As of today (4/25/11) the two back end relievers of the tigers have remarkably similar levels of pitching performance, but quite different results in the "counting stats".  Both Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde have so far earned their keep in this new season. 

Who                           IP       G     H     BB      K      ER     ERA     W     L     SVO    SV

Joaquin Benoit           9.2      10    5      1        6       1       0.93      0      0        1         0

Jose Valverde            9.2      10    7      2        9       1      0.93       2      0        5          5

First - great start to the season for both of these.  Hard to argue that either is doing better than the other (1 ER each!!!), but look at those last 4 columns.  There is something to be said for opportunity. 

Hope that we keep getting great relief pitching from the back end (although of course we will see some regression to their average performance over the long season).  Enjoy it while we have it.  By the way, we need to get a good nickname for Benoit.