San Francisco Giants: Only Getting Better

needs to have a strong late-inning group that he can rely on to throw strikes, kill rallies, and get outs. This remains the weakest part of the team, and it must improve if the Giants are going to win more games.

Brian Wilson, with his badass tattoos and 95 MPH fastball, has quietly established himself as THE closer. He's tied for third in the league with 16 saves, and despite a high ERA of 4.44, he is doing a fine job. He's on pace for 48 saves this season.  Not too bad considering the Giants' sorry state since Nen's retirement.

With Omar Vizquel back from the disabled list and Ray Durham swinging a hot bat, the Giants have as good a double-play combination as any in the National League. Vizquel is a likely Hall of Famer, having played more games at shortstop than anyone else in history, but he's more than that. He's a leader on the field, and makes the routine play every time and the spectacular play almost every time. 

I've always liked Ray Durham's steady play at second base, but more importantly, i've always liked his potent bat. He started slowly this season as the Giants gave Eugenio Velez a shot at winning the job. Durham never complained, stayed patient, worked on his game, and Velez is now playing in the Pacific Coast League. 

Ray is now hitting .290, which is where Velez needs to be if he's going to be playing at this level. Durham and Vizquel make turning the double play into an art. It's all in the eye of the beholder—a thing of beauty for the Giants and hideous for the other team.

Aaron Rowand is having another remarkable season. He's leading the Giants in average (.342), home runs (eight) and RBI (35). Plus, I love his swagger on the field, and the way he leads the outfield. This is a team guy who cares only about winning and not about his stats. 

It's also known as a winning attitude, something the Giants haven't really had the last couple of years. He also happens to play Gold-Glove quality defense in center field.

Winning is contagious, and if the Giants can continue to build off this solid core up the middle, improve their middle and late-inning relief, they'll finish the season above .500, and in the NL West, who knows, even contend.

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