The San Francisco Giants are riding a three-game winning streak and have an opportunity to complicate the postseason race for a division rival.

San Francisco has no path to the postseason, but the Giants can play spoiler when the San Diego Padres arrive for a three-game series.

The series opener will also feature a familiar face.

Former Giants starter Robbie Ray will take the mound for San Diego, making his first appearance in San Francisco since being traded to the Padres on Aug. 3.

Ray has struggled to replicate his previous success since the trade.

The left-hander is 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 28.2 innings over six starts with San Diego.

His numbers at Oracle Park this season were significantly better while pitching for San Francisco. Ray went 6-1 with a 2.22 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 65 innings across 11 home starts.

After spending more than two years with the organization, Ray’s return should provide a memorable homecoming.

The Giants, however, would prefer to hand their former teammate a loss and extend their winning streak.

San Francisco also possesses plenty of familiarity with Ray.

Players and coaches spent almost three seasons watching how he attacks hitters, particularly this season, giving them knowledge of both his strengths and weaknesses.

One weakness could be especially important for the Giants’ offense.

Home runs were an issue throughout Ray’s tenure in San Francisco. He surrendered 22 in 182.1 innings in 2025 and another 15 in 122.2 innings with the Giants this season.

Since joining San Diego, Ray has surrendered five home runs in 28.2 innings.

That could create an opportunity for Rafael Devers.

Ray’s former teammate has been scorching at the plate, hitting .367 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in 30 at-bats over his last eight games.

Another potential opening involves Ray’s ability to work deep into games.

At 34 years old, he has not consistently provided the length he once did, particularly compared with his 2021 American League Cy Young Award season with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ray has completed at least six innings only twice in his six starts with San Diego.

The Giants can exploit that by forcing him to work.

Ray has always had willingness to attack hitters and trust his stuff.

His fastball can challenge opponents aggressively, while his breaking pitches give him weapons to generate uncomfortable swings when properly located.

He also brings extensive experience and understands how to navigate difficult situations without abandoning his approach.

San Francisco’s familiarity with him makes patience particularly important.

Extending at-bats and forcing Ray into deeper counts could prevent him from settling into a rhythm.

San Diego owns a strong bullpen, but reaching it early would still force the Padres to cover additional innings.

Ray has the endurance to handle significant workloads, but his recent starts have shown that getting him out early is possible.

For the Giants, making their former teammate work from the beginning could be the key to taking advantage.