In the first half of this season, the Yankees needed a hug. They came out of the gates with enormous expectations, predicted by Vegas to win over 100 games. But they tripped and fell, and have had a hard time getting themselves off the ground. In April, the Yankees went 10-14, a shock to the baseball world. They, and their fans, quickly got accustomed to losing. It seemed as if everything went wrong for the Yankees. Still, after a tremendously disappointing first half, the Yankees find themselves in a very palatable position. They sit only 2 ? games behind the first-place Red Sox, their underachieving rivals. The same Red Sox with whom the Yankees start a four game series with tonight. With a sweep or even three wins in the series, the Yanks could quickly turn the tables on Boston. Who better to start the series than Mike Mussina, one of the few consistent starters for the Yankees this season, and a pitcher who normally has success versus the Red Sox.