Crawford’s appearance in his new position against the Giants at Rickwood Field was covered by NBC Sports Bay Area.
Brandon Crawford is in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals’ game against the Giants on Thursday at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, but the longtime San Francisco star won’t be playing shortstop in his first game against his former team.
Crawford will start at third base for the first time in his 14-year MLB career, while Cardinals rookie Masin Winn will play shortstop as he has done all season.
In a pregame interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Laura Britt and Alex Pavlovich, Crawford was asked whether he was more nervous about facing the Giants or playing third base for the first time.
“Probably third base,” Crawford said. “I was more looking forward to playing against the Giants. Third base is a little nerve-wracking because I’ve never done it before. I think when I get to run it, it’ll feel the same way I did when I pitched last year because I’ve never done it on this stage before. I’ve been hitting a lot of ground balls in batting practice and stuff, so I’m just trying to get myself ready. It’s fun in a way.”
Crawford will bat seventh and fill in for Nolan Arenado, who suffered an elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch in Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins.
Crawford will be playing shortstop for the first time after making 1,541 starts and appearing in 1,631 career games at shortstop.
Crawford, 37, is batting just .190/.292/.310 with two doubles, one home run and two RBIs in 15 games this season.
Nick Ahmed, who signed with the Giants in spring training just before Crawford signed with the Cardinals, will be San Francisco’s starting shortstop.
Giants at Rickwood Field: Wisely 2B, Ramos CF, Bailey C, Chapman 3B, Conforto LF, Soler DH, Flores 1B, Yastrzemski RF, Ahmed SS, Wynn RHP
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) June 20, 2024
Keaton Wynn (6.66 ERA) will pitch for the Giants, while right-handed pitcher Andre Pallante (4.61 ERA) will start for the Cardinals.
The Giants and Cardinals play at Rickwood Field as a tribute to the Negro Leagues.
Giants legend Willie Mays, who died Tuesday at age 93, began his professional career playing for the Birmingham Black Barons at Rickwood.
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