Photo: Devon Alexander throws out first pitch for Cardinals

Devon Alexander threw out the first pitch on Father's Day for his hometown St. Louis Cardinals, six days ahead of his return to the ring this Saturday on Showtime, where he'll face tough veteran Jesus Soto Karass in a welterweight fight from Carson, California.

Alexander (25-2, 14 KO) is coming off of a truly convincing loss to Shawn Porter last December on Showtime, when he dropped the IBF welterweight title at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. While Soto Karass (28-9-3, 18 KO) may not have the prettiest record, he's a rugged guy who can punch, and is never an easy out.

For Alexander, a former titlist at 140 as well as 147, to stay in the welterweight mix, he has to win on Saturday night. There's no other outcome for him that is acceptable, particularly given the fact that he will be the solid favorite, too.

As for the Cardinals, they beat the Washington Nationals on Sunday, 5-2, completing a three-game sweep.