World Series parade? Over. Spring Training? Finished. Celebration? A distant memory. As the Giants enter their three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates nearing the end of April baseball, reality has begun to resonate for Giants fans. The glory of world champions is only momentary. Sure, the Giants are the champions–of last season.

Uncertainty remains. Can the Giants do it again? Can they consistently contend for a world championship or are they a mediocre team that pulled off a miracle?

With the 2011 season underway, the answer to that question is both. The Giants are facing obstacles they managed to avoid last season. They were relatively healthy but now are plauged by injuries.

The Giants seemed to flirt with disaster when closer Brian Wilson and outfielder Cody Ross sustained minor injuries, and with a less-than average defensive outfield, Andres Torres is not a person you want on the disabled list. And yes, the Giants are a better team with starting pitcher Barry Zito (DL) in the lineup.

San Francisco finds itself in arguably the most competitive league in all of Major League Baseball. The National League West is stacked with playoff teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a threat, when healthy. Aside from the series against the Giants, the Colorado Rockies’ offense is mowing down teams and is clearly the media’s favorite in the NL West. Also, the San Diego Padres always seem to find ways to beat the Giants. With a league loaded with winning teams, making another run at a championship is more difficult than ever.

The biggest question that remains is whether the veterans of this team can do what they did last season. Can Aubrey Huff repeat the best season of his career? Is newly signed shortstop Miguel Tejada, at age 37, capable of providing any type of contribution to this team? Can Andres Torres, a debatable career minor-leaguer, do it again? Veteran second baseman Freddy Sanchez is off to a great start, but a question mark regarding his health lingers.

With all of the negative scenarios regarding the Giants, the positives about the Giants are the reason why they’re going to contend for another World Series. The Giants haven’t forgotten how to pitch. Tim Lincecum, Johnathan Sanchez and Matt Cain are all off to solid starts and all are bids for the National League Cy Young Award.

Last years’ National League Rookie of the Year catcher Buster Posey looks like a seasoned veteran in his second season, and a slim Pablo Sandoval has sharpened his approach at the plate. Veteran outfielder Aaron Rowand has done more this season so far than he has in his entire Giants career, and outfielder Nate Schierholtz is proving that he wants to be part of the conversation, too.

The 2011 Giants are a better team than they were last season. They’re hitting for more power and their pitching is still dominant The Giants’ biggest difficulty last season was making the playoffs; this season should be no different. If the Giants can scrap their way to the playoffs again, with the knowledge gained from last season and the grittiness this team plays with, they’re a lock to repeat.