Editing Barry Zito (section)

===Oakland Athletics (2000–2006)===
====2000====
Zito made his major league debut on July 22, 2000, against the [[Anaheim Angels]] wearing #53. He allowed one [[Run (baseball)|run]] in five innings, and got the [[Win (baseball)|win]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200007220.shtml |title=July 22, 2000 Anaheim Angels at Oakland Athletics |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref> In his next start, Zito went seven innings while giving up three runs to the [[Boston Red Sox]]. Zito continued to have great success early in his rookie season. In his third career start, he went seven innings and gave up one run against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. On September 10, Zito pitched his first complete game shutout against the [[Tampa Bay Devil Rays]]. He threw 110 pitches, struck out eight, and allowed five hits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200009100.shtml |title=September 10, 2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Oakland Athletics |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref> During September, he went 5–1 with a 1.73 ERA.<ref name=br-2000_gamelogs>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?n1=zitoba01&t=p&year=2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212202806/http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?n1=zitoba01&t=p&year=2000|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2009|title=Barry Zito 2000 Pitching Gamelogs|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> Zito finished with a 7–4 record and a 2.72 earned run average in 14 starts.<ref name="MLB"/> Despite his late start to the season, Zito still received a vote for the [[American League]] (AL) [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]] voting, finishing in a 4-way tie for sixth place with [[Steve Cox (baseball)|Steve Cox]], [[Adam Kennedy]] and [[Mark Redman]].<ref name=br-stats/>

Zito made his postseason debut in Game 4 of the [[2000 American League Division Series|AL Division Series]] (ALDS) against the [[New York Yankees]]. He went {{frac|5|2|3}} innings, struck out 5, walked 2, and allowed an earned run. Zito earned the win, outpitching [[Roger Clemens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200010070.shtml |title=October 7, 2000 American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 4, Athletics at Yankees |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> However, the Yankees would win the series, 3–2, and would go on to win their third straight [[2000 World Series|World Series]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Yanks' fans celebrate as Mets' mourn|date=October 27, 2000|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|page=6C}}</ref>

====2001====
In 2001, Zito Switched his uniform number to 75 (which he would wear throughout the rest of his career) and finished third in the [[American League]] (AL) in strikeouts per nine innings (8.61), fourth in strikeouts (205), sixth in wins (17), eighth in ERA (3.49), and tenth in [[winning percentage]] (.680).<ref name=br-stats>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/z/zitoba01.shtml |title=Barry Zito Statistics| work=Baseball-Reference| access-date=October 1, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071005115928/http://www.baseball-reference.com/z/zitoba01.shtml| archive-date= October 5, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> Zito became the sixth lefty aged 23 or younger since 1902 to strike out at least 200 batters in a season. After a great rookie season, Zito struggled through the early part of the 2001 season, posting a 6–7 record with a 5.01 ERA in his first 22 starts. However, he rebounded nicely and by August, he was putting up good pitching numbers. Zito was named [[Pitcher of the Month]] in August, going 5–1 with a 1.02 ERA. Zito won Pitcher of the Month again in September, going 6–0 with a 1.89 ERA. During those last two months of the season, Zito went a combined 11–1 with a 1.32 ERA, best in baseball.<ref name="MLB"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=zitoba01&t=p&year=2001 |title=Barry Zito 2001 Pitching Gamelogs |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>

The Athletics made the postseason and again played the Yankees in the [[2001 American League Division Series|ALDS]]. Zito pitched in Game 3 against [[Mike Mussina]]. He went eight innings, striking out six, walking one, and allowing an earned run. But Zito took the loss as the Yankees won the game, 1–0.<ref name="MLB"/> The Yankees would end up taking the series, 3–2.<ref>{{cite web |last=Slusser |first=Susan |url=http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Curtain-falls-on-A-s-Yanks-complete-ALDS-2869015.php |title=Curtain falls on A's / Yanks complete ALDS comeback |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=October 16, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2013}}</ref>

====2002====
[[File:A's vs Yanks 4406244.jpg|thumb|175px|left|Zito pitching for the Athletics in 2002]]

In 2002, Zito became one of the best pitchers in baseball. On May 8, Zito signed a 4-year, $9.3 million contract extension, keeping him in Oakland through at least the 2005 season, with a club option for the 2006 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=A'S NOTEBOOK / Zito signs four-year contract extension |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/A-S-NOTEBOOK-Zito-signs-four-year-contract-2840458.php |website=[[sfgate.com]] |publisher=[[SFGate]] |access-date=May 14, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> On June 22, Zito won his 10th game of the season. It was the earliest that an A's pitcher had reached the 10-win mark since [[Bob Welch (baseball)|Bob Welch]] got there on June 15, 1990. Zito was named to the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star team]] for the first time in his career. On July 18, he went {{frac|7|1|3}} innings while giving up no runs against the Angels. That win gave Zito a team-record 16th straight win at home. Zito again faced the Angels in his next start and produced similar results. He went {{frac|6|1|3}} innings and gave up just one run. That win gave Zito the most wins by an AL pitcher (14). Zito would become the AL's first 15-game winner when he beat the Rangers. On August 23, Zito recorded his 18th win of the season, giving him one more than his previous career-high of 17, in a game against the [[Detroit Tigers]].<ref name="MLB"/>

