--RHP Bobby Jenks said being a big-league closer isn't the easiest job in the world, as evidenced by the fact that Jason Isringhausen and Eric Gagne are the latest two closers to lose their jobs. "It's more mental than anything physical," Jenks said. "It's obviously not an easy job and that's why not everyone can do it. Look at a guy like Eric Gagne. I mean he still looks like his stuff has bounced back from the injuries, but somewhere along the line he's lost his confidence. Once that happens, you're done. That's what the business of a closer is about." Jenks said his secret is simple. "You have to go out there every day and tell yourself, 'There's no one on this team that can beat me,'" the right-hander said. "I mean, I have as much fun as anyone on this team, but once it comes game time, I know when to turn it on."

--C A.J. Pierzynski said he obviously wished his team was hitting better and taking advantage of slow starts by both division favorites Detroit and Cleveland, but he still likes where the Sox sit right now. The main reason is that while every team in the Central has flaws, the Sox pitching has the potential to be the best. "It always comes down to pitching," Pierzynski said. "It seems the best pitching usually wins. The bullpen supports the starters, the starters relieve the bullpen of some work, it's a combination. It's the total picture, not just only the starters or only the bullpen."

--OF Jermaine Dye was back in the starting lineup Monday, one day after sitting to get a breather in Seattle. Nick Swisher had been moved over so that Brian Anderson could start in center field in Dye's absence, but Anderson was back on the bench in the game against the Angels.

--DH Jim Thome is expected to get some work at first base during batting practice this week, but it could be very limited. With interleague play coming up in San Francisco this weekend, manager Ozzie Guillen wants Thome to play at least one game, but at the same time not put pressure on his chronic back problems in getting ready for that one game. "I hope not," Guillen replied when asked if Thome would get extra work there this week. "Everybody thinks first base is easy. First base is not an easy position because you have to move around every time the pitcher throws the ball. If there's a groundball, you have to move. I don't expect him to be a Gold Glover there for one day, just catch and throw. I told him to make sure when he works out, don't overdo it."

--INF/OF Alexei Ramirez should get enough at-bats to keep him fresh, manager Ozzie Guillen said, but with OF Brian Anderson emerging as a reliable reserve, it will get tougher and tougher to find chances for Ramirez. Considered a fourth outfielder at the start of the season, Ramirez has lost that role to Anderson.

BY THE NUMBERS
0.90 -- ERA for veteran reliever Scott Linebrink over his last nine games entering the week. The Sox were criticized around the league because there was a perception that they overpaid for the free agent.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"The pitching is carrying us all year long. Our pitching has kept us in the game and given us a chance to win. Our staff has been great, especially the bullpen. I have so much confidence in them, it's fun to manage that way." -- Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, on the quality job his entire pitching staff has been doing so far.

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