San Francisco @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2018 ) San Francisco 2, Milwaukee 4

Gio Gonzalez makes his franchise debut when the Milwaukee Brewers host the San Francisco Giants on Friday in the middle contest of a three-game set. Milwaukee acquired Gonzalez and $250,000 in international slot money from the Washington Nationals on Aug. 31 in exchange for two minor leaguers - catcher/first baseman KJ Harrison and infielder Gilbert Lara.

The Brewers are hoping Gonzalez can be a difference-maker down the stretch even though the two-time All-Star is experiencing a substandard campaign after eight straight seasons of 10 or more victories. "It's unfortunate I put myself in this situation, and now it's time I get myself out of it," Gonzalez said at a press conference. "Milwaukee took a shot with me, and I'm going to do my best to make it happen." The Brewers recorded a 4-2 victory on Friday for their seventh win in the past nine games, and they possess the National League's top wild-card spot by 1 1/2 games over the St. Louis Cardinals while closing within four games of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. San Francisco has dropped six straight contests, including the first four of a six-game road excursion that concludes on Sunday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Stratton (9-8, 4.90 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Gio Gonzalez (7-11, 4.57)

Stratton lost to the New York Mets in his last turn despite giving up just two runs and three hits over six innings. The 28-year-old was even better in his previous turn when he tossed eight innings of five-hit scoreless ball while defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks. Stratton is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee, and he stood out in the start by blanking the Brewers over six innings in a victory on Aug. 21, 2017.

Gonzalez received a no-decision in his final start for the Nationals on Aug. 29 when he allowed six runs and six hits over five innings at Philadelphia. The 32-year-old was 0-3 with an 8.71 ERA in his last four turns while giving up 28 hits and 10 walks over 20 2/3 innings. Gonzalez is 5-5 with a 3.53 ERA in 14 career starts against the Giants, including 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA in two starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers 1B Jesus Aguilar stroked the tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning of the opener to raise his RBI count to 97.

2. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt is mired in a 24-game homerless drought and has just three RBIs during the stretch.

3. Milwaukee OF Ryan Braun hit a two-run blast on Friday after failing to go deep in 16 consecutive appearances.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Giants 3