Oakland @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 28, 2013 ) San Francisco 3, Oakland 6

After sweeping the first half of the Bay Bridge Series, the red-hot Oakland Athletics head to AT&T Park on Wednesday in search of their sixth straight victory. They’ll face a San Francisco Giants team which is thrilled to be home after struggling on the road, where they've lost five in a row. The Athletics begin the two-game series having won 10 of their last 11 games to move 2 1/2 games behind first-place Texas in the American League West.

Oakland’s starting pitchers have been a key part of the recent surge, going 7-1 with a 2.34 ERA over the last 11 games. The Giants are still waiting for their vaunted rotation to round into form and are also hoping third baseman Pablo Sandoval rediscovers his swing at home. The third baseman has two hits in his last 21 at-bats, dropping his average from .308 to .286. The Giants have lost four of the six games during Sandoval’s slump.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (3-4, 4.75 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Tommy Milone (3-5, 5.19)

Lincecum has lost four of his last five decisions while allowing 10 runs over his last 12 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander was 5-1 with a 1.38 ERA in his first seven starts against Oakland before giving up seven earned runs in two starts against the Athletics last season. Chris Young is 8-for-51 with 17 strikeouts against Lincecum, who has walked 27 batters in 60 2/3 innings.

While Lincecum has battled control problems, Milone has issued 12 walks in 64 innings. The 26-year-old is set to make his first career appearance against the Giants. He has struggled early in games this season, allowing 10 of his 31 runs in the first inning. Milone gave up five runs over seven innings Friday against Houston, when he left with a no-decision after the Athletics rallied for a 6-5 victory.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants have won 10 of the last 12 games against the Athletics at AT&T Park.

2. Milone has received three runs of support or fewer in each of his last seven starts.

3. San Francisco CF Angel Pagan has missed the last three games with bursitis and is listed as day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Athletics 3