Strider (3-8) was scratched after the inaugural rain delay. He is a Knoxville native and a graduate of Christian Academy of Knoxville. Burns, a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, pitched for Tennessee from 2022-23 before transferring to Wake Forest. He was selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Reds in the 2024 MLB draft.

Former Tennessee pitcher Chase Burns will start for the Reds in the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway. Here’s how the Tennessee native’s rapid rise continues on a national stage.

Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones threw out the ceremonial first pitches on Saturday, alongside NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott. Country superstar Tim McGraw, son of former MLB pitcher Tug McGraw, and Pitbull performed a pre-game concert before players took a lap around the track.