A's/Giants Exhibition Games Open 2016 Baseball Season

BAY AREA - Baseball is about to return to the Bay Area.

Even before opening day on Monday, the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's will face each other in three exhibition games starting Thursday.

The first two games will be played at AT&T Park in San Francisco starting at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and the final game will be at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland at 1:05 p.m. Saturday.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is warning residents and commuters that game days will cause larger crowds and more traffic. The agency is encouraging anyone taking public transit to buy their tickets in advance.

The regular baseball season will begin in the Bay Area on Monday when the A's host the Chicago White Sox at 7:05 p.m. BART crowds might be heavier that day as fans head to the game.

The Giants will play their first regular season games on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers, but will return to AT&T Park on April 7 when they begin a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Transportation options for San Francisco's home opener will be limited since ferry service to the game has been canceled for that day.

Regular ferry service will resume on Friday, though there may be delays for the rest of the month because of vessel availability, according to the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

-Bay Area News, image via ShutterStock