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 Willie Mays made his professional debut there in 1948. Unfortunately, Willie Mays passed away earlier this week, adding a poignant note to what is already an historic occasion.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. They lost four of their last six games and hold a 36-39 record. Despite their struggles, they are only one game out of the third NL wild-card spot. Keaton Winn, the Giants' probable starting pitcher, had a promising start to the season, finishing April with three solid outings. However, he has struggled mightily since, posting a 13.02 ERA across his last five starts. Despite this, he managed a quality start in his last outing against the Angels, which could provide a glimmer of hope for the Giants.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 but had two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins, leaving them with a 36-37 record. They 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 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 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 the ballpark's characteristics remain an enigma. Given the subpar form of both starting pitchers and the 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."