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Mariners vs Athletics: Games continue in Seattle despite degrading air quality, worried fans say 'it's lethal'

The poor air quality is a result of the wildfire crisis that's engulfed California, Colorado and the Pacific Northwest and it has resulted in a dense fog-like blanket

The MLB might have managed to work their way around coronavirus but they saw another obstacle in the form of the wildfire crisis that's engulfed California, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest. Seattle Mariners' tussle with Oakland Athletics was played under degrading air quality as the conditions looked hazy. This raised concerns on social media as fans were worried about the effect this may have on the players out on the field.

"I’m not one to overreact about environmental factors in sports but like how did MLB allow that game in Seattle to be played tonight????? Playing in that air quality is 5x more dangerous to those players than this pandemic. Ridiculous they allowed them to play there," reckoned one of the fans.

The thoughts were seconded. "Hey, @MLB, I love baseball. And I understand wanting to get games in with a short season, but there is no f***ing reason the A’s and Mariners should be playing a doubleheader in Seattle right now. The air quality is lethal there right now," read a tweet.

"Anyone curious about a Seattle WA air quality update should tune into Mariners-LA Angels live from T-Mobile Park, SoDo Seattle right now Roof is closed Looks like they’ve been shooting off fireworks between every inning Can’t believe they’re playing," a comment read.

Those watching the game would have noticed how a dense fog-like blanket enveloped Safeco Field. According to a CBS Sports report. Oakland's starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo felt he shouldn't be gasping for air or missing oxygen. "I'm a healthy 22-year-old. I shouldn't be gasping for air or missing oxygen. I'll leave it at that," he said.

Game 2 is currently in progress after the Athletics lost the first game. The news of the fires comes across as devastating as they have burned roughly 4.6M acres in 10 states. Quite simply, the Air Quality Index threshold is 200, but according to one of the fans, the number read 322. Fans and the players will surely be hoping for some alternate arrangements to be made as these pose potential health risks.