Pirates, Guardians Delay Second Game of Doubleheader

Jul 11, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) circles the bases on a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pirates, Guardians Delay Second Game of Doubleheader

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Noah Strackbein | Last updated Jul 18, 2026 6:44 PM ET

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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will begin in a rain delay as they take on the Cleveland Guardians in the second game of a weekend doubleheader. The two teams were originally set to play a game on Friday but had to postpone it due to the air quality. They're now pushing it back due to rain.

The city of Cleveland, like much of the surrounding cities, was covered in a fog of smoke due to the wild fires in Canada. With the poor air quality reaching extreme numbers, the Friday matchup with postponed and rescheduled as a doubleheader on Saturday.

The two teams got through the first game, with the Pirates winning 7-1. Now, in their second game, which was originally scheduled for 7:10 P.M. Eastern Time has now been pushed back.

The team has not yet announced a time for first pitch but will continue to provide updates as weather reports become clearer.

Tonight’s game will begin in a delay.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 18, 2026

The Pirates are taking a different approach with their second game of the day, going with a bullpen approach with their pitching. The team decided to move Braxton Ashcraft to Monday and will start Mason Montgomery on the mound. The lefty holds a 4.14 ERA with four starts and 38 appearances this season.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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