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 site where the legendary Willie Mays made his professional debut in 1948. Tragically, Willie Mays passed away earlier this week, making this game even more poignant.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 hold a 36-39 record and are one game out of the third NL wild-card spot. 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 his recent performance issues, he did manage a quality start in his last outing against the Angels.The Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance and recently rose above .500 for the first time since early in the season. They experienced two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins, which was a setback for them. Currently, they have a 36-37 record and are 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 began the season as a reliever but transitioned to the starting rotation. He has made only four starts so far, averaging just 4 1/3 innings per start with a 3.63 ERA. His last outing saw him throw only 59 pitches, which could put a strain on the Cardinals' bullpen.Prediction
Major League Baseball is expected to host a pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays, which 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, and while the ballpark's characteristics remain somewhat of an enigma, the conditions suggest a high-scoring affair. Considering the subpar form of both starting pitchers and the already 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."