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 Willie Mays made his professional debut in 1948. This week's game takes on extra significance following the news of Willie Mays' passing earlier.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. Keaton Winn, who had a promising start to the season, concluded April with three solid outings but has struggled mightily since then. He has posted a 13.02 ERA across his last five starts, although he managed a quality start in his last outing against the Angels.The Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance, recently rising above .500 for the first time since early in the season. Despite this, they had two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins and currently hold a 36-37 record. 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, who started the season as a reliever before transitioning to the rotation, has made only four starts so far. He averages just 4 1/3 innings per start with a 3.63 ERA. His last outing saw him throw just 59 pitches, which could strain the Cardinals' bullpen.Prediction
Major League Baseball will likely have a pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays. Such tributes are expected to 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 of an enigma, 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 the 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.