Jane Heller

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

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Party On!

October 4, 2017

Yes, it’s another old picture, but last night’s game ended too late for me to pop champagne. Suffice it to say I was celebrating in my mind. The Yankees are going to the ALDS!!!!

The game was such a bummer in the beginning. Severino was clearly overawed/nervous/too pumped, not to mention too inexperienced to start a one-game wild card playoff with everything on the line. He’s a kid. Too much pressure on him, as good as he’s been this season. He got knocked around in the first, couldn’t locate, couldn’t get outs – until he was out, and thank God. I kept yelling, “Pull him, Joe!”

And Joe listened. Chad Green was superb in early relief, truly. His strikeouts were huge, setting up a chance for the Yanks to come back in the bottom of the first (bless you, Didi; Gardner too). Of course, Judge had a homer as well in his first postseason game, because Judge has destiny on his side. Everyone in the Stadium crowd seemed to be wearing #99 on their backs. I loved that the pitch before the homer was up and in by Santana, and Judge glared at him – just as Gardner did – before taking him deep.

And then there was D-Rob. I hope his arm doesn’t fall off. He was a trooper, pitching so well for so long when he’s used to one or maybe two innings, no more. He got us through to the other relievers, who held the Twins scoreless the rest of the way. Sure, we burned the bullpen, which doesn’t bode well for the future, but that’s how it goes when you’re fighting for a spot in the ALDS.

I would love to have seen the Yankees do more scoring after the flurry early, just to give myself some breathing room and to let Joe use the mop-up guys in the pen, but I’m not complaining. I’ve been tough on Joe this season, but he made all the right moves last night.

Well, I am complaining, but it’s ESPN I’m mad at. Number one: why must the games start at 8pm and drag on forever thanks to their zillion commercials? And the commentary is mind-numbing; the trio in the booth never shut up.

But now it’s on to Cleveland and the start time on Thursday night is 7:30 on FS1. My Tribe fan friend tells me it’s supposed to pour that night. She also said she’s hoping for midges; it’s that time of year. The Yankees’ path to victory against the Indians won’t be easy (ugh- Cory Kluber), but we’ll see. We know how to deal with midges now, and it’s not bug spray.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Aaron Judge, ALDS, Brett Gardner, Chad Green, Cleveland Indians, David Robertson, Didi Gregorius, Luis Severino, midges, Twins, Wild Card, Yankees

The Baby Bombers Continue to Impress

August 22, 2016

 

Photo:  Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Photo: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Gary Sanchez is not a fluke. Since he was called up, all he’s done is hit, whether as DH or as catcher. He was instrumental in both wins in Anaheim against the Angels, Friday and Saturday night, and has made himself an essential part of “the New Yankees.” It was too late for me to watch the Angels series here on the East Coast, but I loved waking up and reading about the wins and how Sanchez played a role in each one.

Ditto: Aaron Judge, Ronald Torreyes, Luis Cessa and Chad Green. Judge continued his offense. Torreyes, though little used, got his chance at third base when Headley got hurt and took advantage of it. Cessa pitched brilliantly on Saturday night. And Green was terrific last night but received no run support.

All the fuss about the kids isn’t to say we haven’t gotten better play out of the veterans. Both Ellsbury and Gardner made spectacular leaping grabs in the outfield. Tanaka pitched well on Friday night. And McCann contributed a homer.

I was hoping the Yanks would sweep the Angels, a bad team this year, but it wasn’t to be, and last night’s loss thwarted their chances to move closer to a Wild Card spot. They really can’t afford to lose at this point.

So while they’re in Seattle for the series starting tonight and I’m fast asleep, I hope they’re pummeling the Mariners.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Aaron Judge, Angels, Baby Bombers, Chad Green, Gary Sanchez, Luis Cessa, Ronald Torreyes, Yankees

Chad Green?

July 4, 2016

Photo: Elsa/Getty Images North America
Photo: Elsa/Getty Images North America

Yes, Chad Green. The rookie was our savior in the finale yesterday against the Padres. Yes, the Padres, the lowly Padres, who beat the Yankees in a couple of heartbreakers in Games 1 and 2. Why we don’t beat the teams we’re supposed to beat beats me, but at least we salvaged the last game with the help of Betances and Chapman and – surprisingly – two homers by Teixeira, including homer #400. Maybe the California weather agrees with him. I’ve come to stop counting on him for his power or even for his presence in the lineup, but he certainly delivered both yesterday.

Miller and the AWOL offense were the problems in Game 2, and Evo was just awful in Game 1 – again. What happened to that guy? Earlier in the season, it looked as if he was going to be a solid, even great, starter for us. Now? He loses. That’s what he does. He gives up runs, particularly homers, and put the Yankees hitters in a hole from which they usually can’t come back.

And so the season of mediocrity continues in Chicago for a July 4th matinee. We’re almost at the All-Star break. Are the Yankees buyers or sellers? Or, in the case of A-Rod, releasers? We’ll know soon enough.

 

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Chad Green, Mark Teixeira, Nathan Eovaldi, Padres, Yankees

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About Jane Heller

Jane Heller is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her fourteen breezy, witty novels of romantic comedy and suspense are now entertaining millions of readers around the world, along with her two books of nonfiction.

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