NL West

Never trust the weather in Colorado. Especially in the spring.

Fantasy baseball is going into its first full week, and starting Monday owners and managers will need to have their houses in order.  I'm just the man who can help you all clean up in your leagues. 

Whether a beginner, a skilled competitor or a champion, the advice you get here each week will give you the upper hand and could help you defeat your foes.

Head-to-head fantasy sports formats are my specialty.  I'm not big on the rotisserie, but here we go head-up into the highlights of the slide show...

When the San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series and were crowned kings of Major League Baseball, their fans were too ecstatic to pay much attention to what the outside world was saying. We were too busy enjoying the franchise's first title in over 50 years and The City's first ever of the baseball variety.

Eventually, however, the smiles and confetti subsided—that's when initial reports began trickling through that all was not right outside the Bay Area.

Cain throws six shutout innings in 10-0 victory over Dodgers.

The San Francisco Giants earned their first win of the year the way they drew it up all season long.

Some things went right on Friday night. Others went wrong.

The Giants were able to muster more than one run and hold a lead only to have errors and questionable pitching moves undo them in the sixth inning.

Some questions were answered, but others have been raised.

Brandon Belt has arrived

Brandon Belt hit his first career home run against Chad Billingsley. On top of that, his three-run homer gave the Giants a 3-1 lead.

One of my fondest memories of my youth is the time my dad and I made the trek up the coast to San Francisco to watch the Dodgers play the Giants at Candlestick Park.

It was sometime in the early 70's, and Ron Cey was the Dodgers third baseman. Giant fans didn't like Cey too much for some reason, so every time he came to bat they would boo him. Of course when they would boo him, I would stand up and cheer him on.

The Giants did not expect to start their trek to a repeat title like this.

The Giants hit a road block on Thursday's opening day at Dodger Stadium, kicking the ball around in the sixth inning.

Miguel Tejada botched a throw to second with a runner at first with one out, followed by a rare Posey throwing error with the bases loaded. Just nanoseconds before, Posey made a great save on a pitch by Lincecum in the dirt.

**This and other articles are also featured on Archway Number Nine**

According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, the San Francisco Giants have decided to add Brandon Belt onto the 2011 Opening Day roster and start him at first base against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.

To be honest, this is a shock to everyone and anyone who has been involved in Giants baseball through the last several years.

Much to the surprise of the majority of knowledgeable San Francisco Giants fans, top prospect Brandon Belt has made the opening day roster for the defending champions.

In the past, Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean always took it slow with the young positional talent.

So, is this a change in philosophy or simply an exception to the rule?