On Saturday night, the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds faced off at Bristol Motor Speedway, marking the first official MLB game held in the state of Tennessee. Originally scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. ET, the game experienced significant weather-related delays, ultimately starting at 9:40 p.m. ET. However, the matchup was short-lived, as play was once again interrupted before a full inning could be completed. Following another rain delay, Major League Baseball announced that the remainder of the game would be rescheduled for Sunday, with play set to resume at 1 p.m. ET.

Cincinnati's Chase Burns took the mound and delivered a scoreless first inning. Conversely, Braves pitcher Austin Cox faced four batters during the initial inning before the game was suspended. Cox managed to strike out TJ Friedl but subsequently allowed hits to Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and Austin Hays. Hays's hit resulted in McLain scoring, giving the Reds a 1-0 lead. The game will resume with one out in the bottom of the first inning and runners on first and second base.

The event also included a unique pregame introduction by actor Liam Neeson, and players embraced the special atmosphere by showcasing themed uniforms and accessories. Grammy Award-winning musicians Tim McGraw and Pitbull performed prior to the game and interacted with the Reds in their clubhouse. Notably, All-Star starting pitcher Andrew Abbott wore a sleeveless race suit autographed by NASCAR's 1989 Winston Cup Series champion, Rusty Wallace. Players from both teams were driven around the iconic track before the game commenced. Bristol Motor Speedway typically accommodates 146,000 spectators during NASCAR events; however, for this occasion, portions of the seating were covered, yet a robust crowd of over 85,000 tickets were sold, creating an electrifying environment. Reds manager Terry Francona expressed admiration for the ballpark's design, noting its unique features that enhanced the spectator experience. The matchup holds significant implications for Cincinnati, as the team sits 3.5 games out of the final National League wild card spot with a record of 58-53, while trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 8.5 games in the NL Central. The Braves, conversely, currently occupy the No. 4 position in the NL East with a 46-63 record.