Oakland @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 4, 2015 ) San Francisco 2, Oakland 1

The San Francisco Giants return home from a successful road trip to take on the Bay Area-rival Oakland Athletics on Friday in the opener of their three-game interleague series. San Francisco came out of the All-Star break strong, going 5-1 on its trek that concluded with a 7-1 triumph at San Diego on Wednesday.

The Giants' offense has been running on all cylinders since the break as it totaled 34 runs, scoring six or more in four of their six contests. Oakland began life after Scott Kazmir with a 5-2 loss to Toronto on Thursday. Kazmir, who was scheduled to start that contest, instead was traded to American League West rival Houston for a pair of prospects after going 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 outings this year. The Athletics reside in the basement of the AL West while San Francisco trails first-place Los Angeles by three games in the National League West.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jesse Chavez (5-9, 3.21 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jake Peavy (1-4, 4.94)

Chavez snapped his three-start losing streak in impressive fashion Sunday, scattering three hits while striking out nine in six scoreless innings against Minnesota. The 31-year-old Californian surrendered a total of 11 runs and 22 hits over 17 frames during his slide. Chavez is 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA in five career games (one start) versus San Francisco.

Peavy lost his first four starts of the season before ending the skid at Arizona on Saturday despite yielding four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. The 34-year-old native of Alabama pitched better in his previous two outings, giving up a total of four runs - three earned - and nine hits over 13 1/3 frames. Peavy owns a 1-1 record and 2.53 ERA in three career starts against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics won three of the four meetings last season, outscoring the Giants 17-2 in the process.

2. Oakland DH Billy Butler is a .424 lifetime hitter against Peavy with three homers and eight RBIs.

3. San Francisco is 6-3 in interleague play this year while Oakland is 5-2.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Giants 3