Atlanta @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2016 ) Atlanta 0, San Francisco 7

The San Francisco Giants hope seeing the Atlanta Braves will bring out the best in Jake Peavy again when the veteran right-hander returns to the starting rotation Saturday in San Francisco. Sent to the bullpen to begin August, Peavy made his best start of the season in a 4-0 victory over the Braves on May 31 in Atlanta, allowing just one hit with no walks in seven innings.

The Giants had lost nine of 12 before stringing together two victories in a row — Matt Moore nearly no-hitting the Dodgers on Thursday before jumping all over the Braves early in Friday’s 7-0 victory. San Francisco has scored five runs or more nine times in its past 13 games. Atlanta came into the weekend hitting .266 in August with 118 runs scored — its best offensive month of the season — but were shut out in the series opener. The Braves have lost seven of their past 10 and are a major-league worst 47-82 entering Saturday’s contest.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (6-5, 4.55 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jake Peavy (5-9, 5.55)

There have been glimmers of hope and moments of frustration this season for the 24-year-old Foltynewicz, who has allowed four or more runs three times in five August starts but nonetheless is 2-1 with a 5.14 ERA this month. Many of his struggles have come on the road, where Foltynewicz has posted a 5.14 ERA and 1.48 WHIP while surrendering 12 homers in 56 innings (he has a 3.69 ERA in 39 home innings with three homers allowed). Foltynewicz beat the Giants in Atlanta on May 30, allowing one run on three hits in six innings of a 5-3 victory.

The 35-year-old Peavy entered this season with one relief stint in his 15-year career, but makes his first start Saturday since July 30 following eight appearances out of the San Francisco bullpen. He was rocked for five runs on five hits in two innings Aug. 20 against New York, after giving up only one run in his first seven games as a reliever. Peavy’s longest relief stint is two innings, after averaging 4 2/3 innings and posting a 6.14 ERA across six starts from June 29-July 30.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants have not committed an error in their past 11 games, a season high, and have made only two errors in their past 172 innings.

2. Atlanta CF Ender Inciarte is hitting .358 since the All-Star break, having reached base in 35 of his past 36 games since July 19.

3. Giants C Buster Posey is batting .363 in his past 22 games.

PREDICTION: Giants 7, Braves 5