CLEVELAND -- The New York Yankees finished the first half of the season at an appropriately mediocre 44-44. To make the playoffs, they probably need to win 44 more games in the second half. That would mean they can lose only 30. That's tough to imagine; especially with a schedule that begins with a 10-game homestand against the Red Sox, Orioles and Giants before a trip to Houston.
Nonetheless, after taking three of four from the Cleveland Indians, they are feeling a little better. Let's take an accounting of the first half and look ahead to the second half as we hand out our first-half awards.