Red Sox at the halfway point

A recipe for middle relief It's been another mixed season for Theo Epstein's latest attempt to build a solid bullpen. New acquisitions Bobby Jenks (left) and Dan Wheeler have struggled to stay on the field. Hideki Okajima was released. Matt Albers has been a pleasant surprise, checking in with a 3.03 ERA in 29.2 innings of bullpen duty. Daniel Bard has had a few rough outings, but has been the lights-out fireballer more often than not. The 26-year-old Bard (right) continues to strike out more than a batter per inning to go along with a 2.33 ERA in 36 appearances as Jonathan Papelbon's primary setup man.
Jim Davis / Globe File Photo

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By Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff

A recipe for middle relief

It's been another mixed season for Theo Epstein's latest attempt to build a solid bullpen. New acquisitions Bobby Jenks (left) and Dan Wheeler have struggled to stay on the field. Hideki Okajima was released. Matt Albers has been a pleasant surprise, checking in with a 3.03 ERA in 29.2 innings of bullpen duty.

Daniel Bard has had a few rough outings, but has been the lights-out fireballer more often than not. The 26-year-old Bard (right) continues to strike out more than a batter per inning to go along with a 2.33 ERA in 36 appearances as Jonathan Papelbon's primary setup man.