Papelbon Looked Much Better Tonight

OK, even after what I wrote yesterday about Jonathan Papelbon, I have to acknowledge that he pitched great tonight! Tonight, after a masterful performance by Jon Lester over eight innings, Papelbon came in to preserve a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning. As NESN analyst Dennis Eckersley pointed out, it seemed that Papelbon was particularly focused on the task at hand tonight. He seemed to feel the fragility of the 1-0 lead - and he performed as well as he has all year. His fastball was moving again. A handful of his pitches reached 97 mph - a level Papelbon does not usually reach. He was moving his heater inside, outside and up in the zone to make batters swing. The Boston Globe's Tony Maserotti just commented on NESN that he thought Papelbon tonight looked like he has the past few years - at the top of his game, throwing with a bit more velocity and requiring little time (and less pitches) to get three outs.
So, how does one explain the Papelbon of tonight vs. Wednesday night? Tom Caron of NESN just remarked that Papelbon apparently didn't get his normal time to warm up in Wednesday night's game. Who knows?
I think one aspect is clear: Papelbon often pitches better when he has rested the night before. When he throws in back-to-back games, he's sometimes a bit less sharp and some of his fastballs are more likely to have a bit less zip. I agree with what Maserotti just said: That Papelbon is much more effective when his velocity is a bit higher --- 96, let's say, rather than 93 or 94, the speed of a fair number of his fastballs this year. Plus, for whatever the reason, some nights this year, he has the "late life" and other nights, he does not.
I still stand on my points from last night, but, after tonight, I'd add this: The Red Sox should treat Papelbon with extra care and precautions and give him as much rest as possible. The disparity in his outings - highlighted by his brilliance tonight - underscores that point.