Why Wilson is an All Star

Tim Lincecum graces the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated and it seems all but certain he will be suiting up at Yankee Stadium on July 15. The Giants continue to push fans toward voting for Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand on their ballots. But just as deserving to be out there for the mid-summer classic is closer Brian Wilson, who secured his league-leading 22nd save of the season last night in a 2-1 victory over the Cubs.

Wilson's league lead in saves is impressive for a number of reasons - one being that this team has only won 37 games. Wilson has only blown two saves this season, and only one of those was a loss. That loss was May 3 in Philadelphia - nearly two months ago. Since that time, not every save has come easy (he did allow a run and put the tying and winning runners on last night), but he always closes the door. There's a fire and intensity when he pitches that every closer needs to succeed. "Put in a good word for me with Clint Hurdle," he says. Wilson is fun to watch - and he deserves to be out there on the national stage in two weeks.