(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees will try to climb out of the basement of the AL East when they take on the Kansas City Royals in the second matchup of a four-game series in the Bronx.

Going for the Yankees today will be Andy Pettitte. The veteran southpaw has seen his share of peaks and valleys this season, and comes into this contest with an even 5-5 ledger with a 4.21 ERA.

The last time Pettitte was on the hill, the 35-year-old went seven innings against Minnesota, and surrendered five runs on 10 hits. Despite the mediocre showing, Pettitte did not factor in the 6-5 setback.

Pettitte's struggles this season have surprisingly come at home, where he is just 1-3 with a 4.60 ERA.

Throughout his career against the Royals, Pettitte has been outstanding, posting a 12-3 mark in 20 appearances with a superb 3.05 ERA. Earlier this season the crafty veteran continued his dominance over KC, tossing 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run, while scattering five hits, en route to a victory.

The Royals are hoping Brian Bannister will finally get back on track when he toes the rubber this afternoon. Since storming out of the gates to start the season with a 3-0 mark, the right-hander is just 2-6 in his last nine starts.

However, one of those two victories came this past Monday, as the 27-year-old was brilliant against Cleveland, limiting the Indians to just one run on five hits in 7 1/3 innings.

The real problem for Bannister this year has been his performances on the road, as he is currently 1-4 with an atrocious 8.44 ERA away from home. In 26 2/3 innings away from Kauffman Stadium, Bannister has been roped for 25 runs on 37 hits and has been tagged for five home runs.

This will be the second start for Bannister against the Bronx Bombers. Earlier this year, he struck out six batters, and allowed just two runs in five innings of work.

On Friday, Kyle Davies threw 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, as the Royals edged New York, 2-1.

Davies (2-0) allowed seven hits and fanned three batters in his time on the hill. Joakim Soria worked around a single in the ninth to earn his 13th save of the year.

Miguel Olivo had three singles for the Royals, who had lost 11 in a row on the road coming in. Jose Guillen and Mike Aviles each had two hits and scored a run in the win.

Darrell Rasner (3-3) took the loss, despite going eight innings and giving up just two runs on nine hits while striking out four.

Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez each had two hits for the Yankees, who have dropped four of their last six games. Robinson Cano also had two hits and scored New York's lone run.

The Royals have also fared very poorly at Yankee Stadium over the years, having amassed a 3-22 record as the visitor in this series since 2001.