San Francisco Giants

While no Giants' fan will ever forget the playoff and World Series run that the team had in 2010, it means nothing in 2011.

Many factors will dictate whether or not the Giants have another successful run in 2011. Some of them had successful runs in 2010, some were just good when it mattered, while others were a bit disappointing. What they all have in common is that they are all important to the Giants and their chances of becoming the first National League team to repeat since the Reds of 1975 and 1976.

The San Francisco Giants of 2010 were a great story. They had amazing pitching, solid hitting and a great cast of characters. You had the freak Tim Lincecum, the bearded Brian Wilson, the man whose contract is fun to rip nonstop, Barry Zito, and Kung Fu Panda himself, Pablo Sandoval.

Now, this cast of characters will have their own reality show. A trailer for the Giants' new reality show, "The Franchise", has been released, with a special preview of the show airing April 13 on Showtime.

The Giants aren’t the only ones counting on a return of Pablo Sandoval, otherwise known as "The Panda" through the Bay Area, in 2011.

Fans desperately want their happy, fun-loving, quirky, hitting machine back and hope the commitment that he made to his offseason training program will bring back the Panda of 2009. 

This week, we take a look at our second "September Star" pitcher: Madison Bumgarner.

Bumgarner made only one start in 2009, but wound up getting 18 in 2010. His season was a little up-and-down by month, but he was stellar in July and September.

Let's focus on his September stat line to try and discover if he can continue his effectiveness into 2011.

The likelihood of Brian Wilson appearing on Opening Day at Chavez Ravine is doubtful after he was yanked from a bullpen session today.

Reports from ESPN are saying he felt a little discomfort and was told to stop.

Is this a setback?

Who are you asking?

According to Wilson, no, but then again this is Brian Wilson, and rarely do we see him stress publicly about anything, especially something as lowly as a strained oblique. It just doesn't fit his lumberjack persona.