Oakland @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 2, 2016 ) San Francisco 1, Oakland 4

After taking three of four from the Los Angeles Angels to begin their road trip, the Oakland Athletics wrap it up against one of the hottest teams in baseball as they begin a four-game, home-and-home series against the Giants in San Francisco on Monday. Oakland was in line to sweep the Angels as it held a four-run lead after six innings before surrendering five over the final three frames for a 7-6 defeat.

Coco Crisp hopes to continue providing offense after going 5-for-13 with a grand slam, six RBIs and six runs scored in the series versus Los Angeles. San Francisco has won 14 of its last 17 contests - including the rubber match of its three-game set against visiting Philadelphia on Sunday, when it pounded out 16 hits in an 8-7 walk-off victory. Angel Pagan went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored to extend his hitting streak to seven games while Conor Gillaspie drove in two runs, including the winner with a one-out double. The National League West-leading Giants have won seven of their last eight at AT&T Park and trail the Chicago Cubs (25) by one for the most home victories in the NL.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (0-3, 3.00 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (8-4, 3.59)

Mengden is coming off his third loss in as many major-league starts, a setback against Milwaukee on Wednesday in which he yielded three runs and seven hits while recording a career-best nine strikeouts in six innings. The 23-year-old native of Houston gave up only two runs in each of his first two outings but has served up a home run in each of his three turns. Mengden has harnessed his control, walking a total of two batters over 12 1/3 frames in his last two starts after issuing four free passes in his debut at Cincinnati on June 11.

Samardzija escaped with a no-decision at Pittsburgh on Wednesday after being tagged for six runs and six hits - three homers - in only three innings. It was the third time in the last five outings the 31-year-old from Indiana surrendered at least five runs but followed a complete-game gem at Tampa Bay in which he gave up just one run and four hits. Samardzija, who made 16 starts for Oakland as a rental in 2014, has split his two career turns against his former club despite yielding 13 runs and 19 hits in 11 frames (10.64 ERA).

WALK-OFFS

1. Each team has won seven games in the Bay Bridge Series since 2013.

2. Oakland's Marcus Semien leads all American League shortstops with 14 home runs.

3. San Francisco RHP Matt Cain (hamstring) threw off a mound Sunday and could begin a rehab assignment on Friday.

PREDICTION: Giants 8, Athletics 3