The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds faced off at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, marking a significant moment as it represented the first Major League Baseball game played in the state of Tennessee. Initially scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. ET, the contest was delayed due to inclement weather, leading to a lengthy rain delay before the game finally commenced at 9:40 p.m. ET.

Unfortunately, the game was halted shortly after its beginning, as the Braves and Reds were unable to complete a full inning before play was suspended again due to weather conditions. As the delay continued, Major League Baseball announced that the remainder of the game would be played on Sunday, resuming at 1 p.m. ET. In the opening moments of the game, Cincinnati's Chase Burns took the mound and delivered a scoreless first inning. Atlanta's pitcher, Austin Cox, faced four batters before the suspension, managing to strike out TJ Friedl but allowing Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and Austin Hays to reach base, with Hays driving in McLain to establish a 1-0 lead for the Reds.

The event featured a pregame introduction by actor Liam Neeson and showcased a vibrant atmosphere, with players donning special uniforms and accessories. Notable musicians Tim McGraw and Pitbull performed a concert prior to the game and met with the Reds in their clubhouse. Notably, All-Star starting pitcher Andrew Abbott attended wearing a sleeveless race suit that was autographed by NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace. In a unique pre-game experience, players from both teams were driven around the track, and starting lineup introductions incorporated a NASCAR theme. While Bristol Motor Speedway typically accommodates 146,000 for NASCAR events, a portion of the seats were covered for this occasion. Nevertheless, over 85,000 tickets were sold, creating a lively atmosphere. Reds manager Terry Francona expressed his admiration for the ballpark's construction, noting its appealing layout. The matchup was particularly crucial for Cincinnati as they sought to improve their position, sitting 3.5 games behind the final National League wild card spot and 8.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central standings, while the Braves held a record of 46-63.