"Barry Zito did himself no favors with Saturday's stinker of a start against the Padres. The schedule doesn't help him, either.

The Giants have Thursday off after a three-game home series starting tonight against the Dodgers. Thursday would be Zito's turn to pitch, so they could skip him Friday night against Milwaukee to keep Matt Cain and the other starters on regular rest.

Manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that he and pitching coach Dave Righetti are talking about who might start Friday night. Bochy suggested the decision will hinge, in part, on how the next few games unfold.

It's no stretch to picture the Giants skipping Zito and going with Cain, Ryan Vogelsong and Madison Bumgarner - all on their customary four days of rest - against the Brewers. The Giants are off again next Monday, meaning Tim Lincecum, Cain and Vogelsong then could face the Phillies in an NLCS rematch July 26 through 28 in Philadelphia.

By then, Jonathan Sanchez might be ready to rejoin the rotation. So even though Zito pitched superbly in his first three starts back from the disabled list, one terrible outing puts him on the fence again - and he might not get a chance for quick redemption."