San Francisco @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2014 ) San Francisco 4, Arizona 5

The San Francisco Giants gave 38-year-old Tim Hudson a two-year contract worth $23 million in the offseason and they'll begin to find out if it was a good investment when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third of a four-game series. Hudson, who along with the New York Yankees' CC Sabathia leads active pitchers with 205 victories, makes his first start since suffering a season-ending ankle injury with the Atlanta Braves last July. Chase Field could be an excellent venue for Hudson, who is 4-1 with a 1.87 ERA in six starts in Phoenix while not allowing a home run in the hitter-friendly park.

Arizona gives the ball to Trevor Cahill, who was roughed up in his 2014 debut by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Australia. The Diamondbacks rallied from a four-run deficit to avoid their first 0-4 start since 1999 with a 5-4 victory Tuesday as first baseman Paul Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 23 games and A.J. Pollock went 3-for-4 after going 0-for-13 in the previous three games. Giants first baseman Brandon Belt homered for the second straight game and is 5-for-9 to start the season.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN Arizona Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: RH Tim Hudson (2013: 8-7, 3.97 ERA) vs. RH Trevor Cahill (0-1, 11.25)

Hudson posted a 4.26 ERA in six spring training outings while yielding 25 hits, 11 walks and striking out 18 in 25 1/3 innings. The Columbus, Ga., native is 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .214 batting average against in 11 starts against the Diamondbacks, but allowed nine runs and 13 hits in 10 2/3 innings covering two starts against Arizona in 2013. Goldschmidt and Miguel Montero are a combined 6-for-24 with six strikeouts and an RBI against Hudson.

Cahill allowed five runs, eight hits and four walks in four innings of Arizona's 7-5 loss to Los Angeles in the second Australia game last weekend while struggling with command. The 26-year-old Oceanside, Calif., native is 5-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 11 starts against San Francisco, including 1-1 with a 5.48 in four starts last season. The Giants' roster is hitting .303 against Cahill, who has especially struggled with Marco Scutaro (6-for-18, five RBIs, eight walks) and Pablo Sandoval (8-for-22).

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona SS Chris Owings is 6-for-16 while Goldschmidt is 8-for-18.

2. San Francisco RF Hunter Pence is hitless in eight at-bats.

3. The Giants play their first 22 games against National League West opponents before hosting Cleveland in a three-game series beginning April 25.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Diamondbacks 2