On August 28, Zito earned his 19th win of the season against the [[Kansas City Royals]]. However, he lost his bid for a [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect game]] in the sixth inning when [[Neifi Pérez]] singled with one out. Zito gave credit to Pérez. "I wasn't pitching to maintain a no-hitter or something", Zito said. "I left the ball up over the middle to Pérez, and he hit it up the middle. It was a good piece of hitting."<ref>{{cite web |last=Eskew |first=Alan |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020829&content_id=115429&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055459/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020829&content_id=115429&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |title=Zito wins 19th, A's win 15th straight |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=August 29, 2002 |access-date=October 22, 2013 }}</ref>

On September 8, Zito became the first pitcher in the AL to win 20 games when he pitched seven innings and allowed no earned runs against the [[Minnesota Twins]]. "I'm not pitching for the [[Cy Young Award|Cy Young]]", Zito said. "I'm pitching to get the Oakland A's into the playoffs and to the World Series."<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020908&content_id=124473&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202716/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020908&content_id=124473&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |title=Beating Twins for 20 special for Zito |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=September 8, 2002 |access-date=October 24, 2013 }}</ref> In his next start, against the [[Seattle Mariners]], Zito took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before [[John Olerud]] singled to leadoff the inning. Seattle manager [[Lou Piniella]] said if he could vote for the Cy Young Award winner, "It would go to that young man who pitched for the Oakland team. There are other deserving pitchers, but [Zito] has won 21 games and he competes well."<ref>{{cite web |last=Street |first=Jim |url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020914&content_id=128510&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea |title=Zito dazzles M's as hopes fade |work=[[MLB.com|Mariners.MLB.com]] |date=September 14, 2002 |access-date=October 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055635/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020914&content_id=128510&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In his last start of the season, Zito went six innings and allowed just a run against the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]]. In his last 10 starts, Zito went 8–0, boosting his chances of winning the AL Cy Young Award. "Barry pitched another gem", said Oakland manager [[Art Howe]]. "He's certainly had a Cy Young-type season. He's just been steady all season long."<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020929&content_id=141179&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060236/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020929&content_id=141179&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |title=Zito shines in regular-season finale |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=September 29, 2002 |access-date=October 22, 2013 }}</ref> Zito was a part of the A's [[List of Major League Baseball longest winning streaks|20 consecutive game winning streak]] in [[2002 Oakland Athletics season|2002]].<ref>Cresson, Guy. (August 13, 2017). [https://whitecleatbeat.com/2017/08/13/today-oakland-athletics-history-15th-anniversary-2002-streak/ Today in Oakland Athletics History: 15th Anniversary of the 2002 Streak]. ''whitecleatbeat.com''. Retrieved November 2, 2023.</ref>

In Game 3 of the [[2002 American League Division Series|ALDS]], Zito went six innings and gave up three earned runs against the Twins, earning the win.<ref name="MLB"/> However, the Twins defeated the Athletics in five games, making the Athletics the first team to lose the deciding game of a series three years in a row.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20021006&content_id=151467&vkey=ds2002news&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195553/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20021006&content_id=151467&vkey=ds2002news&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |title=Again, A's fall short in ALDS |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=October 6, 2002 |access-date=October 25, 2013 }}</ref>

Zito won the AL Cy Young Award with a 23–5 record, narrowly defeating [[Pedro Martínez]] in the voting. He led the league with 23 wins, was second in winning percentage (.821), and third in both ERA (2.75) and strikeouts (182). Zito's 23 wins were the most by an AL left-hander since [[Frank Viola]] had 24 wins for Minnesota in 1988. Zito also allowed a .185 average to opposing hitters, the lowest in the AL.<ref name=br-stats/> Martínez, who had led the AL in ERA (2.26), strikeouts (239), and winning percentage (.833), became the first pitcher since the introduction of the award to lead his league in each of the three categories and not win the award.<ref name=br-stats-pedro>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/martipe02.shtml |title=Pedro Martínez Statistics| work=Baseball-Reference}}</ref> Zito became the first A's pitcher to win the Cy Young Award since [[Dennis Eckersley]] did it in 1992. Zito was also named [[AL TSN Pitcher of the Year]].<ref name="MLB"/>

