Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves legends Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones unveil Speedway Classic trophy
Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench and Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones unveil the Speedway Classic trophy in Bristol, Tennessee.
Spencer Strider, scheduled to start the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway, was scratched because of a lengthy rain delay.
Lefty Austin Cox started in place of Strider.
Reds scheduled starter Chase Burns did make the start for Cincinnati after a delay, tossing one inning, striking out two and throwing 18 pitches.
The team also announced before the game that Miguel Andujar would start in left field instead of Gavin Lux. Andujar was coming up in the bottom of the 1st inning with runners on first and second and one run in when play was suspended.
Reds manager Terry Francona told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal during the delay that the team might have to make adjustments given that Burns warmed up before the rain resumed.
“The unfortunate thing is (Burns) got loose,” Francona said during the broadcast. “We’re gonna have to make some adjustments. I hope he can (pitch). This is our young kid. We’ll talk about it (with pitching coach Derek Johnson). … We’ll go figure something out.”