Barry Zito was dazzling in his victory over the Cardinals in Game 5 of the NLCS on Friday, scattering six hits and a walk over 7 2/3 scoreless innings. In what has to be considered the most unexpectedly dominant performance of the postseason, Zito delivered his finest performance as a member of the Giants at a time when they needed him the most, facing possible elimination. He was brilliant the entire evening, racking up six strikeouts and tossing 73 of his 115 pitches for strikes. The 34-year-old left-hander now owns an improbable 1.74 ERA and 10/5 K/BB ratio through 10 1/3 innings in the postseason. Should the Giants battle back and advance to the World Series to take on the Tigers, Zito has certainly earned the right to start one of the first two games.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy has named Barry Zito his NLCS Game 5 starter. That was the indication he had given, but now it's official. Madison Bumgarner will be used in relief for the remainder of the series. "I think we feel it's time to get Madison a little break," Bochy said. Zito allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over just 2 2/3 innings against the Reds in the NLDS.

Barry Zito lasted just 2 2/3 innings but escaped with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-3 NLDS victory over the Reds. Zito gave up two runs on four hits and four walks, needing a whopping 76 pitches to cover the 2 2/3 frames. After George Kontos and Jose Mijares combined for three outs, Tim Lincecum came on to toss 4 1/3 innings of one-run relief. If the Giants make it to the NLCS, Lincecum almost surely will take Zito's spot in the rotation.

Barry Zito has been named the Giants' NLDS Game 4 starter. That's assuming, of course, that the Giants can force a fourth game. The other options were Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, but Lincecum was used for two relief innings in Game 2, and manager Bruce Bochy doesn't want to go to Cain on short rest. The Reds have yet to name a starter for a possible Game 4, but Johnny Cueto (if healthy) and Mat Latos are options.

Barry Zito delivered a strong performance in his final start of the regular season, allowing one run on five hits in a victory over the Dodgers. Zito piled up six strikeouts in the contest while issuing just one free pass. The only blemish on his evening came on an RBI groundout from Luis Cruz in the second inning. The 34-year-old left-hander finished up his finest season as a member of the Giants with a 15-8 record, 4.12 ERA and 114/70 K/BB ratio over 183 1/3 innings.

Barry Zito improved to 14-8 after allowing three runs in six innings Thursday versus the Diamondbacks. The Giants have won 10 straight Zito starts, during which time Zito has lowered his ERA from 4.27 all of the way to 4.19. His spot in the postseason rotation is still up in the air, but how can they leave him out when he's a guaranteed victory?

Barry Zito was stellar in Saturday's victory over the Diamondbacks, allowing only one run on six hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out four while walking just one on the evening. The only damage against him came on a solo homer by Justin Upton in the fourth inning. Sure, he hasn't quite lived up to his massive free agent contract, but Zito has been a fairly serviceable starter for the Giants this season, posting a 12-8 record, 4.21 ERA and 99/65 K/BB ratio over 166 2/3 innings. He'll look to replicate this fine outing when he takes on the Rockies at home on Thursday.

Barry Zito shut out the Dodgers for 6 1/3 innings to pick up a win on Sunday night. Five relievers went on to complete the shutout in the 4-0 game. Zito got a big assist with Matt Kemp out of the lineup tonight, as Kemp is a lifetime .462 hitter with three homers in 52 at-bats versus Zito. The Giants have now won seven straight Zito starts, even though he's turned in just three quality starts during that span. Zito is 11-8 with a 4.33 ERA.

Barry Zito recorded just five outs in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Astros, allowing three runs on seven hits. Zito was yanked after allowing hits to four of the first five batters he faced in the third inning, but it's possible his recent back soreness contributed to the early exit. Nevertheless, the outing was his shortest of the season, and leaves him with a 4.42 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 85/62 K/BB ratio through 148 2/3 frames. Provided he's healthy, he'll get the Diamondbacks at home on Monday.

Barry Zito surrendered two runs in eight-plus innings in beating the Braves on Thursday. Zito took a shutout into the ninth, but he was pulled after consecutive singles to start the inning and both baserunners came around to score off Jeremy Affeldt. If only Zito would have been taken out after eight, it would have been his fifth start this season with no runs allowed over seven or more innings. On David Price, Felix Hernandez and Hiroki Kuroda, with six apiece, have more than five.