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 this historic ballpark. Rickwood Field holds a special place in baseball history as the venue where Willie Mays made his professional debut in 1948. The timing of this game comes poignantly close, as Mays passed away 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: 9.0
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. Despite recent struggles, they are just 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. On a positive note, he managed a quality start in his last outing against the Angels, which may boost his confidence heading into Thursday’s game.The Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance this season. They recently rose above .500 for the first time since early in the season, though they have also experienced two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins. With a 36-37 record, the Cardinals 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 started the season as a reliever but transitioned to the 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 just 59 pitches, which can put additional strain on the Cardinals' bullpen.Prediction
Major League Baseball is sure to put together a poignant pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays. Such tributes are likely 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. The ballpark's characteristics remain an enigma, 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 look to capitalize on the favorable hitting conditions.Prediction: Giants 8, Cardinals 7