It’s that time of year again.

That’s what everybody says in the fall, but it’s true. The leaves are changing color, the weather is getting colder and by Oct. 29 at the latest, the people of San Francisco will be celebrating another World Series victory.

What makes me so confident in my prediction? Among other things, the recent trend regarding the San Francisco Giants and World Series wins. In short, ever since 2010, the Giants have won a World Series every other year. Look for that trend to continue this year.

The Giants are back in the World Series, this time facing a young and exciting Kansas City Royals squad, and are ready to further the trend.

Let’s look at this year’s Giants team. For starters, San Francisco is on a roll in the playoffs. The Giants have won eight of their last 10 games with their only two losses coming to an extremely talented Nationals team the Giants were able to close out in four games in the NLDS, and a St. Louis squad that most people thought would take the National League pennant.

At this point I feel the need to mention that most Royals fans will interject with “but we haven’t lost a game in the playoffs yet.” And yes, while it is true that Kansas City has gone undefeated so far, that fact means the Royals have yet to face adversity.

The Giants losses added toughness to an already playoff-tested team. The Royals haven’t made the playoffs since 1985 before this year, and although they have shown an ability to win late, they haven’t been forced to respond after a loss, something all good teams must be able to do.

As was the case on the mental side of the game, I have to give the edge to the Giants when it comes to personnel.

On offense, the team is varied, with elements of power, in third baseman Pablo Sandoval, speed, in outfielders Gregor Blanco and Hunter Pence, and consistency, in catcher Buster Posey.

Posey is also a former NL MVP and his experience, along with that of the other members of the batting order, provides a playoff-tested, explosive offense that outscored its opponents 44 to 25 in the postseason this year.

In pitching terms, San Francisco still has Kansas City beat. While the Royals have good, young starters and an incredibly strong bullpen, the Giants have a more talented staff.

The Giants staff not only includes Tim Lincecum and Jake Peavy, who have both won Cy Youngs, but also features ace Madison Bumgarner, who will start Game One for San Francisco.

Bumgarner is fresh off winning the NL Championship series MVP and has been untouchable in the post season with a 1.42 ERA, 28 strikeouts, a 2-1 record and a history of going deep into games in the playoffs. Bumgarner has yet to be pulled before the seventh inning in the playoffs and will start against James Shields who has a 5.63 ERA so far this postseason.

Even though the Royals may have a superior bullpen, the Giants have had such outstanding starting pitching that their ‘pen has been rarely used. San Francisco has also proven to be opportunistic this postseason, capitalizing on wild pitches and other Cardinals mistakes to win the NLCS.

So, while Kansas City is a good young team who, barring major change in the organization, will compete for a World Series or two in the near future, the time is now for the Giants and I can’t see this trend ending.

Nicholas is a junior in Media. He can be reached [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @IlliniSportsGuy.