Jane Heller

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

This Is Ridiculous!

Let me get this straight. Hicks is not coming back this season and most likely having TJ surgery. And now, after the Yankees swept yesterday’s doubleheader in Detroit, we learn that Encarnaion (oblique), Sanchez (groin – again) and Happ (bicep – he’s had it for weeks) were sent back to New York for tests? And oh, by the way, Judge slammed into the wall (says he’s ok but who knows) and Kahnle (slammed his hand in frustration and needed his fingers examined) had problems too.

Do these players’s bodies not realize the Yankees are now in the home stretch? That’s we’re fighting tooth and nail for home field advantage? That we’d really, truly prefer not to be eliminated early in the playoffs and, in fact, would dearly love to win a championship?

Sanchez, Encarnacion and Happ are crucial to the Yankees’s success – crucial – as is Hicks, although we’ve managed to win without him. Sure, it’ll be great having a healthy Severino back if he’s able to pitch at the level of ace-dom – and Betances if he can return as the reliever who can bring heat and command. But jeez, I was really bummed after last night’s news.

Onto Toronto and God knows who goes down next.

How Sweep It Is

Any Yankees sweep is great, but a four-game sweep against the Red Sox at the Stadium? Extra special. I loved watching the barrage of offense against Price – what fun. There was nail biting as Happ seemed to lose it and the score tightened, but the Yanks prevailed and put even more distance between the teams in the standings.

Of course, there were more injuries. I cannot believe how many players have been dropping like flies this season, more so lately, it seems. It wasn’t horrible enough that Encarnacion fractured his wrist thanks to the hit-by-pitch? We had to lose Hicks too? And coming on the heels of Voit, who may be having surgery for his hernia? And then Torres, who has been on fire lately and hits great at Camden Yards where the Yankees play next, has a “core issue” that needs evaluating? Oh, and let’s not forget Gio, who fouled not one but two balls off his legs last night. JEEZ. It’s great that the call-ups have been filling in so well, but COME ON. In the long run, we need guys to be healthy!

In the meantime, I’m reveling in last night’s sweep and hoping the momentum will carry into Baltimore.

Curses, Verlander Again


I didn’t have high hopes for a four-game sweep of the Astros, despite the roll the Yankees have been on. Not with Verlander on the mound yesterday. Sadly, I was right. He was solid and Happ was not. (What is it with Happ anyway? He can be very good and then awful; consistency has not been his hallmark.)

But I’ve been trying not to dwell on the loss and look ahead to facing the Blue Jays, Despite their lowly place in the standings, they’ve always been a tough division rival, and the Yanks must beat them before heading to the UK for what I consider a ridiculous series against the Red Sox. I mean, I get that MLB wants to expand the audience for the sport. But do the British people really care about baseball? I was fine when teams played in Japan, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Those countries have a baseball legacy and major league teams have players from those countries. But how many Brits are in the majors right now? Who needs the Yanks to come back with jet leg and have to plunge right back into the pennant race?

But I digress. As for the here and now, I’m disappointed that Maybin has joined the injured list. He made a real contribution to the team. And I’m overjoyed that Mo hit an inside-the-parker during the Old Timer’s game. How cool was that!

Tonight It Begins

Fenway

Question: How many seconds will it take for Red Sox fans to chant “Yankees suck?”

I don’t like Fenway Park. It’s cramped and weird. And whenever the Yankees play there, I have flashbacks to the tragic losses instead of the triumphant wins. I need an attitude adjustment.

For this important series – still excited that we made it through the WC to the ALDS – I vow to think positively, to remind myself of our power hitters and our superlative (when “on”) starters and relievers, to remember that Chris Sale hasn’t been lights out lately and might be more vulnerable than in past outings, to note that Boston’s bullpen isn’t as good as ours, to tell myself that while the Sox have had a layoff waiting for the WC to be resolved, they might be a bit rusty and the Yankees are on a roll with true momentum. And finally I will tell myself that Happ has a great record against the Sox.

I will also breathe deeply throughout the day to prepare myself for tonight’s game. I fervently wish it wasn’t TBS that was televising the series – they’re really, profoundly awful – but I’m grateful the Yankees are in it.

Let’s get this!

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