How will White Sox relievers react once they're called upon?



Closer Bobby Jenks, a rookie, hasn't pitched for two weeks.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Here's the joke going around the Chicago White Sox's bullpen: The relievers have done so little work, they're wondering if they'll get full World Series shares.
Yuk. Yuk.
If it seems like a while since rookie closer Bobby Jenks last pitched, when he saved Game 3 of the AL division series against Boston with his 100 mph fastball, it has. His lengthy mound layoff reached two weeks Friday. And counting.
Seem like a long time?
"It does, but it went quick," Jenks said Friday. "If that makes sense."
Sort of. Considering the performance of Chicago's starters in the AL championship series -- four straight complete games -- little about the pitching has followed a norm.
Seven pitches
When Neal Cotts recorded two outs in Game 1 against the Angels, throwing a whopping seven pitches, that's all the work White Sox relievers got in the five-game series.
On the plane ride home, pitching coach Don Cooper facetiously thanked bullpen coach Art Kusnyer for all his good work
"I told him, 'Way to go, you had those guys ready to throw those seven pitches,' " Cooper said.
If the White Sox are happy with the dominating performance by starters Jose Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland and Freddy Garcia, who could blame them for being a little concerned about the rust on their relievers when the Astros come to town for the first two games?
Sure, they've been throwing simulated games since clinching the pennant last Sunday and warmed up in the bullpen during the ALCS, but getting on the mound with different-colored uniform in the batter's box is a completely different assignment -- especially on baseball's ultimate stage.
"Every individual has been attended to," Cooper said. "But you can't simulate what it's like unless you pump 50,000 people into the stands."
Adrenalin and electricity
Cooper has emphasized this to all of his pitchers: Channel what you feel into your pitches.
"It doesn't really matter if you had two minutes or two weeks," he said.
"The adrenalin and electricity will be a highest level and they are going to feel strong. It's about controlling that strength and controlling that energy," he said.
Jenks might really have to follow that advice. His pitches take off, almost explode, as they reach the plate. And the last thing the White Sox need is a 24-year-old rookie, who began the season in Double-A, having trouble with control late in a World Series game.
"I don't know about most guys. I can stay sharp even though I get a few days off like this," Jenks said. "I'll see tomorrow, but right now I'm very calm and very relaxed about what is going on. I'm soaking it all in right now."
Expect the bullpen to get more work against the Astros, especially when the Series shifts to Houston and there is no designated hitter. That means manager Ozzie Guillen may not be able to leave his starters in as long because they have to hit. And if he needs a pinch-hitter to spark a rally, they're out. And finally, the relievers could be in.