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, most notably for being the venue where Willie Mays made his professional debut in 1948. The game takes on an even more poignant note as it comes shortly after the news of Willie Mays' passing earlier this week.Game Summary
Who: San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis 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, and currently holding a 36-39 record. They are just one game out of the third National League wild-card spot. Keaton Winn started the season with promise, finishing April with three solid outings. However, he has struggled mightily since, posting a 13.02 ERA across his last five starts. Nonetheless, he managed a quality start in his most recent outing against the Angels, offering a glimmer of hope for the Giants.The Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance during the season and recently rose above .500 for the first time since early in the campaign. However, they are coming off two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins. With a 36-37 record, the Cardinals are currently 7.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central and tied with the Nationals for the second and third wild-card spots. Andre Pallante, who started the season as a reliever, transitioned to the rotation and 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 only 59 pitches, which could increase the strain on the Cardinals' bullpen.Prediction
Major League Baseball will likely have a pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays, setting a reverent tone for the evening. The sweltering weather in Birmingham should make Rickwood Field a hitter-friendly environment, with the ballpark's characteristics remaining somewhat of an enigma. These conditions suggest a high-scoring affair, particularly given the subpar form of both starting pitchers and the taxed bullpens. 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.