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| Bailey: Back And Ready |
Although he wasn't needed to close on Monday night,
Andrew Bailey is ready. Pronouncing himself feeling, "as good today as I did day one", the reliever was aching to get back into action. With
Joel Hanrahan lost for the season (and likely forever as a member of the Red Sox) with
Tommy John surgery, Bailey's effectiveness at the end of games is a prerequisite for this team's contention down the road. If Bailey can stay healthy and perform to the level he did in Oakland (and even earlier this year), Boston has a chance to be a contender. Without that stability at the back end of the 'pen, they will go nowhere. Given the instability at this position since
Jonathan Papelbon left for free agency, it makes you wonder whether
Ben Cherington should have given Paps whatever he wanted to prevent him from
"Shipping Out Of Boston".
