The Cincinnati Reds took center stage at the Speedway Classic, an unusual MLB event held at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. The game was supposed to showcase baseball in a unique setting, but bad weather and sudden schedule changes turned it into a logistical headache.
From rain delays to losing key players, Cincinnati’s road forward has gotten more precarious after their participation. The event also reignited talk about Nashville as a possible MLB expansion city.
The Rain Delays That Derailed Plans
This was supposed to be an innovative moment for Major League Baseball, but it quickly spiraled into an organizational nightmare for the Reds. The game at Bristol Motor Speedway, over 300 miles from Cincinnati, was hit by two rain delays before getting suspended entirely.
The suspension forced a rescheduled conclusion on August 3. Now, the Reds face an even tighter travel schedule as they head into crucial divisional games.
The Immediate Impact on Cincinnati’s Pitching Staff
The Reds had high hopes, especially with Chase Burns on the mound for his much-anticipated start. Burns pitched a scoreless first inning, but the suspension means he’ll be less available for future games.
Losing Burns leaves Cincinnati short-handed in their pitching rotation, which is a problem as they get ready for the Cubs and Pirates.
Manager Terry Francona didn’t hold back when asked about the disruptions. He recognized the value of a high-profile event but admitted frustration at losing innings from Burns and a much-needed rest day for the bullpen.
The Reds scrambled to make roster adjustments to handle the extra strain.
Roster Shakeups Add to the Complexity
To shore up their pitching, Cincinnati called up Lyon Richardson, a young prospect, for the rescheduled game. But this move meant optioning outfielder Will Benson—who’d been playing well—to Triple-A Louisville.
The Consequences of Sending Benson Down
Benson’s demotion added another twist to the Reds’ roster management. By MLB rules, he has to stay in Louisville for at least 10 days unless an injury creates an opening.
This shuffles the offensive lineup just as the team faces pivotal games that could shape their playoff chances.
Benson has been a big part of Cincinnati’s success, but the Reds put pitching depth first after the Speedway Classic’s scheduling mess. Losing both an off-day in Chicago and bullpen rest really shows how much playing in Tennessee threw off their routine.
The Bright Side: A Record-Breaking Crowd and Growing Baseball’s Reach
Despite all this, Reds players tried to keep a positive outlook. The Speedway Classic drew an MLB-record crowd, shining a spotlight on baseball in Tennessee—a state still waiting for its own pro team.
The event stirred excitement about the possibility of Major League Baseball expanding into Nashville, an idea that’s catching on with fans and league executives.
What Nashville’s Expansion Would Mean for MLB
If MLB adds a team in Nashville, it could bring fresh energy to the sport and help baseball gain ground in a region that’s mostly about football. For the Reds, though, this event really showed how growing the game sometimes comes with headaches.
The players appreciated the massive crowd and the novelty of playing at a raceway, even if the logistics were, honestly, a bit of a mess.
The Playoff Push Made Harder
Looking ahead, the Reds face some real challenges as their playoff hopes hang by a thread. The Speedway Classic, meant to be a celebration, forced the team into tough choices.
Now they’re staring down critical divisional games with a reshuffled roster and no off-day. Pitching is scarce thanks to delays nobody saw coming.
Cincinnati has to regroup for what’s left of the season, dealing with all the logistical mess this ambitious MLB event created. The whole experience at Bristol Motor Speedway might just spark more wild ideas to grow the game in places like Tennessee.
The Speedway Classic will stick in Cincinnati’s memory this season—equal parts challenge and celebration. Will the Reds rise above it? That’s the real question, and it could decide if this moment ends up a stepping stone or just another costly distraction on their postseason push.
Here is the source article for this story: How delayed Speedway Classic made Reds playoff road more difficult
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