Athletics' Zito facing off on the mound against Giants' Hudson

Oakland Athletics' Barry Zito is taking the mound during Saturday's Battle of the Bay game while opposing close friend and former teammate, San Francisco Giants' Tim Hudson.

San Francisco was eliminated from wild-card contention Friday night, losing to the Oakland Athletics 5-4 and helping send the Chicago Cubs into the postseason for the first time since 2008.

Hudson (8-8) takes on Zito (0-0) in what could be the final start for both pitchers who began their careers with Oakland as part of the vaunted "Big Three" that also included Mark Mulder.

"We had some of our best years as a professional here in Oakland," said the 40-year-old Hudson, who will retire - with Zito expected to join him. "It's something that when I heard it was going to happen it really made me smile, happy for me personally and Barry as well. I couldn't have thought of a better way to go out. ... It's going to be a nice little throwback moment."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.