San Francisco @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2018 ) San Francisco 3, San Diego 2

Two teams pointing toward next season meet Monday when the San Diego Padres open a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants. The rebuilding Padres have lost eight of 13 contests this year against the Giants, who have fallen 10 games under .500 and face a number of difficult decisions this offseason.

The Padres’ youth movement took another step forward in Sunday’s 7-3 win over Texas as rookie catcher Francisco Mejia hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning to help his team avoid a three-game sweep. Mejia has belted three homers since being promoted from Triple-A El Paso on Sept. 4 and will continue to share time behind the plate with 26-year-old Austin Hedges, who is batting .302 over his last 12 games. San Francisco ended a season-long 11-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over Colorado before losing 3-2 in Sunday’s series finale. Joe Panik went 2-for-3 with a stolen base, a walk and a pair of runs scored in the loss and could be one of several veterans on the move this offseason if the Giants decide to shake up their roster.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Andrew Suarez (6-11, 4.33 ERA) vs. Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (1-3, 6.07)

Suarez lost his second straight decision last Tuesday after allowing three runs and six hits over six innings against Atlanta. The 26-year-old rookie has gone 3-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 11 starts since July 15 but has pitched at least six frames in each of his last four outings. Suarez has posted a 2.13 ERA in two career starts covering 12 2/3 innings versus San Diego, both at home.

Mitchell was demoted to the bullpen after posting a 6.47 ERA in his first seven starts but has pitched better since returning to the rotation at the beginning of the month, allowing a total of two runs in two starts covering 11 innings. “These last two starts have been two good stepping stones,” Mitchell told reporters. “It’s really all I can control right now is trying to finish strong.” The 27-year-old native of North Carolina is making his second career start against the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco has lost its last six road games and 12 of its past 14.

2. Padres OF Franmil Reyes is 11-for-28 during his eight-game hitting streak.

3. Giants 1B Brandon Belt is listed as day-to-day and will likely need surgery on his right knee during the offseason.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Padres 4