Game Details
Major League Baseball is staging a momentous game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday night. The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals will face off in a regular-season game at the historic ballpark. Rickwood Field holds a special place in baseball history, having been the site where Willie Mays made his professional debut in 1948. The game takes on added poignancy following the recent passing of Mays earlier this week.Game Summary
Who: Giants vs. CardinalsDate: Thursday, June 20
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Rickwood Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
Probable Pitchers: RHP Keaton Winn (3-7, 6.66 ERA) vs. RHP Andre Pallante (2-3, 4.61 ERA)
Odds: SF -115 | STL -105
Over/Under: 90
Storylines
The Giants
The San Francisco Giants come into this game with a mixed record. They have lost four of their last six games and currently hold a 36-39 record, putting them one game out of the third NL wild-card spot. Keaton Winn, who promised so much at the start of the season with three solid outings in April, has struggled mightily since then. He has posted a 13.02 ERA across his last five starts, although he did manage a quality start in his last outing against the Angels.The Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance recently. They rose above .500 for the first time since early in the season, but have also endured two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins. They hold a 36-37 record and are currently 7.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central. They are tied with the Nationals for the second and third wild-card spots. Andre Pallante, who started the season as a reliever, has transitioned to the rotation and has made only four starts so far. He averages just 4 1/3 innings per start with a 3.63 ERA. However, his last outing saw him throw just 59 pitches, which could strain the Cardinals' bullpen during this game.Prediction
Major League Baseball is expected to conduct a pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and the legendary Willie Mays. Such tributes will likely strike an emotional chord and set a reverent tone for the evening. The sweltering weather in Birmingham should make Rickwood Field a hitter-friendly environment. The ballpark's characteristics remain somewhat unknown, but the conditions suggest a high-scoring affair. Given the subpar form of both starting pitchers and the taxed bullpens, a slugfest is anticipated. Expect fireworks as both teams capitalize on favorable hitting conditions.Prediction: Giants 8, Cardinals 7
"Major League Baseball is sure to put together a poignant pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays."