At the halfway mark, Yankees see a route toward a turnaround

NEW YORK – Today is game 81, the halfway point of the year.

And let’s face it, any citizen of Yankees Universe would have signed to be three games out of first place and six games over .500 – with five All-Star selections and a possible sixth – on opening day.

But the Yankees’ 14 losses in their last 19 games has thrown a wrench into a surprising season, one in which the young Yankees have raised expectations and reached contender status ahead of schedule.

All-Stars:Judge leads pack of Yankees to Miami

Gamer:Astros sink Yankees to three games out in East

Notebook:Warren, Sabathia on deck

"I think we’re in a frustrating part of our year. This week is really important for us to get things turned around and win games we’re supposed to win," manager Joe Girardi said, with a reference to the 15 blown saves by the Yanks’ bullpen – the team’s biggest strength entering the season.

So, with Masahiro Tanaka on the mound, the Yanks’ "really important" week begins tonight, a six-game homestand that takes them to the All-Star break.

First, the last-place Blue Jays – just swept three games at home by the AL East-leading Red Sox – arrive for three games, followed by an off day and an interleague visit by the Brewers.

"We’ll be playing at home, I know our fans will be out there to support us and be excited for us to get back to the Bronx," Brett Gardner said of the Yankees’ week to right the ship before the break. "Overall, we’ve had a good first half and we don’t need to beat ourselves up too much.

"We just need to get back to the way we’re capable of playing."

And here’s what’s helping to fuel that hope: The Yankees expect to activate both CC Sabathia and Adam Warren on Tuesday, with the veteran lefty starting against Toronto and the right-handed reliever available to support a leaky pen.

Girardi mentioned that getting some of the "instrumental" pieces of the Yanks’ first-half success back in place is a key element to a turnaround. And that includes Starlin Castro (hamstring), who could return as early as Friday against Milwaukee.

"There’s a real fight here and that’s important…and I love that about them. They’re going to fight all the time," Girardi said of his club. Plus, "a three-week period doesn’t make a season. We have an opportunity to turn things around."

That new opportunity begins at Yankee Stadium tonight.