Giants fans, this is a season to be proud of

Well, it was fun while it lasted. The San Francisco Giants dropped two of three in Los Angeles with a 6-2 defeat in the series finale on Sunday. The Giants' loss, coupled with Colorado's win, puts the Giants four and a half games back in the Wild Card race.Tim Lincecum didn't see the fifth inning as he struggled with his command and even issued a four-pitch walk to pitcher Randy Wolf in his ineffective outing.

The San Francisco offense is too sporadic, too impatient and too prone to making unproductive outs. There is a gaping hole at the shortstop position and Aaron Rowand has the quietest 15 home runs and 62 r.b.i.'s in baseball.

There are serious issues that need to be addressed. The Giants have no answer at first base. Randy Winn, who before this season was a lock for a solid average and clutch hits, is coming off the books. Their starting rotation will have to cope with the likely departures of Randy Johnson and Brad Penny after this season.

But this is no time to hang your head if you are a Giants fan. This team was predicted to finish near the bottom by most of the experts and armchair analysts across the country. A season above .500 is a huge step forward for a team that hasn't played meaningful games in September since 2004.

Yes. It is disappointing. There was a period of time in August when this team looked like it caught lightning in a bottle and was going to be a force. But the offense is too weak and impatient.

Pablo Sandoval will come back in 2010 and contend for the MVP, provided he stays healthy. Nate Schierholtz will benefit from playing every day and will establish himself as one of the best defensive right fielders in baseball. He will also hit .290 and drive in 85 runs.

Matt Cain and Lincecum will push each other like they did in 2009 and carry this team towards a division title in 2010.

This team will make a splash with a free agent signing, but I am more looking forward to the trade I think should be made. Pair Brian Wilson and John Bowker for a bat. Sergio Romo is ready to close and Bowker has "AL" written all over him. And don't pick up Ryan Garko's option.

There is a lot to be grateful for. I know this day is disappointing, but it will be OK. It's not like one of our top prospects is detained in connection with murder or anything, right?

Zito's biggest challenge yet

Barry Zito doing what he does best: looking ridiculous. Find information about this photo from Flickr here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slgc/ / CC BY 2.0

By Jordan Guinn

Barry Zito must go deep for the San Francisco Giants on Monday in the final game of a four-game set against the Colorado Rockies. By far, this is Zito's biggest start as a member of the orange and black. While all the starts at this point of the season are big, Zito has never faced this sort of pressure in his two and a half seasons with the Giants.

He has always been considered a second-half pitcher, but the Giants have always been well out of contention by late August since he signed his insanely ridiculous seven-year, $126 million contract.

A win tonight would bring the Giants within two games of Colorado, while a loss would put the team four games back in the wild card race. A loss tonight certainly wouldn't spell the end of the season for the Giants, but it would provide them with a winning record on their current 11-game road trip and a series split with a team they are trailing in a tight race.

Few have been more critical of Zito than myself. I have blasted him on Facebook, previous columns and in person at AT&T Park. I understand that he has the worst run support in baseball this season. I also understand this is the best he has pitched since donning a Giants uniform. However, that isn't saying much. Zito has made great steps this year and has the opportunity to endear himself more to faithful Giants fans like myself. The Giants must give him some runs, but Zito cannot have a meltdown against Jason Marquis on Monday, he cannot exit before the sixth inning and he cannot give up more than two runs.

For the love of God Zito, keep the team in the game.