CHICAGO -- Scott Linebrink has been stellar out of the White Sox bullpen this season, but that's not all he's been doing. He's a leader for the unit, a role that isn't limited to his time on the field.

The right-handeder has been imparting his baseball wisdom on the younger relievers, and the results, so far, are positive.

"I do what I can," Linebrink said. "I talk to the younger guys a little bit -- the things that were passed on to me from guys like Trevor Hoffman and Rudy Seanez in San Diego. You learn from them and try to pass it on to some of the younger ones."

It is perhaps exactly what the White Sox bullpen needed, leading the group to a renaissance of sorts this season. In 2007, the relief staff combined for a 5.49 ERA, while the 2008 version is at a very respectable 3.31.

More importantly, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has a handful of relievers he can rely upon late in games.

And Linebrink has stood out.

"You see Linebrink in the meetings, and he's the only one taking notes while we're talking," Guillen said. "He's got a couple guys under his wing out there, and he believes in what he does. It's amazing a guy can get you so much freedom. He's a leader out there."

Linebrink possesses a 1.29 ERA over 21 innings this season. He hasn't given up a run in his last 11 appearances, dating back to April 28.

The White Sox have dropped two straight to Anaheim, but the relievers have not allowed a run in four innings during the series. If the White Sox can get a lead Sunday night, Linebrink likely will get the call to help preserve it.

Pitching matchup
CWS: RHP Jose Contreras (5-3, 3.17 ERA)
Contreras has looked sharp in his last three starts, allowing just one earned run in each. His ERA lowered to a very respectable 3.17 after his fifth quality start of the season in the series opener against Cleveland on Tuesday. In that game, he lasted six innings and struck out four. And despite a mediocre strikeout-to-walk ratio during his current groove, Contreras has limited opponents to just 14 hits in his last three starts. Of those hits, none have left the park. Contreras has allowed only two home runs this season.

LAA: RHP John Lackey (1-0, 1.29 ERA)
It didn't take Lackey long to recapture his All-Star form. Lackey showed his toughness in his second outing, keeping the Jays scoreless after Brad Wilkerson's leadoff homer Tuesday night in Toronto. He struck out six and walked three while yielding seven hits in seven innings. Lackey's return does wonders for club morale -- and the bullpen. Lackey is 3-4 with a 3.97 career ERA in 10 starts against the White Sox, and 2-2 with a 5.16 ERA at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tidbits
Due to FOX-TV's contractual agreement with Major League Baseball, the White Sox-Rays game on May 31 at Tropicana Field cannot air live on Comcast SportsNet until 6:05 p.m. CT, because the 5:05 start falls within the network's exclusivity window, and no other game can be televised live while FOX's national game is on the air. The White Sox requested that Tampa Bay move the start time back to avoid the window, but that request was denied by the Rays because the stadium needs to accommodate a concert later that night. The team also petitioned MLB to have FOX waive its exclusivity window, but the request was turned down. Comcast SportsNet will air a one-hour "Spotlight on the Sox" special from 5-6 p.m. that will include a live update ticker until the telecast is joined live. ... The White Sox were shut out for the fifth time this season on Saturday, and it was the first time at home since a 6-0 loss on Aug. 12, 2007, against Seattle. ... John Danks has received seven runs of support over his last six starts. ... Sox starters are 5-2 with a 1.98 ERA in their last 10 games.

Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• ESPN

On radio
• WSCR 670

Up next
• Monday: White Sox (Javier Vazquez, 5-3, 3.43) at Indians (Paul Byrd, 2-4, 4.10), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 2-5, 4.82) at Indians (Aaron Laffey, 2-3, 1.60), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: White Sox (Gavin Floyd, 4-3, 2.93) at Indians (Fausto Carmona, 4-2, 3.10), 11:05 a.m. CT