Barry Zito, Tim Lincecum in line to start NLCS Games 4 and 5

Bruce Bochy has yet to announce his pitchers for Game 4 or 5 of the NLCS. (Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he won't make a decision on his Game 4 and Game 5 starters until after Monday's second game of the National League Championship Series at the earliest.

Matt Cain will start Game 3 in St. Louis on Wednesday afternoon. But after that, the team's rotation is up in the air. Bochy said Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito would possibly start those games but only if Lincecum doesn't pitch in relief on Monday.

"[Lincecum] pitched two innings last night [and] told me last night he's good to go [Monday] if needed," Bochy said before Game 2. "That will determine what could happen. But we have Timmy and Zito ready to go. I can't answer that right now until we head to St. Louis."

Lincecum has made three relief appearances this postseason, including two no-hit innings on Sunday in the series opener. Overall, he has allowed only three hits and one run in 8 1/3 innings after a disastrous season in the rotation.

"He's had a great attitude about this, and I think that's one of the reasons he's thrown so well," Bochy said. "He didn't hesitate when he said, 'I'm good with that.' You have to accept your role to be good at it, just like a role player during the season. Some of them want to play every day. They're not happy on the bench; you probably won't get good production. Same thing with a pitcher. He wants to start, and he's in the bullpen. He's probably not going to be content with that, but Timmy wants to do whatever he can to help us win."

Following Sunday's game, Lincecum said he felt comfortable to start and throw six or seven innings if asked to do so but hadn't yet been asked to do so.

Zito started Game 4 of the NL Division Series in Cincinnati, allowed two runs on four hits and walking four in only 2 2/3 innings. He needed 76 pitches to get through the 16 batters that he faced. The Giants have won Zito's last 12 starts, starting with his Aug. 7 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnBaseball on Twitter, subscribe to the RSS feed and "like" us on Facebook.