====2003====
In 2003, Zito started with a win against the Mariners. He went 6 innings and allowed an earned run, an RBI single by Olerud in the first inning. In his next start, Zito went 7 innings, struck out 7, walked 4, and allowed one run against Texas. He became only the fifth A's pitcher to win 10 straight games, the first since Welch in 1990. On April 18, Zito went nine innings, allowing six hits and no runs in a start against the Rangers. Zito improved to 9–0 in his career against Texas. After the game, Texas manager [[Buck Showalter]] said, "I got the feeling he made it look pretty easy. When he has that kind of command, you can see what happens."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230418111 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917184800/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230418111 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |title=A's return to winning ways at home |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=April 18, 2003 |access-date=October 24, 2013}}</ref> Zito struggled in his second-to-last start before the All-Star Break on July 8. He allowed seven earned runs and 15 hits against the Devil Rays. The 15 hits allowed were a career-high. Devil Rays manager Piniella was stunned by Zito's bad start. He said, "If you'd have told me we'd get 15 hits off Zito in five or six innings, I would have looked at you a little funny."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/07/10/devil-rays-rout-zito/ |title=Devil Rays Rout Zito |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=July 10, 2003 |access-date=October 20, 2013}}</ref> Nevertheless, Zito bounced back in his next start. He went eight innings without surrendering a run against the [[Baltimore Orioles]]. Zito was again named to the All-Star team, the second time he has been named to the team.<ref name="MLB"/>

In 2003, Zito was seventh in the AL in ERA (3.30). He had a 14–12 record and 146 strikeouts over a career-high {{frac|231|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=br-stats/>

In Game 2 of the [[2003 American League Division Series|ALDS]] against the Red Sox, Zito went seven innings, striking out nine, walking two, allowing one earned run, and earning the win in Oakland's 5–1 triumph. In Game 5, Zito went six innings and allowed four earned runs, taking the loss as the Red Sox won the game and the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=zitoba01&t=p&year=0&post=1 |title=Barry Zito Postseason Pitching Gamelogs |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=October 26, 2013}}</ref>

====2004====
In 2004, Zito struggled and posted the worst numbers of his career at the time. Zito went 2–3 with a 6.83 ERA in April.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=zitoba01&t=p&year=2004 |title=Barry Zito 2004 Pitching Gamelogs |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=October 27, 2013}}</ref> On May 28, facing [[Cliff Lee]], he threw eight shutout innings but received a no-decision in a 1–0 loss to the [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040528&content_id=755388&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195736/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040528&content_id=755388&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |title=Zito strong, but A's fall in ninth |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=May 28, 2004 |access-date=October 27, 2013 }}</ref> He threw eight shutout innings of four-hit ball in a 5–0 victory over the Devil Rays on August 21. Oakland manager [[Ken Macha]] would have let him throw a complete game, but Zito said, "I was worrying about being fresh for the next game. I didn't want to end up [throwing] 115–120 [pitches], so I took advantage of the situation and shut it down."<ref>{{cite web |last=Gagliano |first=Anthony |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040821&content_id=834309&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029220630/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040821&content_id=834309&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |title=Zito wins as A's flex muscles again |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=August 21, 2004 |access-date=October 28, 2013 }}</ref> On September 12, he threw seven shutout innings and had 10 strikeouts, earning the win in a 1–0 victory over the Indians.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040912&content_id=856382&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Zito fans 10; A's blank Tribe |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=September 12, 2004 |access-date=October 29, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> For the season, he went 11–11 with a 4.48 ERA. That was his only year with the Athletics that his ERA was more than 4.00. He still finished 10th in the league in strikeouts with 163.<ref name=br-stats/>

====2005====
[[File:Zito6SEA.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Zito throwing a pitch]]
Following the departure of [[Tim Hudson]] and [[Mark Mulder]], Zito was given his first [[Opening Day]] assignment in 2005. He allowed four runs over six innings in a 4–0 loss to the Orioles on April 4.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050404&content_id=999484&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121094727/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050404&content_id=999484&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2010 |title=Zito, A's shut down in Opening Day loss |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=April 4, 2005 |access-date=October 30, 2013 }}</ref> In 2005, Zito again struggled in April, going 0–4 with a 6.60 ERA. In his first 16 starts of the campaign, he was 3–8 with a 4.41 ERA. However, Zito pitched better the rest of the season. He had a streak of 14 consecutive starts from May 17 through July 25 (and 20 out of 21 through August 30) in which he gave up fewer hits than innings pitched. From June 28 through August 4, he earned the win in eight consecutive starts.<ref name=br-2005_gamelogs>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?n1=zitoba01&t=p&year=2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214112728/http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?n1=zitoba01&t=p&year=2005|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2009|title=Barry Zito 2005 Pitching Gamelogs|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=October 24, 2013}}</ref> On June 6, Zito allowed two runs in six innings in a 2–1 loss to the [[Washington Nationals]]. During the game, he collected his first major league hit, against [[Tony Armas Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Seidel |first=Jeff |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050607&content_id=1080508&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Strong start from Zito not enough |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=June 7, 2005 |access-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102051125/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050607&content_id=1080508&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Zito was named Pitcher of the Month in July, going 6–0 with a 2.51 ERA. In 35 starts, Zito went 14–13 with a 3.86 ERA. Zito's 35 starts were the most in Major League Baseball that season, demonstrating his durability as a pitcher. He also had 171 strikeouts, good for fifth in the league.<ref name=br-stats/>

