San Francisco Giants

History hasn't been kind to San Francisco or Texas. But both teams retooled on the fly this season, setting up an evenly matched, if unlikely, Fall Classic showdown. The difference maker: the Rangers' ace for the ages

They don't suffer in infamy the way the Cubs and the Indians do and the Red Sox once did, but the Giants do suffer. In a season full of nail-biters, however, San Francisco has mixed plenty of pleasure with the pain

Yes, the Phillies and the Yankees swept. But several veterans making their October debuts—and, in the case of Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay, making history—ensured that this won't be the same old postseason

Their stellar rotations have Philadelphia and San Francisco headed for an NLCS showdown

Giants rookie Buster Posey had to prove he could handle pitchers. He's not only done that—he's shown he can carry a team