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2011 Statistics:

Player A:  19.2 IP, 5 ER, 27 K, 3 BB

Player B:  24.2IP, 10 ER, 24 K, 7 BB

One of the more shocking revelations this season is that Player A has been the more productive reliever for your Boston Red Sox.   It's a reversal of fortune that NO Red Sox fan saw coming.  We didn't think it was possible.  When the season ended last year there was a segment of the fan base that was bitter Theo didn't ship this declining reliever out of town at the trade deadline.  His goal of hitting free agency, as opposed to working on his pitching repertoire was enough to anger any fan.  His talk of being the highest paid reliever was laughable.

Player A is obviously Jonathan Papelbon and not Daniel Bard, who most Sox fans this offseason were hoping would be ushered into the closer's role.  He has been outstanding so far and when you compare the numbers from the month of May this year and the month of May last year there are significant differences.  The first being his strikeout to walk ratio is much better this year and he’s been much more dependable this year.  I’m not a pitching coach, but he seems to have better command of his pitches and he’s actually using more than just his fastball this year.  He had turned into a one trick pony last year with a low 90’s fastball and it’s tough to be successful with one average pitch.   Last year Papelbon was the one walking batters, giving up home runs and looking shaky in crucial situations.  Here’s the comparison:

2010: 0-2 and 5 saves, 10 IP, 4 ER, 8 K, 3 BB, 2 HR, 3.60 ERA

2011: 2-0 and 3 saves, 10.1, 3ER, 15 K, 1 BB, 0 HR, 2.61 ERA

Then there’s Daniel Bard who has shown his mortality this year.  He just doesn’t seem the same.  His fastball doesn’t seem to have the same pop as last year and his off-speed stuff has been a little…off.  He’s obviously extremely talented, but it seems like he’s having some trouble between the ears.  He doesn’t have that same confidence.  Here’s his month of May comparison:

2010:  1-0 and 1 save, 11.1 IP, 1 ER, 11 K, 6 BB, 0 HR, .79 ERA

2011:  1-1 and no saves, 12.1 IP, 5 ER, 12 K, 4 BB, 3 HR, 3.65 ERA

Could it be the change behind the plate?  Is he simply in a slump?  Has the league started to figure him out?  I think he’s simply in a slump and his stuff is too good to struggle like he has.  I will say that last night was an eye opener though.  That’s not what you’re accustomed to seeing and it blew a chance to vault the Sox into first place with the Yankees and Rays losing last night.  The good thing is they have 4 months of baseball left, but blowing games in May is just as damaging as blowing games in September.  Hopefully now that the Rapture has passed, Bard will be able to clear his head and get back to his 2010 self.