====2006====
In 2006, Zito went {{frac|1|1|3}} innings and allowed seven earned runs on Opening Day (April 3) against the Yankees. It was the shortest outing of his career.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060403&content_id=1382502&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Thomas homers, but A's lose to Yanks |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=April 4, 2006 |access-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103020424/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060403&content_id=1382502&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> However, Zito quickly rebounded from that bad start. On June 1, he allowed four hits over seven innings in a 4–0 victory over the Twins. During the game, he recorded his 1,000th career strikeout by punching out [[Lew Ford]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060601&content_id=1483489&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Long ball fuels Zito past Twins |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=June 2, 2006 |access-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103193750/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060601&content_id=1483489&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On July 2, Zito and [[Brandon Webb]] both allowed one run through eight innings before Zito gave up two unearned runs while only getting two outs in the ninth; Webb threw a complete game as the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] beat the Athletics 3–1.<ref>{{cite web |last=Quinn |first=Ryan |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060702&content_id=1535246&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Zito outdueled in finale with D-Backs |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=July 2, 2006 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105134147/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060702&content_id=1535246&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> When the All-Star Break rolled around, Zito was 8–6 with a 3.29 earned run average. He was named to the 2006 All-Star Game.<ref name="MLB"/> On August 25, Zito earned his 100th career win when he defeated the Rangers 9–3. He had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning, but [[Mark DeRosa]] singled to lead it off.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060825&content_id=1629107&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Zito dazzles Rangers as A's win opener |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=August 26, 2006 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105134144/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060825&content_id=1629107&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 35 starts (first in the league again), he had a 16–10 record, a 3.83 ERA, and 151 strikeouts. Zito was tied for eighth in the league in wins, he ranked tenth in ERA, and he was third in innings pitched (221). He had the eighth-lowest run support of AL pitchers (4.97) but had a 15–1 record if he received at least two runs of support.<ref name="MLB"/>

Zito helped the Athletics reach the postseason. In Game 1 of the [[2006 American League Division Series|ALDS]], he allowed one run and four hits over eight innings, outdueling [[Johan Santana]] and earning the win in a 3–2 victory over the Twins and setting the stage for an Oakland sweep.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061003&content_id=1696727&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Zito punches holes in Twins' lineup |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310201704/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061003&content_id=1696727&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061006&content_id=1702380&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Chavez, Zito savor A's trip to ALCS |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310201526/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061006&content_id=1702380&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Zito did not fare as well in Game 1 of the [[2006 American League Championship Series|AL Championship Series]] (ALCS) against the Tigers, allowing five runs over {{frac|3|2|3}} innings in a 5–1 defeat.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061010&content_id=1707638&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=Zito hit hard as A's drop ALCS Game 1 |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=October 11, 2006 |access-date=November 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208102427/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061010&content_id=1707638&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The Tigers went on to sweep the Athletics in four games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Urban |first=Mychael |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061014&content_id=1712903&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |title=A's fight hard, but can't avoid sweep |work=[[MLB.com|Athletics.MLB.com]] |date=October 14, 2006 |access-date=November 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208125757/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061014&content_id=1712903&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Zito replaced his agent [[Arn Tellem]] with [[Scott Boras]] in July 2006.<ref name=agents>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/07/08/zito.boras/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717062307/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/07/08/zito.boras/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2006 |title=Zito drops agent Tellem for Boras| last=Heyman| first=Jon| magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]| date=July 8, 2006|access-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref> Zito was a focal point of the 2006 trade deadline, and was widely rumored to be headed to the Mets in a potential deal for prospect [[Lastings Milledge]]. [[Susan Slusser]] of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' wrote that if the Mets were unwilling to trade Milledge, the Athletics might be interested in [[Aaron Heilman]] and [[John Maine]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Slusser |first=Susan |url=http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/A-S-NOTEBOOK-Trying-to-figure-what-Beane-will-2515249.php |title=A'S NOTEBOOK / Trying to figure what Beane will do by Monday |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=July 27, 2006 |access-date=October 16, 2013}}</ref> However, Athletics' general manager [[Billy Beane]] decided to keep Zito for the rest of the season.<ref name="MLB">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=217096 |title=Barry Zito Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio |work=[[MLB.com]] |access-date=October 16, 2013}}</ref>