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Wildfire Smoke Forces Early Start, Soto Exits, Mets Trade-Bound

7/17/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The game started early because wildfire smoke from Canada lowered Philadelphia’s air quality.
Juan Soto left the Mets’ 4–1 win with left calf soreness and is expected to return this weekend.
The Mets, last in the NL East, are expected to be sellers at the August 3 trade deadline, keeping only a few young stars.

History

Historical Context

In July 2015, smoke from massive Canadian wildfires forced the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies to cancel two games each, with EPA monitors recording PM2.5 above 150 µg/m³ in Philadelphia. Similar plume conditions returned in June 2023, when Quebec fires drove AQI over 400 across the Northeast, highlighting a climate-driven rise in wildfire smoke that now repeatedly disrupts MLB scheduling.

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Story summary

The game started early because wildfire smoke from Canada lowered Philadelphia’s air quality.
Juan Soto left the Mets’ 4–1 win with left calf soreness and is expected to return this weekend.
The Mets, last in the NL East, are expected to be sellers at the August 3 trade deadline, keeping only a few young stars.

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