(Best E Casino) - The New York Yankees hope to put a disastrous road trip behind them this evening when they play the first of three games against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees finished their 10-game trek with just three wins after closing the trip by losing two of three to the Minnesota Twins, including a 4-2 loss on Wednesday at the Metrodome.

To make matters worse the Yankees lost starter Joba Chamberlain with a shoulder injury on the trip, while his replacement, Dan Giese, was also shelved with a shoulder ailment of his own.

New York's recent struggles have dropped it 9 1/2 games back in the American League East and 6 1/2 behind in the wild card chase, putting a damper on the team's chances of reaching the postseason for a 14th consecutive campaign.

The Yankees played Wednesday's finale without captain Derek Jeter, who sustained a foot injury in Tuesday's thrilling extra-inning win, but the star shortstop is expected back in the lineup this evening.

New York hopes left-hander Andy Pettitte can not only right its ship, but his own as well. Pettitte, who is winless in his last three starts, was better his previous time out on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 4-3 loss.

Pettitte, who is 12-9 with a 4.32 ERA this season, has had success in his career against the Royals, winning his last seven decisions against them and going 12-3 with a 3.58 ERA in 21 games, 19 of which have been starts. However, Kansas City battered him the last time it faced him, reaching him for 10 runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings. New York's offense, though, took him off the hook and Pettitte did not get a decision in the 12-11 win.

Kansas City will counter with righty Gil Meche, who is 10-9 with a 4.24 ERA this season, but has won his last four decisions since the All-Star break. Meche did not get a decision on Sunday against Minnesota, as the Twins managed four runs and five hits off of him in 6 1/3 frames of his team's 5-4 win.

The Royals have won Meche's last seven starts.

Meche is 3-4 lifetime against the Yankees with a 4.64 ERA in 12 starts.

Kansas City comes into tonight's tilt having lost seven of its last eight after getting swept in a three-game set by the Chicago White Sox, including a 9-2 setback in Thursday's finale.

Jose Guillen drove in both runs for the Royals, while Kyle Davies (5-4) gave up three runs on nine hits in five innings of work to pick up his second straight loss.

The Royals have won four of their seven matchups with the Yankees this season.