Paul Smyth is clearly the story of the bullpen early this year. It's been mentioned by Josh and I in articles in the Kansan that the senior closer, whose ten saves last season were good enough for a top five rank in school history, has seen immense struggles in his first two appearances. If anyone can find me a pitcher that's ever looked good while racking up an ERA over 20, well, you're biased for that guy, because it's never happened.

But don't fear, Smyth will be back. This happens with closers. They lose games. They struggle. They bounce back (see: Lidge, Brad). Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery and maybe a trip back home will do it for Smyth. When the Jayhawks play North Dakota and Northwestern at home next week, he will certainly get the ball at least once. Don't be surprised if he returns to form in Hoglund.

On the other side of the coin for the Jayhawks, they've seen some excellent performances from the rest of the staff, obviously highlighted by Shaeffer Hall's season-opening no-hitter. But for T.J. Walz to come out and mow down the Memphis Tigers with only 72 pitches in 7 innings the next game was impressive in its own right. Walz, who by his own admission had struggles keeping his pitch count down in the fall, certainly would have laid unquestioned claim to the No. 2 spot behind Hall had it not been for the follow-up performance by juco transfer Cameron Selik, who went 6.2 innings and, like Walz, allowed two runs. Discounting Smyth's uncharacteristic implosion, the Kansas 'pen was spectacular that first weekend. The three other relievers to throw--Brett Bochy, Colton Murray and Thomas Marcin--went a combined 3.2 shutout innings, allowing only three runs.

-Tim Dwyer