.

The Phillies rank second in the NL East with a 54-43 record, sitting two games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves (55-40). The Mets have the second-worst record in the National League at 40-57.

The players will certainly be hoping conditions don't worsen while Thursday's game is being played, but the unpredictable weather could make its presence felt.