Cleveland @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2011 ) San Francisco 8, Cleveland 5

THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians have enjoyed interleague play so far, but that could change dramatically when they begin a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Friday at AT&T Park. Cleveland is 7-2 against National League teams, but all those games were played at home. The Indians' next nine games will be under NL rules where there will be no designated hitter and the pitchers will have to swing the bat. The Giants, who are 5-1 against American League teams, took two of three from Minnesota, including Thursday's 2-1 win in which Tim Lincecum struck out 12 in seven innings.

TV: 10:15 ET, STO (Cleveland), NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 3.87 ERA) vs. Giants LH Jonathan Sanchez (4-5, 3.71 ERA)

Carrasco came into the season as a major question mark but has been pitching like an ace. He has won six of his last seven starts in lowering his ERA by nearly two runs. He has given up one earned run in his last three starts over 21 1/3 innings, including two 1-0 victories.

A lack of control has been Sanchez's biggest problem. He's walked 53 in 86 innings, which has offset his 85 strikeouts. Sanchez hasn't won since June 2. He won his only career start against the Indians, allowing one run and striking out eight in 7 2/3 innings in 2008. Orlando Cabrera is 5-for-9 with four doubles lifetime against Sanchez.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (40-33): Travis Hafner knows how to go out on a high note. In the last game he'll start until July 4, Cleveland's DH belted a two-run homer in a 4-3 win over Colorado. Hafner, who has homered in two of the last three games, will be relegated to pinch-hitting duties for the next nine games, which is bad news for the Indians' offense that has trouble scoring runs even when his big bat is in the lineup. Cleveland must do better than the 2-7 record it stumbled to on a similar trip in 2010. The games actually matter for the Indians, who lead Detroit by a game in the AL Central.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (41-34): San Francisco has won two in a row following a season-high five-game losing streak. The Giants have managed to stay in the NL West race despite losing catcher Buster Posey and second baseman Freddy Sanchez to injuries, but the offense has taken a hit. The Giants scored nine runs in their losing streak and rank near the bottom in nearly every offensive category in the NL. Even though San Francisco has one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, the offense must pick up its production.

FINAL PITCH: Giants closer Brian Wilson gave up a run in the ninth Thursday - snapping his 15 1/3 scoreless innings streak - but still recorded his 21st save in 23 chances.