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, as it was the venue where Willie Mays made his professional debut in 1948. This week's game takes on an added layer of significance, with the recent passing of Willie Mays.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, having lost four of their last six games. They currently hold a 36-39 record and are just one game out of the third NL wild-card spot. Starting pitcher Keaton Winn had a promising start to the season, finishing April with three solid outings. However, he has struggled mightily since then, posting a 13.02 ERA across his last five starts. Despite these struggles, he managed a quality start in his last outing against the Angels.The Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season. They recently rose above .500 for the first time since early in the season and have a 36-37 record. However, the team is coming off two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins. The Cardinals are currently 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, who started the season as a reliever, has transitioned to the rotation and made only four starts so far. He averages just 4 1/3 innings per start with a 3.63 ERA. In his last outing, Pallante threw just 59 pitches, which could potentially strain the Cardinals' bullpen.Prediction
Major League Baseball is expected to put together a poignant 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 is expected to make Rickwood Field a hitter-friendly environment. Little is known about the ballpark's modern-day characteristics, but given the conditions, a high-scoring affair is anticipated. With both starting pitchers in subpar form and the bullpens taxed, a slugfest is likely. 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."