Seattle to leave roof open for Game 3 with Astros despite ‘unhealthy’ air
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Update: Follow our Astros Game 3 live coverage as they look to sweep the Mariners in Seattle.
The Seattle Mariners plan to play Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros on Saturday with the stadium roof open, despite air quality in the area deteriorating due to wildfires east of the city.
According to air quality and pollution rankings on IQAir.com, Seattle had one of the worst air quality index (AQI) rankings of any city in the world as of early Saturday afternoon. With an AQI above 150, Seattle’s air quality is deemed to be “unhealthy.” The retractable roof at T-Mobile Park is “designed to cover but not enclose the ballpark,” according to MLB.com.”
A tweet from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency on Friday—which was shared by the National Weather Service Seattle—stated, “Starting late Fri through Sun night, winds will pick up and King and Snohomish Counties are likely to see steady smoke from the Bolt Creek and White River fires and have air quality that is USG or UNHEALTHY.” Seattle is located in King County.
When air quality is unhealthy, according to airnow.gov, “some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.” USG (unhealthy for sensitive groups) indicates that “members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.”
Game 3 of the ALDS between the Astros and Mariners is scheduled to get underway at 3:07 p.m., with Houston able to close out a sweep with a victory. If the Mariners win, Game 4 will be played Sunday in Seattle, with a 2:07 p.m. first pitch. Game 5, if necessary, would begin Monday at 4:07 p.m. in Houston.