• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Yankees seek return to usual second-half form

Aug 17, 2008 - 7:02 AM Kansas City (55-68) at NY Yankees (65-58) 1:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Wins in the second half haven't come as easily for the New York Yankees as they have in past years. On Sunday, they hope to continue the turnaround.

The Yankees eye their first series win this month when they battle the Kansas City Royals.

Entering their second half, New York had reason to believe it could turn it on as it has every other season this decade. The Yankees sported a combined .618 (370-229) winning percentage after the All-Star break from 2000-2007.

With the Yankees 28 games into this second half, the wins have not come as easy, in large part because they have gone 0-3-2 over their last five series since taking two of three against Boston July 25-27. Saturday's 3-2, 13-inning triumph over the Royals improved them to 15-13 since the "Midsummer Classic."

However, New York has a strong chance to change that trend if Mike Mussina (15-7, 3.30 ERA) can continue his string of strong performances. The righthander is seeking to become the second American League pitcher to reach the 16-win plateau.

After winning his previous two starts, Mussina did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 9-6 triumph over Baltimore, when he allowed three runs and eight hits over seven frames.

On the other hand, Brian Bannister (7-11, 5.36) would like nothing more than to snap his five-game losing streak. The righthander has not won since June 23 and, on Tuesday, he didn't receive any help from his offense, surrendering four runs and four hits over seven innings, striking out seven in a 9-0 setback to the White Sox.