Game Details
Major League Baseball is set to stage 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 this historic ballpark. Rickwood Field holds a special place in baseball history; Willie Mays made his professional debut there in 1948. Sadly, Willie Mays passed away earlier this week, adding a layer of poignancy to the upcoming game.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 enter this game with a mixed record. They have lost four of their last six games and currently hold a 36-39 record. This places them just one game out of the third NL wild-card spot. Keaton Winn, who had a promising start to 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, though he did manage a quality start in his last outing against the Angels.The Cardinals
On the other side, the St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance. They recently rose above .500 for the first time since early in the season, now holding a 36-37 record. Despite two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins, they have managed to stay competitive. They are 7.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central and are tied with the Nationals for the second and third wild-card spots. Andre Pallante started the season as a reliever but transitioned to the rotation and has made only four starts so far. He averages just 4 1/3 innings per start with a respectable 3.63 ERA, but his last outing saw him throw just 59 pitches. This could potentially strain the Cardinals' bullpen.Prediction
Major League Baseball is expected to hold a pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and 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. While the ballpark's characteristics remain somewhat enigmatic, 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 are likely to 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."